Tempting the Footman (House of Devon #5) - Lauren Smith Page 0,19

and then her gaze slid to him, a gleam in her dark eyes. “Adrian, would you teach me?”

“Teach you?”

“Yes. Teach me about men.”

For the second time in her presence, Adrian choked and had to retrieve a cup of tea, only to trip and fall to the floor.

“I need to know about men. Their habits, their desires, courtship, attraction—even about kisses.”

5

Venetia’s heart raced as she watched the dashing footman recover himself. She thought she had nearly killed him as he choked and tripped trying to reach the tea tray nearby. She giggled as he regained his control. She hadn’t meant to catch him off guard like that.

“Well? Will you teach me? I am sure I can compensate you in some way . . . If you would tell me what you might wish for. Consider yourself a tutor, and I your willing pupil.”

Adrian now stood by the window, leaning against the frame, arms crossed, his gaze turned upon the gardens below. The silence between them was heavy, and Venetia turned her focus to the lean, trim lines of his body, which looked so dashing in the black-and-gold livery. He inspired such a dangerous longing within her for things she’d never felt before.

“Even if I wished to accept such an offer, it is out of the question. I would lose my position here for fraternizing with one of the guests.” She swore she heard regret in his voice, as though he wished he could tutor her and that only their social standing prevented it.

Venetia had expected that response, but she hadn’t expected to feel so disappointed by it. Although that hardly seemed a strong enough word for what she felt.

“Adrian, no one would know. You see how easily I sent Phoebe away. There is no one here to witness anything we speak of or do.”

He faced her then, a wild look in his amber eyes as he stalked toward the bed. He braced one hand above her head on the headboard and leaned down.

“What you ask of me is dangerous. I am a passionate man, a man who enjoys the company of women, and if you let me have a single kiss, I’ll want more. Neither of us can allow that.”

Venetia swallowed, her eyes wide as she stared at that sensual mouth of his, which was still handsome even when turned down in a fierce scowl.

“Please, I can trust no one else with this. But I trust you.”

“How can you trust me? You do not know me,” he growled. “What if I was some wild libertine?”

“Are you?”

“No, but . . . bloody hell, woman.” He leaned down with his free hand and cupped her chin. In a blinding flash, his mouth covered hers. Venetia whimpered at the hot touch of his lips against hers. She parted her lips in a gasp, and his tongue slid into her mouth. A bolt of heat shot through her, and the excitement she felt was almost unbearable. Never in her life had she felt like this. Never. It was frightening and exciting and confusing.

Adrian groaned as his hand moved from her chin to cradle the back of her head. She reached up to catch his cravat and curled her fingers in the cloth. The need to touch him, to be closer in any way she could, was overpowering. His mouth was as ravenous as hers. These wild new sensations caused by that single kiss left her reeling and dizzy. If she hadn’t had hold of his neckcloth, she might have swayed.

His taste was delicious, with a hint of fruit and tea, and the feel of his tongue playing with her own was erotic in a way she never could have imagined. Venetia tried to wrestle her body free of the blankets to better touch him, to better press herself against him, but her ankle twinged and she pulled back from him to gasp in pain.

Their faces were still close, their breaths hard and eyes half-closed. Adrian’s hand was still tangled in her hair, and he gently massaged her scalp while she held his neckcloth. For a minute they simply stared into each other’s eyes, both undone by that kiss.

Venetia didn’t want to break the spell of that moment, but like all good things, it was certain to end. Adrian straightened and released her, his fingers threading through the strands of her hair as he pulled them free.

“I . . .” Again he was speechless, and this time so was she. Her first kiss. What a wonderous