Living London - By Kristin Vayden Page 0,34

had just before Nanna died, when the guy had actually licked my face. Reading about the kisses in the romances that Nanna and I loved so much had built up this idea in my mind. I didn't think anything would come close, and I was afraid I'd be proven correct someday. But I was wrong, deliciously wrong. All the famous rakes I'd read about had nothing on Morgan Ansley's kiss.

"You far more enticing than I imagined…addictive.” His voice tickled my ear as he whispered into it, nuzzling my hair with the end of his nose.

"Am I now?" I asked, leaning back to see his face more clearly. He held me still with one hand was around my waist while the other cupped my cheek.

Chuckling, he leaned forward. And his lips met mine again, speaking in a language that hadn't changed throughout time.

****

Trying to keep the grin off of my face, I slipped back into the ballroom, hoping no one had missed me. I had a good ten minutes till Morgan would come into the ballroom, so I tried to find Amelia and Lord Rake.

"You should really be more careful you know." The voice only barely registered before a hand swung me around and began to dance with me.

I gasped, realizing I was no longer walking but waltzing. "Reg?"

"Who else?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I was a terrible liar, but I tried hard to maintain eye contact without looking away guiltily.

"Liar," he accused, waiting for me to crack.

I couldn't stop a small smile from lifting the corner of my mouth. I may not have known Reg for long, but I knew he'd keep my secret if I were to tell him. But I wouldn't speak of it, at least not unless he tortured it out of me. Which probably would not take much effort at all.

"I see that grin. Don't you dare try to hide it from me. You might as well tell me before I start to guess."

"Guess at what?" I replied innocently. I need to learn a poker face.

He tilted his head and began to scan the room. "Lord Heath?"

"What? No! He's with Amelia!" I protested, wondering why he'd accuse me of a secret tryst with the man.

"Ah ha! So you admit that there was someone." A smug grin stretched across his face and narrowed his brown eyes.

"I never said anything, just simply was offended that you would think I'd do that to Amelia."

"Hmm… Lord Haymore?" he asked with a barely contained chuckle.

I spoke through clenched teeth. "Do not ever mention his name to me again, ever." Just thinking of him made me want to take a bath.

"Oh? And why not?"

"Because if you do, I'll find the greenest debutante and tell her you hold a secret crush for her, and I'll make sure her mother overhears."

"You wouldn't dare! I don't believe you." Reg didn't seem as convinced as his words. "But I'll refrain from mentioning the lecher around you if it bothers you so much."

"It does."

"Ah." His face lit up with a devilish grin, contrasting fiercely with his decidedly outlandish attire.

"'Ah' what?" I asked, annoyed and slightly concerned with the look.

"It seems that Lord Ashby has reentered the ballroom."

"Oh? Is that so? I fail to see why you'd be so interested."

"Oh, well, it seems that he is smiling."

"And? Is that so strange?" Surely he couldn't piece everything together.

"No, it is not. But he's not simply smiling, love. He's strutting like a peacock and grinning like a fool. Astoundingly enough, wearing the same expression you tried to hide when you walked into this very room not more than ten minutes ago… the perfect distance in trying to avert talk when one has had a secret rendezvous." His eyes watched mine, waiting for me to give away my secret. How did he do that? If he were that observant, surely others noticed as well.

"No, no one else noticed, I made sure of it. Why do you think I pulled you into a dance, a waltz no less? You're secret's safe with me. I'm just thrilled the ol' boy finally made a move. He's been watching you. Almost wondered if I were going to have to step in and do something." He muttered the last part. "Here we go." He bowed and walked me over to a content Amelia, who watched me with bright eyes.

"Reg, nice to see you."

"Always a pleasure, Amelia." He bowed and left us alone.

"So?" I asked with wide eyes and a