Tempting the Footman (House of Devon #5) - Lauren Smith Page 0,20

thing it had turned out to be.

“I’m very sorry,” Adrian finally said. “I shouldn’t have—”

“I wanted you to, and I thank you for it.” She needed him to understand the gift he had given her. That kiss had been one born of desire and not out of an intent to court her for her money. It had been a true kiss, and no matter what happened later, who she married and settled upon, this kiss would always be special. She vowed to tuck this moment away in her heart and cherish it.

Adrian paced along the foot of her bed and scowled as he dragged his fingers through his hair. “I should not have done that.”

“Did you not enjoy it?” Venetia asked, trying not to sound worried.

“Of course I did. That isn’t the point. You are a lady, and I am . . . no one.” He turned to face her. “I will speak to Lady Devon. This arrangement will not work.” He started toward the door, but Venetia threw back the covers and tried to get out of bed. In her desperation to stop him, she forgot her ankle. The moment she put weight on it, she cried out and fell.

Adrian was there, catching her in his arms. She could feel the strength of his body as he held her, and it sent a thrill through her.

“I swear, before I met you, I was not so clumsy or so foolish,” Venetia said as she leaned gratefully against him.

A deep, amused chuckle rumbled through his chest, vibrating against her in a most wonderful way. “I don’t normally choke, but it seems you deprive me of air.”

She laughed and then let out a weary sigh.

“Tired?” he asked.

The gentle tone was back in his voice, one of concern and compassion. She wasn’t used to it—not from a man, at any rate.

“A little. You must think me very frail and delicate, but I swear to you I am a much hardier creature.”

“You’ve suffered an injury, and you were out for a long walk in the cold rain. That would make anyone tired.”

He lifted her up and placed her back on the bed. She caught his hand and held on to him before he could pull away.

“Please, do not speak to Lady Devon. You have been so wonderful, and I do wish to have you as a companion. If I promise not to ask for any more kisses, will you stay?”

Adrian looked at her for a long moment, and she could not read his expression.

“No more kisses. I can’t afford to lose my position. Due to my birth and my age, it would be difficult to find work elsewhere.”

“I understand.” And Venetia did. The last thing she wanted was for him to risk his livelihood to satisfy her curiosity, but she couldn’t get his kiss out of her mind, how it had made her feel so alive.

“Why don’t you sleep? I need to report downstairs and attend to some tasks. I will return in a few hours.”

“Thank you, Adrian.”

She released his hand, and he bowed as he exited the room. Venetia was tired, but as she lay back in bed and closed her eyes, she could only think about that magnificent kiss.

Adrian was playing with fire. A fire that burned so sweetly, he would enjoy every minute as it burned his world down around him. Adrian lingered in the corridor for a long moment as he fixed his neckcloth and desperately searched for the vanishing threads of his sanity.

Lady Venetia wanted him to teach her about men, about desire and attraction. He wasn’t sure that such things could be taught. He’d heard braggarts in town boast of their dubious conquests, and he’d seen the quietest of men manage to win the affections of unattainable women. There were no set laws in the ancient art of courtship, yet he had foolishly agreed to educate her about it.

This would certainly get him tossed out of Hartland. The question was, how long would it be before he was discovered? He made barely thirty pounds a year, and it was not likely he would find such a position again. He would be forced into learning a new trade, assuming anyone would take him in. Life in service had prepared him only for other positions in service. He knew nothing of blacksmithing or mining. He could ride quite well, but he had no groom’s experience that would make him indispensable to a new household. By agreeing to Lady Venetia’s bargain,