Free Compromised Miss by Anne O'Brien

mouth firmed into an impatient line.
    She must give him an answer of course. And did so with dry appreciation. ‘Your tongue is as smooth as French silk, my lord. The only thing I regret is that, if I do agree, it will please my brother.’
    ‘He is no longer of any concern to you. For you, Miss Lydyard, if you will accept my offer, you now belong to me.’
    It was outrageously proprietary. Intensely possessive. Very male and very confident. Harriette’s heart leaped within the confines of her outmoded bodice. And again, a harder beat, when his clasp tightened and he pulled her slowly towards him. Was he intending to kiss her? Fear struck.
    ‘I should tell you, my lord, that not only can I not dance, but I have never been kissed, either.’
    ‘Then it will be my pleasure to show you how it is done, to consolidate our agreement.’
    As a kiss it surprised her. It was very gentle, the softest of meetings of lips, hardly more than a sharing of breath between them. Harriette felt he had made an effort not to frighten her, but now fear was not in her mind. She sighed, taking a step closer, and, sensing it, the Earl slid his good arm around her waist and drew her closer still, firm against his chest, his thighs, whilst his lips warmed and teased. Enveloped by his arms, it was as if all her senses became startlingly alive so that his scent, his touch stroked her, to fill her with a delight that she could never have imagined. Gentle as it was, it reduced her to a shimmer of liquid pleasure. Until he released her, tilted his head as if struck by a thought, before placing a final caress between her brows.
    ‘So we are agreed? It would not be appropriate for me to kiss a lady who was other than my betrothed.’
    And Harriette, hopelessly entranced, gasped at his slide into light humour. How could she possibly tell him that he had stolen both her breath and her heart in that one simple undemanding gesture? ‘Then I must accept, mustn’t I, for I am not in the habit of allowing any gentleman to kiss me. But one thing I would ask.’ She lowered her eyes so hewould not see the anxiety that began to build in her chest again.
    ‘Since you saved my life, I think I am duty bound to grant whatever you request, Miss Lydyard.’
    ‘I don’t want a society wedding. Not at some fashionable church in London under the eyes of the ton . Not in the midst of your Corinthian set.’
    ‘Very well. Then where?’
    ‘Here. With a special licence.’
    ‘Then it shall be so.’
    Relief swept through her, and astonishment that he would agree so readily. He had not even asked her to explain, something she did not wish to do. ‘If I am to escape, then let it be quick. Do you know a bishop, my lord?’
    ‘I think I can lay claim to it.’ Then, ‘My name is Lucius,’ he prompted.
    ‘Lucius.’ She tried it on her tongue. Heavy. Classical. Aristocratic. She must have frowned.
    His mouth was a touch sardonic. ‘If you don’t care for it, try Luke.’
    ‘Is that what your family call you?’
    ‘My brother, Adam, does.’
    Harriette tried it in her mind. Luke! She liked it. It suited his dark good looks. ‘Then I will.’
    ‘So we are decided. As long as I don’t have to wed you in this garment.’
    ‘I doubt your own coat will be redeemable—although I’m sure you have any number of such fashionable garments. I should tell you I took a knife to the seams. I thought you were bleeding to death.’
    ‘Then I must thank God you did. Although Weston might not be too happy at the destruction of his masterpiece.’
    ‘Whoever Weston might be, he did not have to dealwith an emergency! I promise I won’t wed you in boots and breeches.’
    ‘I can ask for nothing more, Captain Harry.’
    ‘I am very grateful.’
    Reaching out, he startled Harriette by running a finger along the edge of her jaw, lifting her chin so that she must look up at him. Then with a swift movement belying his bruising, Luke swooped and kissed her again, hard and