Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

G enevieve sat in the small drawing room of the lodging house. Matilda and Charlotte waited silently while Genevieve's ladies' maid finished placing the tray of hot tea and biscuits before them.

The moment they were alone, Matilda rounded on her. "You shared a kiss with Lord Tyndall last evening. What happened for that to transpire, Genevieve! We must know! We're dying of the frustration of not living vicariously through you."

Genevieve poured the tea and placed a lump of sugar in each cup before answering. Her mind still did not know how to comprehend what had occurred herself, nevertheless explain it to her friends.

"I do not know what happened. I was at the ball as you were, and then Lord Tyndall was before me, demanding to know who I was. He seemed odd and not like the frosty earl he normally is around me. I wanted to taunt him a little. You know…see how much I could tease him and, well…"

"Oh yes, well indeed. We know only too well how much you both love bickering. But you kissed Tyndall at a ball. Do you think anyone knew who you were?" Charlotte asked, a concerned frown between her brows.

Genevieve shrugged. "I do not think so. Not even Lord Tyndall knew who I was until Matilda came calling for me and gave me away."

Matilda had the grace to look sheepish. "I do apologize. I came around the corner looking for you and called your name in shock when I saw you in an embrace with Lord Tyndall. An embrace I must say was quite scandalous indeed. He had his hands on your bottom."

A shiver of awareness ran through Genevieve, and she nodded, only too aware of where Tyndall's hands had been and what he had been grinding against her body. Her stomach quivered even now.

Would they ever repeat such an interaction? Disappointment stabbed at her that they would not. A shame, for she dearly enjoyed having a man in her arms and teasing her as he had. Was that the sensation that everyone called desire? Did she now desire Lord Tyndall, or could she experience such a reaction with anyone?

"Yes, he did indeed."

"Were you scandalized or did you relish his pawing?" Charlotte asked, interest shining in her bright-blue eyes.

Genevieve bit back a grin, but even she knew she, too, looked like the cat who found the cream. "I must admit that I've never been held in such a way by a man, and certainly did not expect Tyndall to be the first. But now that he has, the sensations that ran through my body, ladies, well, even now my skin feels all prickly, and my stomach tumbles with nerves. I enjoyed his pawing more than I thought I ever would. He is quite the seducer, but he was also terribly angry with me. You saw his face when he accosted me at the door just before. I fear he will tell my parents."

"He would not dare. Not after he ravished you before everyone?" Matilda said.

"What did he say to you? I hope you told him he has no right to chide you like a child," Charlotte stated.

"We argued. He was mortified it was me he kissed." Annoyance ran through her. Had he not enjoyed the kiss as much as she did? Blasted rogue did not know when something extraordinary was in his arms. "He threatened to tell my parents, but I reminded him that should he, I would demand Papa make Lord Tyndall marry me out of duty, which cooled his threat to be a snitch. Even so, I think he was more mad at himself than anything else. There were—let me say—signs that his lordship was not immune to my charms."

She chuckled, and so did her friends before she rallied her thoughts. "But I did end up explaining that I'm not looking to his lordship for marriage, that I have my sights on someone completely different, and that he should keep his mouth closed and allow me to continue on with my Season as I have so far."

"And did he agree?" Charlotte asked.

"I'm not sure," she answered truthfully. "I think he will not tell a soul that he kissed me, but he wanted to know who I wanted to pursue. I did not tell him. I need to learn more about Mr. Venzellons before I decide if he would be a suitable husband. And he does live in New York, which would mean leaving England and you both, which, of course, I would miss you both terribly. There is a lot to consider."

"But then, Mr. Venzellons is deadly handsome and rich. Your life in America would not be so very different from yours here, and being the daughter of a duke, you would be quite a popular guest in society. You would suit your new life and do very well abroad."

"Perhaps." Genevieve, as much as she needed a husband now, hadn't thought much about leaving the country of her birth to enjoy a marriage. A pang of sadness settled in her soul at the thought of leaving her beloved England and her two friends. She would be unlikely to return home very much, and would miss Charlotte and Matilda dreadfully, as well as her troublesome brother, just a little bit.

The image of Lord Tyndall flashed before her eyes, and she knew she would miss his lordship, possibly most of all. Not that she ought to miss him. For years, he was a cad and had made it clear that he found her more annoying than alluring.

Except for last evening…

That had indeed put a little wrench in her plans. It made her wonder if Tyndall would see her in a new light after their kiss. He certainly seemed to enjoy her. She bit her lip, wanting to feel the enticement, the passion he evoked.

"You ought to forget about Tyndall and concentrate on Mr. Venzellons. Maybe there will also be an opportunity for you to kiss the gentleman. Decide if you like his kisses better than Tyndall's, and then the choice will be easy. If you enjoyed Tyndall more, knowing he is your enemy and has been for years, then perhaps staying in England and finding a husband here would be best instead of leaving for a new country where you'll be alone with your mistake. But…if Mr. Venzellons sparks a desire in you that will not be sated, you should pursue him. I'm certain your body and soul will tell you which direction you ought to choose," Charlotte said with a decisive nod.

"I think you're right of course. I will not rush into my decision. We have the Millers ball tomorrow evening. I'm certain both gentlemen will be present. It will allow me to see how interested Mr. Venzellons is in my hand. If Lord Tyndall does not cause any more trouble and keeps out of my way, I will be able to make a decision more easily."

"He will not bother you again. As you said, had he known who you were, he would never have kissed you," Matilda said.

A disappointing truthful statement. Lord Tyndall had looked mortified, sickened to his stomach, when he'd realized he had kissed his best friend's sister. His enemy.

She may be a woman, but he would forever see her as a nuisance, a troublesome child who followed him, mooning over his good looks and acceptability. Well, she was done being bottle-headed. She had a new gentleman to court, which would hopefully prove worthwhile. She would know her choice was correct if she felt the familiar desire Tyndall evoked with Venzellons.

Lord Tyndall loathed his mistake in kissing her. Here's hoping Mr. Venzellons would be different.