Chapter 17

Greyson surveyed the drawing room of his bachelor's quarters with a keen eye. His butler had done an excellent job in creating a private setting for dinner. His lodgings were small, with a single drawing room that served as a dining room on one side, but that didn't take away from its elegance.

The table had been set with white linen and all the ornaments that were expected at any social dinner. The candles flickered in their silver holders, casting a low light over the room that had been decorated in the French style—courtesy of his mother.

Just because you're a bachelor doesn't mean you need to live like a swine.

Her words brought a smile to his lips as he straightened the ivory waistcoat he'd chosen for the occasion. He wasn't sure if Violet would stay once she realized that he had lied, but he hoped that she'd see the sincerity in his efforts.

The door opened to reveal his butler. The tall, thin man was dressed in his usual black attire with tails for serving during the evening. In all of London, there was no one that Greyson implicitly trusted more than his valet. The man had served him well since his father had left, and he'd yet to hear any of his private business circulating around the ton.

"Lady Violet Smith, My Lord," the butler announced, with his thin arms behind his back. His neat mustache bristled a little above his lip as he spoke.

"Thank you, Henderson, you may show her in." Greyson fixed his waistcoat and stood straight, his pulse racing a little with anticipation as he waited for her to appear.

Why am I so nervous?

His breath caught in his throat the second she stepped into the room with a coy look on her face. The silver dress she had chosen for the occasion glinted in the flickering candlelight. Her breasts strained against the bodice that hugged her waist.

He couldn't help but bask in her beauty as he stepped forward and bowed, taking her hand in his and kissing the back of it. "You look ravishing this evening." His voice was low and husky as he looked into her eyes.

The gentle parting of her lips as he kissed her hand sent a thrill through his body.

Those eyes.

He felt honored to be able to drink in the deep blue pools that gave off hints of purple.

Violet seemed breathless at first but eventually regained her composure and withdrew her hand. "Will your mother and Stuart be joining us later, then? Or am I just early?" She gazed around the room and lifted an eyebrow when she spotted the cozy, little table in the corner that had been set for two.

"You may bring in the first course now, Henderson." Greyson dismissed his butler and waited for the door to click shut. "Neither will be joining us this evening, it's just the two of us." He held her gaze as he waited for her response.

"I don't understand, your note said that they would be joining us." Her breathing quickened as she looked around the room as if she were trying to plot her escape.

Greyson walked around the chaise lounge that stood between them and took her hand, leading her over to the table before pulling out her chair. "I hope you will forgive my little deception, but I knew you wouldn't be willing to come if I told you that it would be just the two of us. It's not all my fault. Your friend, Lady Oakhampton, gave me the idea."

Violet gaped at him in shock as she sat down. "Augusta told you to compromise my reputation and lure me here alone?"

Greyson suppressed his mirth before pushing her chair in and making his way to the seat opposite hers. "Not in so many words. She did say that I needed to apologize to you and that I should possibly do it in private. I read between the lines and assumed this was what she meant." He gestured to the room at large and the utmost privacy they now had. The large drapes that overlooked the busy street had been drawn shut.

"I don't think she meant that…" Her face flushed as she struggled to articulate her thoughts.

Greyson leaned back in his chair and lazily flung his arm over the back. He found her utterly breathtaking when she blushed. "You can rest easy, Violet. I know very well what she meant. I promise not to compromise your virtue this evening. My butler, who also serves as my valet, will not utter a single word to anyone outside of these walls. You are safe here with me this evening."

Her shoulders slumped a little as she relaxed. "I guess it wouldn't hurt if nobody knows."

"That's the spirit." Greyson sat up and poured them each a glass of champagne from the bottle that stood in the middle of the table.

"Do you often serve yourself?" She cocked her head and watched him pour the drinks.

The corner of his mouth quirked up as he handed her a glass. "I don't care for all the pomp and circumstance when I'm in my lodgings. Henderson and I work well together because he keeps my secrets and allows me to live the life I choose behind closed doors. When I am outside among the ton, I am the Earl of Montclair. When I am here in the comfort of these walls, I am just plain Greyson."

Violet accepted the glass and gingerly sipped the bubbling liquid. "That sounds quite intriguing. Have you always lived this way?"

A lump formed in his throat at her question. He wanted to tell her the truth, to tell her everything about his past, as she had done, but the small part of him that feared she'd leave took over.

"I had to assume the responsibilities of an earl from a very young age. Living like this when I came of age was a way of living the simple life I was denied in my early youth."

"That makes sense, you wanted to choose your own path despite everyone telling you that you needed to walk in theirs."

The honesty in her eyes as she gazed at him and sipped her champagne felt more freeing than anything ever had. Not even his mother had understood the decisions he'd made in life. She had respected his choice not to marry at first, but she had never fully agreed with his rakish ways.

"Exactly, it's a way of living the life that I truly want, even if it's only in part and in private." He watched the almost inaudible sigh that escaped her lips as she put her glass down on the table and looked around the room.

"I envy you. As a woman, I'm not even allowed the luxury of choosing to live as I wish in private. If I don't marry, I will be able to do so—that's if I'll be given an allowance and if I'll be able to withstand becoming a social pariah."

The sadness in her voice was almost palpable as she placed her forearms on the table and leaned forward. The swell of her breasts threatened to spill over the fabric in a delectable manner that had him squirming in his seat.

He tried to avert his gaze and steer the conversation away from himself. "Don't you think you would miss out on pleasures such as being a mother or running your own household?"

