Free Persuasion by Owner Page B

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    about seducing a man? What was she to do?
    Lily felt so completely lost, that despair rushed through her and she had to
    close her eyes to withhold the tears that longed to fall. Swiftly, for her aunt
    could be the very devil if she spotted emotion, Lily pressed the thumb and
    finger of her left hand together fiercely, until the joints literally hurt and only
    then, did the tears cease. She blew out a quiet breath and felt it whistle
    slightly between her teeth.
    Lily straightened her back and then forced herself to look at him and study
    him in detail. As she did so, she wondered how on earth she would be able
    to approach him. To simply walk up to him . . . . It just was not done. Ladies
    never approached gentlemen! But Lily had to admit, that were she ever to
    break the rules, then it would be for the particular gentleman standing
    before her. She shook her head at the thought, but it would not be denied.
    There was an air about him, a somber yet restrained attitude that seemed to
    suit his blond looks. His face was tanned which told its own tale and she
    knew that he would be an outdoor man and not a dandy who was afeared of
    the sun! From this distance, she could see his green as grass eyes which
    were as piercing as glass and just as quick to cut. His jaw was strong, as
    was his aquiline nose and in general, he was a man that many of his own
    sex would aspire to be like.
    He made a dashing figure in the tight fawn breeches, which were tucked into
    gleaming Hessians. A taut emerald green waistcoat fitted him perfectly and
    set off the light in his eyes. His cravat and linen shirt were perfection, the
    former being a waterfall of tumbling material, which was the only
    unrestrained part of his outfit. His jacket displayed his broad shoulders
    delightfully and added to his aura of strength.
    Despite herself, she felt a frisson of something rush through her and Lily
    wished that she knew what it meant. Regardless of her fear of the situation
    she found herself in, this frisson touched parts of her she had never even
    known about, parts that had never before been touched! But Lily wasn't
    altogether sure that it was that fabulous a time to actually be experiencing
    something of that nature!
    Inwardly grimacing, she separated from her aunt with an air kiss to her
    cheek and then departed to the refreshment table, which was fortunately
    close to his position. When she moved, she kept her head tilted towards the
    Earl's location and managed to look at him without seemingly doing so. In
    fact, she could almost liken herself to the afore-mentioned French spy! Only
    this time, it was not so ludicrous.
    As she perused the tempting foods on display, her stomach rumbled a tad,
    but she realized that to take a bite of anything but a very light ice, would be
    like tasting ashes and as such, hideous! With a sad smile, she discarded the
    tasty tarts and treats and simply cast her eye over the length of the table
    and then, fortune smiled on her. For she heard the butler call out that the
    next dance would be the choice of the ladies!
    Was fate on her side, she wondered, as she swiftly moved down the length
    of the table and returned to her earlier position. Within seconds, she found
    herself standing before him and his set, which had suddenly ceased their
    bantering and had grown silent.
    Lily stared at the Earl for what felt like endless moments and although she
    was aware that the men were making sly and very quiet, so as not to offend
    her, innuendo, she easily ignored it. Completely unaware of her beauty and
    the effect she had on the man she was staring at and those that surrounded
    him. All she felt was . . . fear, discomfort and God help her . . . excitement!
    What was wrong with her?
    Her mouth felt dry as her eyes met his and she felt almost pierced to the
    core with that same frisson that she did not understand. Before she could
    make a larger fool of herself by simply standing there like a cursed
    bedlamite, Lily curtsied.