shoulder, turning her to face him more squarely.
With sensation winging from one part of her body to the next, Julia placed her hands on his chest, feeling the fine wool of his suit followed by the slippery silk of his cravat between her fingers as she explored.
Cocking his head, the earl slanted his mouth expertly across hers, and their connection was complete.
“Mm,” she sighed before feeling the tip of his tongue touch the seam of her lips. She didn’t feign surprise. She knew about this open-mouthed kissing, and fearlessly parted to admit him.
The first touch of his tongue against her own did, in fact, shock her. It was hot and arousing and hinted of other intimacies to come. Exploring her mouth, ever so slightly he sucked her tongue, and she shivered. His hands tightened upon her.
When he drew back, she leaned toward him as if she would follow his kiss to the ends of the earth. Opening her eyes and looking into his, Julia recalled her surroundings. The dark passion swirling in the rich umber of the earl’s gaze was a little frightening. He had gone places she most certainly had not.
But now she longed to do so — with him!
“You are very good at kissing,” she said.
His eyes widened for the briefest moment, and then he leaned back, away from her, making her do the same if she wasn’t to feel an eager fool.
“I am, aren’t I?” he agreed, sounding smug.
At the same time, Julia was relieved not to detect a smirk upon his face.
Then he cocked his head. “But how can you judge my kiss unless you’ve had a few yourself?”
“That does not signify, sir. Even if I’d never had a hunk of freshly baked bread, warm from the oven and buttered within an inch of its life, that would hardly mean I couldn’t pass judgement on the deliciousness of a loaf, nor take in all that made it good — its aroma, its softness, and its taste.
He stared at her. “Miss Sudbury, you are unique.”
She hoped it was a nice uniqueness and not an off-putting one.
“Thank you.” And for want of anything else to do, she poured them each another glass of wine and wondered why he’d kissed her at that moment and whether he would do it again.
“Why did you—?” Before she could ask either question as she intended to do since they seemed to have moved into the realm of intimate familiarity, the drawing room door opened.
“Dinner, miss,” announced Mr. Dawson.
THANK GOD FOR THE INTERRUPTION! Jasper had the distinct feeling the bold female before him had been about to ask him something inappropriate. She was already too adorable by half, and he couldn’t help wondering why she was allowing him anywhere near her.
Obviously clever and in possession of all her faculties, why would she dine with an infamous libertine?
As he rose to his feet and took her arm, he couldn’t help feeling blessed by the entire evening. Never to his knowledge had a woman arranged, and so expertly, to be alone with him. And he knew down to his bones she had not told her sister. No family member would allow such an impropriety.
Yet there he was, escorting the lovely Miss Sudbury, who was shimmering in the candlelight in her exquisite silvery gown, looking like a precious jewel.
He wanted simply to stare at her. At the same time, he wanted to remove every stitch of her clothing and worship her with his hands, mouth, and body. Drawing out her chair in the pale puce and cream dining room, he had the distinct notion such a delightful event was in store for them later. And while he’d felt a heavy ache in his loins from the moment he’d discovered her by herself in the drawing room, now, it turned into a persistent throb. Assuredly, the ultimate reward was worth every pain of anticipation.
Seated at one end of the table, across from one another, they were as intimate as one could be in a formal dining room.
“Have you been here before, when Lord Worthington still lived?” she asked as the footman began to serve.
“Never. He wasn’t among my set, nor even my father’s. Perhaps my grandfather’s,” he added with a wry smile.
“He wasn’t that old,” she protested. Then blushed. “Yes, I suppose he was. Regardless, although my sister wasn’t thrilled at the prospect, her marriage turned out well.”
“Because Worthington had a meeting with old Mr. Grim and was put in his eternity box within a fortnight of