if I’m educated enough to speak this way and read law tomes?”
She bit her lip and shook her head. “When you put it that way it does sound awful. I’m terribly sorry. I beg your pardon.”
“No, don’t be sorry,” he replied. “Let’s just say my family and Clayton’s family have long been friendly. He did me quite a favor by employing me as a footman, however.” There. That was true, yet vague. The perfect answer.
“Of course,” Frances said. “I feel foolish for asking you to explain.”
“Think nothing of it my lady, truly.” He could hardly blame her for saying something rude to him when he was merely pretending to be a footman. As far as he was concerned, he was guilty too. Once again, he decided changing the subject was probably the best thing to do.
“Well, here they are.” He splayed his open palms toward the books. “May I help you find any one in particular?”
“No. I shouldn’t keep you any longer. I’m quite happy to poke about until I find the one I need.”
“Very well.” Lucas watched her. She seemed to want to say something else, but she’d hesitated.
“May I ask you something, Mr. Lucas?” she finally ventured.
He nodded. “Of course.”
“Have you met my maid…Albina? Downstairs perhaps?”
Lucas bit his lip while he contemplated the question. He’d met many servants downstairs, both those who were employed by Clayton and those employed by the guests, but he didn’t seem to recall the name Albina. “I don’t believe so. Why?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Frances shook her head and waved her hand in the air dismissing it. “Nevermind. Wait. I do have one more question.”
He blinked at her. “Yes?”
Her cheeks heated. “You’re not…married are you? Or otherwise engaged?”
His brows snapped together in a frown. “Of course not.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank heavens.”
Lucas smiled at her comment, then made to step past her back toward the entrance to the alcove. But she moved to the side at the same moment he did, and they both bumped straight into each other. Her head tipped back, and his chin tipped down. Their lips were mere inches apart.
He couldn’t move. He watched intently as she tucked a fallen curl behind her ear, then she lifted her gaze to his and he studied the flecks of gold in her dark orbs. His hand moved slowly of its own accord to gently cup her elbow. Her breaths increased, causing her chest to rise and fall faster. He stepped infinitesimally closer, the scent of peonies driving him mad.
He licked his lips in anticipation of the kiss.
Her tongue darted out to run over her lips as well.
He sucked in a breath. Somewhere in the back of his head, he knew he’d be crossing a line if he didn’t turn and walk away right then, but he couldn’t make himself leave her.
“Must you go so soon?” she asked, her voice a trembling whisper.
“I suppose I could stay a bit longer,” he replied, his own voice husky. “If you’d like to convince me to.”
In answer, her hands moved up his shirtfront and wrapped themselves around his neck, pulling his head down to hers. “I would like to,” she breathed.
Lucas needed no further invitation. His lips met hers, a warm press at first until he opened his mouth and slanted it across hers. His tongue slid between her lips and she moaned in the back of her throat.
Lucas went hard instantly. He pulled her body tight against his and ravaged her mouth with his. He couldn’t get enough of her. She was soft and tasted like spring, and the scent of her perfume made him want to taste her. She wrapped her arms more tightly around him as the kiss intensified. He wanted to press her back against the bookshelf, wanted to grind himself against her, but he didn’t want to scare her. She might be questioning her decision to kiss him already and any sudden movement from him might well cause her to push him away.
His hands moved down her back. Lower and then lower again. Until he pulled her against him even more tightly, a groan emanating from his throat.
Time seemed to spin as he held her and kissed her, never wanting it to end. A voice calling from somewhere in the garden intruded, making Lucas quickly come to his senses. He slowly pulled his mouth from hers and moved his hands up to cup her face. Her eyes were still closed, and her lips were pink and swollen.
He pressed a