"And stay at home while my husband sleeps with whomever he likes in private lodgings such as these?" She gestured to the room at large.

Why did she need to go there?

His gaze wandered back to her breasts and her slender neck that looked good enough to devour. The worst part of it all was the fact that she didn't even realize how alluring she was. Her movements were so effortlessly seductive that he wondered how any man could have left her for another. Her previous love interest must have been a fool not to see her beauty.

"I'm sure things wouldn't be that bad if you and your husband came to an agreement. Monogamy within marriage is challenging for most men but not impossible. I know of several men who are so enamored of their partners that they never even considered looking at other women."

His words surprised even him as he realized what he had said.

When did my stance on marriage change?

Violet's expression changed as she regarded him from across the table. The purple hues in her gorgeous eyes were tinged with just a hint of surprise. "Do you think that you would be able to settle down with just one woman and never look at another?"

She backed him into a corner with his statement.

"For the right woman, I'd do anything."

He reached for the bottle of champagne and poured himself another glass. Violet had barely touched hers.

"And what is the right woman for you?" She bit her lower lip as if she were enjoying putting him on the spot.

"You."

The word had slipped from his mouth before he had the chance to even think of the consequences. Violet drew a sharp breath and looked down shyly at her lap, crimson coloring her cheeks slowly.

He loved that color on her. If he bit her cheeks, would they flush the same way? Or any other part of her body?

Greyson hooked a finger below her chin and tilted her head up so she looked at him. "Don't ever hide your face from me."

His voice was soft, but Violet nodded immediately.

"Too bad you're never marrying, right?" she said after a few moments, absentmindedly running her finger over the rim of her glass.

"Right," Greyson spoke slowly, as if not wanting to spook her.

It was indeed too bad, but if he had wanted to marry, Violet would be the perfect wife for him.

Where did that thought come from?

Violet did not continue the conversation anymore. Instead, after a few moments, she said, "I have a question for you."

Greyson was surprised that she let the topic go so easily, but then again, she may not have wanted to question him further about him never wanting to marry. However, the thought of her marrying anyone else didn't sit right with him.

"Ask away." He took another sip of champagne.

The evening was going better than he'd expected. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and they hadn't even started the first course yet.

The door opened as if on cue. The butler carried in trays of soup and mackerel that had been garnished with sprigs of fennel and mint, filling the air with a delectable aroma.

They waited to be alone once again before continuing their conversation.

"How many women have you entertained in this room with private dinners?" Violet smirked at him from across the table with just a hint of curiosity in her eyes as she lifted a spoonful of soup to her lips.

How long had she been thinking about that?

He examined her carefully before answering honestly. "None, you are the first. It's no secret that I have lived the life of a rake, but I prefer to keep my lodgings private. Any entertaining would be done at the lady's quarters, or wherever else she chooses." He fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth.

Violet's lips parted in surprise. "Now that was an answer that I hadn't been expecting."

"Are you disappointed that I'm not living up to my rakish reputation?" He winked at her seductively and reached for his glass.

"No. Actually, I find it rather refreshing that there's a side of you that only I have seen. It makes your apology this evening so much more special." Her honest reply changed the tone of the conversation, making him feel less comfortable in her presence.

Why did she have this habit of making him feel so out of control? Most of their arguments had occurred because of the questions she had asked, forcing him to delve into parts of his soul that he'd rather keep hidden—he felt shaken by the idea of someone seeing the hidden aspects of his character.

"Shall we dance to liven things up a little, My Lady?" He pushed back his chair without thinking and stood up, holding his hand out to her with a teasing smile.

"Now?" Violet looked around the room as if she were trying to find the missing elements. "We haven't even finished our first course yet, and there is no music."

The endearing way in which she began to protest filled his chest with warmth. "Surely you can imagine your favorite melody?" he teased with another wink.

"I… If you're sure." She placed her hand in his and allowed herself to be led away from the table.

"Close your eyes and allow me to lead. All you have to do is imagine yourself in the middle of a crowded ballroom. The orchestra is playing a soft melody, and all eyes are on you." He twirled her into his arms and placed his hand on the small of her back.

The intoxicating scent of lavender filled his nostrils as he took a deep breath and gently led her in a slow circle over the rug in the center of the room.

He brought his lips closer to her ear and whispered in a husky voice, "Can you hear the music?"

"I think I can," Violet answered softly, easily following his lead as he pulled her a little closer.

The warmth of her skin seeped through the fabric of her dress and guided the tips of his fingers to her hip.

"Good, now it's just the two of us. All of the guests have gone home, and I'm dancing with you on the balcony of a palace. You feel the warmth of my breath against your skin as I whisper in your ear." He gave in to his desires and gently kissed just below her ear, slowly trailing his lips over her skin until she gasped.

Her sharp intake of breath guided his lips up her jaw until they were gently caressing the corner of her mouth. Heat flooded their bodies as he drew her against him, subtly swaying her in his arms as the moment consumed them both. Her arms were trembling when he pulled her in for a kiss, tasting the subtle hints of champagne on her tongue.

Moving her back, he gently lowered her onto the chaise lounge, taking his time to trail his fingers over her sides with every breath that she took.

"Do you want me to stop?" He paused for a moment and looked into her eyes.

She hesitated for a moment, before asking, "Will it hurt?"

"No, trust me. I won't ruin your reputation. You will still be whole if you ever choose to marry." He leaned over her lithe figure and kissed the base of her throat. "All you need to do is enjoy the moment."

Violet gasped again when his lips trailed down her chest.