was partially hidden behind him and the plants, and then he did what he'd wanted to do all evening. He kissed her. For a moment, she stilled in his arms, but then like a flower, she opened, bloomed, and kissed him back.
Her fingers slipped around and gripped his lapels, holding him close. By God, his body roared with possession, with need. He took her lips in a punishing kiss, stepping her back farther, if only to prolong his time with her. A bark of laughter pulled him back from the brink of ruining the woman in his arms. He clasped her hand wrapped about his clothing, pulling it away. He breathed deep, putting space between them.
His breathing ragged, Sebastian watched as she too fought to control her reaction to him. Her lips were red, swollen from his touch. Her breasts rose and fell with her heightened breaths, and his body hardened. He damned the ball going on behind them that it stopped him from taking his fill. From kissing her until they were both sated, which, right at this moment, he was decidedly not.
"You should go back to your friends before you are seen behind here with me, Lady Elizabeth."
Her eyes widened farther, and then she was gone, brushing past him, the scent of lavender all that remained. Sebastian closed his eyes, breathing deep and calming his racing heart. For how long he stood there, gaining control of his emotions, of his needs, he could not say, but tomorrow, tomorrow, he would see her again. Alone this time, save her servant and for as long as they both wished.
Edinburgh had fewer eyes than London, and he was starting to enjoy his time here more than he thought he would. Winning the heart of a Scottish lass was turning out to be more enjoyable than first thought. Now he just needed to ensure he did not lose it just as his brother lost their estate.
Elizabeth paced in the front foyer of Georgina's Edinburgh home, listening for a carriage to roll to a stop out the front of the house. She stopped every now and then and peeked out the front windows beside the door, careful not to move the lace curtains that hung there, lest Lord Hastings made an appearance and she was seen as too eager.
And she was impatient to be gone, alone with his lordship. Her maid sat on a nearby chair, a book clasped tight in her hands and not the least interested in what Elizabeth was doing. After their kiss last night, she'd barely slept. The thought that he'd snuck her behind some palms and kissed her until her toes curled in her silk slippers shocked her still. Her heart beat fast at the memory of it and her stomach clenched in delicious flutters.
Would he kiss her again today? Something told her he would, that the sole reason for inviting her out on this ride was to be alone with her, just the two of them. Her maid could be distracted easily enough and not be bothered too much by what Elizabeth did. Not that she intended to ruin herself, but a kiss could not hurt, surely.
A highly sprung black, open carriage rolled to a stop, and she knew he was here. His lordship tied the reins to the carriage before jumping down with carefree ability she wished she could enjoy. Having to wear a dress most of the time stopped her from having such freedoms. But none of that mattered, not right now.
She stood at the window, admiring the sight of him walking up the steps to the front door, his dark hair falling over one eye and giving a roguish edge to his appearance.
There was a small smile playing about his mouth, and she hoped he was as eager for their outing as she was. This was her first such foray with a gentleman, and she couldn't help but hope that it was true. That he was genuine in his regard of her and wasn't playing her a fool.
It would be a great lark indeed to deceive Lucky Lizzie in her home country as well as England.
A rap on the door sounded, and she stood aside, allowed the footman to open the door. Elizabeth met Lord Hastings as he stepped onto the foyer's parquetry floor, giving him her hand. "Lord Hastings. You are most prompt," she said, not letting him know that she was as well. That for the past half hour, she had been