A Scandalous Bargain (The Pretenders #2) - Darcy Burke Page 0,62
he was called, sported the same auburn hair and tawny eyes.
But it was the man beside him who drew Beatrix’s full attention: Tom.
Her breath caught as she schooled her features not to reflect the fact that she knew him. She dipped a curtsey. “Of course.”
“Rockbourne, may I present Miss Whitford, my new sister-in-law.”
Beatrix hadn’t considered that this large, boisterous family was now her family too. How positively wonderful, for she liked them very much.
Curtseying again, Beatrix tried not to smile at Tom even though her heart was speeding at a frenetic pace. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Miss Whitford, this is the Viscount Rockbourne. He’s a dear friend of mine.”
Beatrix saw the black band encircling Tom’s upper arm. “I heard about the tragedy you suffered. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” he said simply, but his gaze, locked with hers, held a dark, stirring heat.
“I’m glad you decided to come today, Rockbourne,” North said, clapping him on the shoulder. “It’s good for you to get out.”
“Some would say it’s not appropriate,” Tom said softly.
“Eh, you’re an old friend of the family, and it’s not as if you’re out frolicking at a gaming hell.” North glanced toward Beatrix. “I beg your pardon.”
She quirked a smile. “Not at all. Frolicking at a gaming hell sounds rather diverting.”
North howled with laughter. “I knew I liked you.” His gaze fixed on something across the room and he gave a slight nod. Looking back to Beatrix and Tom, he said, “Please excuse me. My mother is giving me the eye.” His brows arched in amusement as he took himself off.
“You came,” Beatrix said as soon as North was out of earshot.
“It turns out I couldn’t resist. Not knowing you would be here.” His gaze slid over her like a silken coverlet. “You look magnificent.”
She tried not to blush and failed. “Thank you. So do you.”
“It’s not the same, and you know it. I never get to see you like this.”
“Not never. You saw me at the masquerade ball.” She moved closer to him—as close as she dared. “Are you saying you don’t like me in my men’s costume?” she whispered.
“I like you in anything. Or nothing, if that’s an option.”
She sucked in a breath as an electric pulse ran through her.
“Forgive me,” he murmured. “That was gauche.”
“I am not offended.” He was not the first man she’d flirted with. Or kissed. Or gone to bed with. She’d had precisely one lover, several years ago, whom she’d never told anyone about. Not even Selina. How could she when Selina had endured such a horrible experience at the hands of her employer? “That…might be an option.”
Tom’s breath came out in a hiss. He pivoted toward her. “Beatrix, you are making it difficult for me to stand in a social gathering without drawing undue attention.”
Her gaze dipped below his waist. She could just make out the length of his cock. “My apologies. Perhaps we should talk about the weather. Or the price of cockles.” She lifted her hand to her mouth and stifled a giggle. “Not cockles. How about eel?”
His eyes widened, and he struggled not to laugh. “That’s somehow better?”
She pressed her hand harder against her smiling lips. “Not at all.” She took a deep breath and lowered her hand. “Turnips. Let us discuss turnips.”
“I’d like to discuss turnips in private.”
What was happening here? They’d flirted before, a number of times, but now that they’d kissed, their banter had taken on another depth.
She looked up at him and studied the familiar planes of his face—his wide forehead, sculpted cheekbones, and strong, square jaw. Her gaze lingered on his lips, the lower one thicker than the upper, and she recalled how they felt against hers.
They shouldn’t keep doing this. And yet when she thought about not… Well, she didn’t like thinking about that. “So why did you come today?” she asked softly.
“To see you.”
A warmth spread through her, sparking another smile. She hadn’t expected him to say so. “I’m glad you did.” It was difficult to keep her distance from him. They’d grown so close over the past fortnight, but that had been in a private setting. “This is odd, isn’t it? Being here with all these people?”
He grinned, nodding. “Yes. I’m not used to sharing you. Except with Regan.”
“I enjoy that, actually.”
“I do too.” His gaze was fierce. “More than you can know. Thea was not a good mother.”
“Oh, well. I couldn’t—” She wasn’t sure what to say. She wasn’t Regan’s mother.