wife. It made Venetia’s heart ache that she would not be that woman.
“That”—Venetia swallowed thickly—“is what I want in my marriage.”
“Then we shall find it for you.”
His promise created a wild stirring within her. They finished their wine and spoke of lighter subjects, with Adrian regaling her with humorous stories from downstairs. It was one of the most pleasant evenings she’d had in a long time. Adrian collected the dishes and set them on a tray, and it made her realize that in the last half hour she’d forgotten he was a footman. They had been simply two people engaging in a most absorbing discussion. Venetia got up and moved about the library, examining the towering shelves and reading the gilded titles on the spines.
Spying a collection of poems she recognized, she pulled the tome free from the shelf.
Adrian was close behind her, and the heat of his body against her back sent delicious shivers through her. She turned to face him, opening the book and holding it so that he could see only her eyes.
“Byron?” he chuckled. His lips slid into a lazy grin that made her knees weak.
“Fitting, I think,” she replied, still using the book to shield her face. Adrian’s eyes were warm with mischief as he placed one palm beside her head against the bookshelf and began to recite:
Fame, wisdom, love, and power were mine,
And health and youth possessed me;
My goblets blushed from every vine,
And lovely forms caressed me;
I sunned my heart in Beauty’s eyes,
And felt my soul grow tender;
All earth can give, or mortal prize,
Was mine of regal splendor.
“You know your Byron,” she teased. He slowly reached up and pulled the book away from her face, leaning close. She reveled in that moment when their faces almost touched, and she could see the glint of his eyes, the sensual quirk of his lips.
He stole a kiss. She moved toward him, needing to be closer. He cupped the back of her neck, his fingers holding her still as he deepened the kiss. She parted her lips eagerly for him, falling deeper into this wild, fluttering excitement that spread from her belly like a flock of butterflies taking flight.
“My God, you taste sweet,” he groaned as he trapped her against the shelf.
She moaned as he began to slide a hand underneath her skirts, but the sudden sound of voices stopped them.
They froze. Adrian’s hand still lay against her outer thigh, and her body trembled as they strained to better hear the approaching sounds. It was a pair of people, a man and a woman, who entered the library.
“This way. No one ever comes into a library.” The man chuckled, and the woman giggled in response.
“Here,” the woman said from close by. “Now, Monty, please. I need you.” The woman sounded desperate and breathless.
“Of course, Lady Percy.” Monty groaned, and there was the sound of clothing moving about, followed by another giggle from the woman.
Shocked by what they were about to hear, Venetia nearly gasped, but Adrian covered her mouth with his hand. Their eyes met, and he jerked his head toward the end of the bookcase, which had a patch of wall that was not lined with shelves. He waited to see if she understood.
She didn’t know what he intended, but she nodded. Adrian dropped his hand from her mouth and took her hand in his, pulling her toward the gap. He traced the wall, feeling for something, and then he grinned and pressed his thumb into the wall. It gave way, opening up into a dark passageway. He pulled her into the darkness with him.
Venetia didn’t speak as he closed the door behind them. They moved deeper into the tunnel, and shafts of light came through tiny pinpricks in the walls every now and then as they passed by other rooms. Venetia realized that these were tiny peepholes. Venetia and Adrian paused by one and took a moment to peer through it into a drawing room.
“Empty.” Adrian started to push against the wall, but the sound of someone entering the room made him freeze again.
“I say, who’s there?” a man demanded. He was a gray-haired gentleman, midsixties perhaps, and he carried a newspaper under his arm. He scanned the room with one eyebrow raised.
“Come out! I know you are here!”
Venetia held back a giggle, and Adrian covered her mouth again, his body pressed hard to hers in the narrow passageway. The giggle turned to a gasp as he raised her skirts. She threw her head back