This kiss was nothing like that.
Powerful, possessive, it turned her body into soft clay in his hands. Her mind told her to push him away, but her heart would not allow her to do so. Instead, she placed her hands on his arms. Just as she had imagined, firm, strong muscles lay beneath.
She found herself wanting more—more kisses, more chances to touch him. And she secretly wished he thought the same.
Yet as suddenly as the kiss began, common sense returned. She pushed against his chest and pulled away. It was the most difficult thing she had ever done in her life, but it was what she had to do.
“I should alert the magistrates about your roguish behavior!” she said, grabbing the book from where he had left it. “Pray we never see one another again.”
His soft chuckle warned her insides as she hurried to the door.
“Admit it. You’re smitten with me, Miss Dunston. And I’ve bested you into silence with a single kiss.”
Louisa stopped at the door and turned to face him, her eyes narrowed to slits. Sir Aaron was leaning against the bookcase, his arms crossed over his chest in that infuriating manner that made her body heat once more. Pushing aside the distracting thoughts, she took a deep breath. “I’ll remember this night always, Sir Aaron, for it was when I realized how much I despise you!”
And with that, she hurried down the corridor to return to the ballroom.
“Did you find anything interesting?” Mrs. Rutley asked as Louisa joined her.
Louisa nodded. “I did, thank you. But I’m much more tired than I realized. Do you mind if we leave? I’m afraid I’ve spoken to all the remaining gentlemen.”
ChapterSix
“You’ve no idea how much I feared for my life!” Louisa wailed as she sat with Unity, Theodosia, and Ruth. “I attempted to break his hold on me, but he was too strong. That was when he—much to my horror—kissed me! And I must say, it had to be the worst kiss any young lady would ever receive. One would think a rogue such as he would have enough practice, but alas, that was not the case.”
It had taken her two days to work up the courage to share with her friends what had taken place at Lord Walcott’s party. Not because she feared them learning the predicament in which she had found herself but rather because she was afraid they would sense how much she had enjoyed it. To her relief, no one interrupted her. Even Ruth remained silent until she finished her telling.
“I’m no longer frightened, though my trust in men has lessened further.” She sighed heavily. “I pray that other innocent women are not held against their will as I was.”
“I don’t know,” Unity said, frowning. “Your blush is far deeper than it should be for one with your sentiment. I think you enjoyed it more than you’re letting on.”
Ruth barked a laugh. “Of course, she liked it. She’s just unwilling to accept that fact.”
Louisa gasped. “I’m accosted—and nearly kidnapped!—and you believe I enjoyed it? Not only was I betrayed by Sir Aaron, but now I’m being betrayed by those closest to me! Theodosia? Surely, you don’t agree with them.”
Theodosia sighed. “I think Ruth is right.”
“Unity?” Louisa asked, shaking her head in disbelief.
Unity stood and walked toward the door. “My opinion is that you believe you’re being truthful. But Ruth is correct. You’re enamored by him. But I must go. Amy’s expecting me to help her with her Latin.”
“Wait for me,” Theodosia called after her.
Once the door was closed, Louisa sighed. “Well, although my innocence was nearly torn away from me by a vile man, I must push on. I have other more important matters with which to concern myself. And now I’m more determined than ever to solicit more donations. I can’t allow that man to purchase the theater. It means too much to me.”
Ruth walked over to the vanity table, chose a hairpin from those Diana had left for them, and placed it in her red locks. “Are you sure you wish to go into battle with this man?” she asked. “He is a knight, after all, and the village respects him.”
Louisa snorted. “I’m scared of no man or beast, and he’s both,” she said with a firm nod. “I must find a way to stop him.”
She had never been to battle, of course. The mere sight of a spider, which she thought to be the ghastliest beast on earth, sent her into instant panic. But this was more than defeating the knight. She wished for the theater to remain, and so it would.
“Why not ask Mrs. Rutley if he may call on you.”
Louisa’s brows rose in horror. “Why would I do that?”
“It’s clear he’s attracted to you,” Ruth said, undaunted by Louisa’s harsh tone. “Do what you typically do—use your feminine wiles on him.”
Louisa gasped. “My feminine wiles? Am I to blame for the attractiveness with which I was gifted? When I smile at a man, he believes I’ve taken some sort of interest in him when I simply wish to be friendly. That means the fault lies with him and not with me.”