Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Caroline checked her reflection in the mirror for the seventh time, her hands pressed to her stomach. Why had she agreed to this evening?

But she already knew. Part of her was… tempted. More than tempted. After she'd gotten over the shock of seeing him and the surprise of fainting, she'd thought about his offer. She knew all the reasons she shouldn't…

He was just too much man for her. He had the sort of power that might turn ugly.

She couldn't take that chance.

But did that mean that she couldn't indulge for a night? Two? The very thought of Luke touching her again filled her with longing.

She shivered, knowing that even considering such behavior was dangerous. She was here, standing in front of this mirror because she'd indulged the first time.

She looked at the pale pink silk gown she'd chosen for the evening, a generous amount of cleavage on display, the dress hugging the rest of her curves. Had she already made her choice?

Her hair had been twisted into an elaborate coif at her nape, which highlighted her high cheekbones and the slender column of her neck.

She trailed a finger over her collarbone remembering Luke's lips on her skin and her eyes fluttered closed.

Which is when a knock sounded at her chamber door. Mrs. Banks poked her head through. "The Duke of Strongborn is waiting for you in the entry." She could hear the faint note of disapproval in the other woman's voice, which she ignored.

Mrs. Banks would never have suggested that she attend last night's dinner if she'd known that Strongborn would pursue Caroline. Her housekeeper was more opposed to male attention than Caroline was. Not that it mattered. Her housekeeper's opinions shouldn't influence her now.

She made her way out of her room and down the stairs. Luke stood at the bottom, his legs in a wide stance, his hands clasped in front of him. She stopped to admire his… masculinity. The same attribute that frightened her also drew her to him. Like a moth to a flame…

Reaching for the rail, she lifted her skirts and did her best to glide down the stairs. "Hello, Your Grace."

"Lady Green," he rumbled, giving her a wicked grin. "You are a vision."

She stopped, not quite at the bottom, her gaze casting down for a moment as heat filled her cheeks. Did he really think so?

He trotted up the last four steps, taking her hand in his. Then he brought her gloved fingers to his lips.

With a shiver, she let him help her down the last few steps. Draping a wrap over her shoulders, he offered his elbow as they made their way out to the carriage.

But this time, as she settled on the bench, he settled next to her, leaning close. "I love the way you smell."

She looked away, inadvertently exposing her neck. Which she realized when his lips found her pulse just below her ear. "Luke," she warned, giving him a small push away. "Stop that."

He caught her hand in his, pulling her closer. "You came tonight. I know that means…" But he didn't finish that thought as he kissed her neck again. This time, she just closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel.

Warm, sure lips plucked at her skin causing little fissures of pleasure to skate over her goose-pimpled flesh. He was right. She already knew she'd give into temptation.

Just once more. Maybe twice if he asked… "You promise, after you're finished with me, that you won't tell anyone about my marriage?"

His lips stilled on her skin. "I promise, sweetheart," he whispered into her skin. "I would never compromise you in that way. Ever."

She smiled at his choice of words. "But you will compromise me in other ways?"

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through her skin. She reached up then, touching the skin of his neck, curling her fingers around the thick column, holding the cords of muscle like an anchor.

"Most definitely." And then his mouth slid lower. He brushed the wrap off her shoulders, kissing a trail over her collarbone. "Do you know what I did with my fingers last time?"

Lord above, of course she did. "Yes," she breathed, flutters filling her most private parts. "Tonight I'm going to do that again, only with my tongue."

She made a half gasp, half moan. "Oh, yes, please."

It must have been the last word. Because it had barely passed her lips when suddenly she was in his lap.

She gasped, her hands coming to his shoulders. "We can't. Not before we've even arrived for dinner. I'll be a mess."

"Don't worry. Everyone at this party is like us. Not married, just…" He paused, as though searching for the right words.

"Indulging in a bit of temptation?"

"Precisely." And then he kissed the top of one of her breasts. A low moan fell from her lips, her head tilting back until it rested on the sill of the window.

But he reached under her hair, partially lifting her head. "We wouldn't want you to muss your hair yet."

She blinked at him in surprise. "What?"

"It looks glorious arranged like that."

She smiled at him then, her nose wrinkling with a bit of shyness. "Thank you."

But with their gazes locked, she was reminded of how delightfully handsome he was, and how any interest from this man would be fleeting at best. Which was fine. That's what she wished for too.

