Free To Refuse a Rake by Kristin Vayden Page B

velvet curtain and touched her lips with her gloved fingers. Truly Hudson could kiss! Never had she dreamed of such an amazing sensation! While she didn’t have much experience in that area of life, she certainly doubted anyone could captivate her senses as thoroughly as he had. Even now his minty fragrance lingered, sending prickles of delight from the memory. The sensitive flesh around her mouth was still tingling from the alluring friction of his slight beard. She remembered how he gently teased her with his captivating kiss. His lips, so soft then so demanding. The kiss had been spellbinding, locking her inside a dreamlike state of bliss from which she struggled still to free herself.
    It could never happen again.
    Already her body yearned for another taste of his demanding yet gentle kiss. Should he choose to do so, she knew he could easily conquer her resolve to remain unmarried. No, she must not give in to the temptation that he presented. Never could she give into his kiss. For his kiss caused her to abandon all caution and forget all her convictions. Surely such kisses were how women became ruined! It was a sobering thought. With a heavy sigh she left the security of the curtain-shrouded wall and entered the room, hoping her flushed face wouldn’t give away her recent tryst.
    “There you are!” Sadie said as she approached Emma.
    “Yes. Here I am.” Emma tried to offer a confident grin, but her smile faded as Sadie began to narrow her eyes and study her face with intensity. “Yes?” Emma offered, feigning indifference though her heart was pounding.
    “You… I believe it’s time we departed,” Sadie finished, still studying her sister’s countenance.
    “I couldn’t agree more.” Emma released a breath of relief.
    “Have you by chance seen Lord Daventry?” Sadie asked the question calmly but her eyes betrayed her interest in the answer.
    “Not for some time,” Emma answered, aware that her answer was both truthful and perfectly vague.
    Sadie narrowed her eyes slightly, as if she didn’t quite believe Emma. “Actually, I believe I’ve found him.” Sadie grinned.
    Emma’s body demanded she turn just to gaze upon his face, but her stubborn will overcame her body’s desire.
    “Ladies! If it is acceptable to you, shall we depart?”
    Emma glanced over to Hudson, her greedy gaze absorbing the slightly wrinkled fabric of his shirt and more relaxed style of hair. His lips were even more pronounced as if her kiss had left a mark of passion. He turned his chocolate gaze to her and immediately her heart began to race frantically. All she could remember was his taste.
    “Yes, Lord Daventry. I was just asking my sister if she had seen you recently for that very same reason,” Sadie answered.
    “Delightful. I’ll depart to ready the carriage and return to fetch you momentarily.” Hudson spoke to both of them, but his gaze never left Emma. As if he had the same inability to look away that she felt. With a bow he took a few steps back and then winked at Emma just before he turned and strode away.
    “You, Sister dear, do not need to tell me anything. But know that you are not hiding anything either.” Sadie raised an eyebrow and then began to giggle. “I, for one, am thrilled. You have lingered far too long in pain that you did not create nor have a need to own. If I can have hope in love, then you must too.” With that, she turned to say goodbye to their hostess.
    Emma turned back to watch the last few moments of Hudson’s stride before he disappeared. Her heart sank. She wanted to have hope in love, but how did one begin to trust that which could not be seen? There was no guarantee that Hudson would return her affection should she give it. Oh, he might for a while, but certainly after time his affection and interest would wane, wouldn’t it? She was not sure if he was worth the risk. She wasn’t sure anything was worth that type of risk. How did a lady protect her heart when someone else held