Free Stolen Kisses by Suzanne Enoch Page B

her.
    Something about the entire situation was askew, but that realization was as intriguing as was the chit herself. Finally he cornered her between a table and the fireplace, while Price unenthusiastically occupied Mrs. Falshond and Lilith’s annoying aunt.
    “Good afternoon, Miss Benton,” he said, reaching over her shoulder for a teacake.
    She started and then quickly glanced in her aunt’s direction. “Lord Dansbury.”
    He smiled as she picked up a pastry, keeping her back carefully turned to him. She might think she was doing her duty by ignoring him, but she certainly made no other attempt to get away. “Have you tried the Madagascar blend?” he asked, brushing his hand down her sleeve as he indicated the nearest teapot.
    “No.” She stayed where she was, as though rooted to the spot.
    “I recommend it,” he continued, reaching for another teacake and trapping her between his body and the table. “Quite subtle, with a light tang of spice in the aftertaste.”
    “Really.”
    Lilith lowered her head to set down her plate, and Jack very nearly kissed the slender, curved nape of her neck. He took a deep breath, wondering for a fleeting moment just who was seducing whom. “Rather like you, I would imagine.”
    “Do go away,” she whispered.
    “Do face me when you’re speaking to me,” he returned.
    Tightly she shook her head. “I’m not speaking to you.”
    “I beg to differ.” She smelled of lavender and tea, and as his breath lightly touched her hair, she shivered. “You are speaking volumes.”
    Lilith’s shoulders heaved with the breath she took, then she turned around and met his gaze directly. “ Now will you go away?”
    Price cleared his throat, indicating he’d lost his sway over the two hens.
    “One day,” Jack murmured to Lilith, bringing her hand to his lips and softly kissing her knuckles, “you will ask me to stay.”
    “Lilith,” her aunt’s stern voice came.
    “I shall not, my lord.”
    He smiled and returned her plate to her hands. “We shall see.”
     
    Lilith and Aunt Eugenia headed directly from the tea sampling to join Penelope and Lady Sanford at their dressmaker’s. Eugenia immediately plunked herself down beside Lady Sanford in the shop window. “Imagine my horror, Daphne,” she said breathlessly, “at stepping into the room to see the devil himself there before us. The Marquis of Dansbury, pretending to be interested in sampling tea!”
    Pen looked sideways at Lilith. “Dansbury was there?” she mouthed.
    Trying to overhear the rest of her aunt’s remarks, Lilith gave a small nod. As the conversation turned to a recitation of Dansbury’s past duels and mad, drunken wagers, she impatiently stepped over to eye the nearly finished gown draped over a mannequin. “Are you certain it’s not too daring?” she asked the dressmaker.
    “ Mais non, mademoiselle ,” Madame Belieu protested. “You will see when you try it on. It will be parfaite .”
    Lilith had her doubts. The emerald green silk was quite low-cut—something that the Marquis of Dansbury would no doubt find perfectly acceptable, but his standards were so low as to be practically invisible.
    Aunt Eugenia scowled. “It’s perfectly—”
    “Lovely.” Lady Sanford smiled approvingly. “It will show you off to fine advantage. And with the cold weather, dark colors are quite fashionable this Season. A splendid choice, Eugenia.”
    “Hm. Thank you, Daphne,” Eugenia said, sending the gown another distasteful look.
    Lilith smiled gratefully. The gown was truly beautiful, and she had never been allowed to wear such a thing before.
    “I will have it and the gold one delivered to you tomorrow, mademoiselle .”
    She had been hoping for something new to wear to the Rochmont ball. “Thank you, madame .”
    While Aunt Eugenia asked Madame Belieu if the new French silks had arrived, Pen cornered Lilith. “So tell me, Lil—what did he do?” she whispered.
    “Nothing.” Lilith tried unsuccessfully