tell nothing but the truth. I’m afraid he has his heart set on me, though. I know it must hurt to be the loser in our little game. Ta-ta.” Lily pushed Amelia out of her way and headed back toward the ballroom.
Amelia grabbed her arm. “You will step aside, is that clear?”
“You have a lot of nerve. And if I don’t?”
“You’ll be sorry.”
“I’m already sorry. Sorry that I gave more than two seconds to this conversation. Good evening.”
Anger surged through Lily when she reentered the ballroom.
Daniel came to her. “Are you feeling well?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she said. “Aren’t you going to dance with me again?”
“It’s bad form for me to monopolize you.”
“Thank God. My feet are killing me. Could we take a walk?”
“Your feet are killing you, so you want to walk?” He gave her a lazy half smile.
“Just walk me to the library or the parlor, so I can sit down in peace.”
“All right. Come on.”
He led her to the dark library and lit a lamp on a small table. Lily collapsed on a sofa.
“What I wouldn’t give for some warm water and Epsom salts right now. I’ve never danced that much in one evening. Never even half that much.”
Daniel sat down next to her and pulled her legs onto his lap. He removed her slippers and gently massaged her feet.
Lily closed her eyes, leaning into the lush comfort of the cushion. “Oh, that’s heavenly.”
“Just relax.”
Lily yawned and stretched her arms. “What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”
“I don’t know what my mother and Aunt Lucy have planned for the guests, but I’ll be in London.”
“All day?”
“I’m afraid so. I’m leaving before dawn, and I won’t be back in time for dinner. But I’ll see you the next day.”
“What is so important that will keep you in London all day?”
“Just business matters. You wouldn’t be interested.”
“Of course I’m interested,” she snapped. “I’m more than just an empty-headed bauble for you to wear on your arm. May I go with you?”
“Not this time. I’ll take you to London whenever you want after we’re married.”
“But why—” A disturbing thought jolted her mind. “You’re not going to visit one of your— Oh, never mind.” She drew her feet off of his lap and put her slippers back on. “I’m tired. I want to go to bed.”
“It’s early yet. You shouldn’t leave the ball.”
“I’ve had a trying day, Daniel, as you are well aware. I want to go to bed. You can walk me to my chamber, or I’ll go myself.”
“I’d rather take you to my chamber.”
She didn’t respond right away. She was exhausted, but she wanted him. Her body still sizzled at his every touch. Moreover, if she slept with him tonight, maybe he wouldn’t go to London tomorrow to visit one of his mistresses. For that was the only possible reason for him to go. Any estate business could be conducted at Laurel Ridge. But if she went to bed with him solely for the purpose of keeping him from making love to someone else… Well, that wasn’t a routine she wanted to set in motion. She deserved far better.
“I’ll go to my own chamber.”
“Very well then. I’ll escort you. Come on.”
He helped her up and took her up the back stairwell to her chamber on the second floor of the east wing. He leaned down, kissed her virtuously on the mouth, and opened the door for her.
Lily looked in quickly. Rose hadn’t yet returned. She grabbed Daniel’s arm and pulled him inside the room, flinging her arms around his neck. She kissed him as though it were her first taste of his maleness, exploring him with her tongue, tasting him, savoring him. She wanted him badly. One kiss wouldn’t hurt, and maybe, on his way to London tomorrow, he might think of her.
He responded with a fiery passion. She pressed her breasts against his hard chest and tugged his hair out of the queue so she could thread her fingers through it. He moved forward, their mouths clamped together, until her back was against the wall. Gently he separated her legs with his thigh. She rubbed her sex against him as his lips moved from her mouth to her ear, her neck, down between her breasts, which were swollen, tingling, and nearly bursting from her gown. He released one rosy globe from captivity and feasted on her nipple, covering it with wet kisses that landed like a flash of lightning between her legs. Her heart thumped against her chest, and moisture