But still, she knew parting was never easy. And she found herself asking… "How do these things end?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well," she nipped at her lip. "I thought it already had. I'd wrapped my mind around a single night. But this…"

He still held her neck in his large palm, the other cupped her cheek. "As gently as I can. Though, I can already tell you're the sort of female who won't make a big fuss. Which means, at any point in the future, if you need anything, you come to me."

She nodded, already feeling a twinge of regret. Which was foolish. They'd hardly begun.

The carriage rolled to a stop alerting them both that they'd arrived.

Moving her from his lap, Luke stepped out of the carriage and helped her down. With her hand snug on his arm, she was just able to push down the dancing butterflies.

But as they made their way up the stone steps, she couldn't help but feel as though she was making a terrible mistake.

This man was not the sort to be trifled with…

* * *

Caroline might flee at any moment, Luke was certain of that. She was understandably nervous. Normally, such behavior might have irritated him, but with her… it only made the challenge that much more exciting.

They entered the library where the guests were gathered, five couples in total, looking for all the world as though they were having tea with the king. The women sat primly at the side of their chosen lord. They made excellent conversation all while smiling demurely and laughing at the exact right moment.

One had to pay careful attention to note that Lady Weatherby had touched Lord Ashton's thigh no less than three times. Or that Lord Griffin had his hand up the skirts of Mrs. Dalton while they sat at the card table.

Luke once again led Caroline toward the fire, but the anticipation he'd felt in the carriage had all but disappeared. Instead, he had the overwhelming sensation that Caroline ought not to be here.

She didn't belong with these women.

Women who went from lover to lover. Some of them widowed, others still married. Others using these trysts as an occupation. She was far too innocent for their company, and he didn't know what he'd been thinking…

That wasn't true. He knew his exact thoughts. Caroline had been too upset last night to be convinced of anything. This party had been his only excuse to see her again in a more intimate setting.

But now that he had her here…

Ironheart sauntered over, a different but equally buxom blonde at his side than the one who'd been there last night. He gave Luke a wicked smile, his eyes dancing down Caroline until they stopped at her breasts.

Luke's teeth snapped together as he took a half step in front of Caroline, blocking her from view. Ironheart could keep his eyes to himself.

The other man stopped, his paramour clinging to his arm. "So good to see you, Strongborn."

"And you." He didn't mean the words and his tone made the point.

Ironheart's smile only broadened. "You must introduce me to this lovely creature."

"Lady Green, the Duke of Ironheart."

"Pleasure," Ironheart managed to shake the blonde off long enough to take Caroline's gloved hand in his, making a show of bending over and kissing the back of her fingers. Luke's hand curled into a fist. He knew how these men worked. If they liked Caroline, the moment word got out he'd ended their affair, they'd all call upon her. Jackals, the lot of them.

Caroline dipped into a curtsy only further displaying the generous amount of bosom her gown showed, a fact he'd enjoyed immensely in the carriage, but now he found himself rumbling with displeasure as Ironheart's gaze returned to Caroline's breasts.

The other man did little to hide his interest. Luke stepped closer, all but crowding Ironheart out. He had half a mind to leave, take Caroline somewhere far more private. But as he and Ironheart silently stared at the other, some unnamed challenge passing between them, the butler appeared in the door. "Dinner is served."

Ironheart turned with a clap. "Did you hear that, everyone? Dinner!"

All the guests rose, lining up behind their host. The line was normally done in order of title, the most distinguished being at the front, but Luke stayed by the fire, Caroline by his side. "Is something wrong?"

Obviously, she knew where he ought to be. "Nothing."

"Oh. Should we…"

"In a moment." He placed a discreet hand on her stomach. "I want to make sure you're warm after such a cold carriage ride."

Her brows lifted. She'd spent most of the ride in the circle of his embrace. Did she know that he just didn't wish to be seated near Ironheart, watching him flirt with her through the entire meal?

The guests began to file out, Luke finally offering Caroline his arm and following at a more leisurely pace.

They turned into the hallway, making their way toward the dining room, the other guests already inside.

From the other end of the hall, several footmen marched toward them, large trays of food balanced before them. The delicate smell of a stew wafted from the hot bowls, making him glad they'd stayed. He could at least get a meal out of that oaf Ironheart.

But Caroline stopped in her tracks. "What is that?"

"Er. Soup?"

"What kind of soup?" her nose curled and if he wasn't mistaken, her skin tinged green.

"Tripe?" he offered, his brow knitting with concern.

She swayed a bit, her hand coming to cover her mouth.

"Is it rancid?" she asked, swallowing several times, her breathing getting heavier and heavier.

"It smells fine to me."

But the words were lost on Caroline as she began a mad dash down the hall.