Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

J enny waited by the pianoforte for David to return with Millie, one of his maids who knew how to play. She had spent all day flittering around her house with nervous energy, but now that she was here, she felt frozen in place.

She'd been to David's residence several times now, and each time she kept waiting for it to get easier. It never did.

She knew there was something brewing between them, but she also knew she wasn't experienced enough to know what it was.

She walked over to the large window that looked over the back half of a garden. Rows of beautiful flowers swayed in the summer breeze, lit by the moonlight.

She felt his presence behind her.

"My sister helped plant them. She and my mother worked tirelessly with our gardener to make it just right."

His voice was low and gruff, with a hint of something she couldn't quite place.

Sadness?

"It's beautiful. They must've been very proud of their work." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Maybe it was the mystery that night held, but Jenny felt a vulnerability radiating from him. It made her want to push to see if he would open up to her.

"Do you spend a lot of time out there?"

"No," he bit out, and the spell was broken.

He abruptly stepped from her and cleared his throat. He motioned to a small woman standing next to the pianoforte.

"Miss Bennett, this is Millie. She'll be our accompanist for this evening's lesson."

Jenny dipped her head and smiled at the woman. "Thank you so much for playing for us. I'm sorry it is late in the night. I hope we aren't asking too much of you."

The maid looked up from the ground and quickly glanced at David, looking for approval.

David nodded for her to respond.

"'Tis fine, Miss. I enjoy playing, and if I can help in any way, I'm honored to do so."

Millie sat on the bench and started playing low and soft. The music was lovely and emotional, and it immediately drew Jenny in.

David came and stood beside her, and together they watched Millie play.

"She plays beautifully," Jenny remarked, awed.

David nodded in agreement. "She does. She came to my family when she was young. She always played—she learned with my sister. They used to love playing together."

Sadness. It was sadness that Jenny noted in his voice. Of course. He lost his sister a few years ago. It must be very hard for him to talk about her.

Hoping to lighten the mood, Jenny nudged him. "Well, shall we start? The sooner we start, the sooner I can take care of my feet after you step all over them."

The corner of David's mouth quirked up. "If I remember correctly, it was Lord Banefield who ruined your slippers that night. I actually recall you complimenting my dancing abilities."

Jenny rolled her eyes. "You must be losing your memory in your old age. That does not sound like something I would say about you."

David smirked. "Well then, I guess I need to prove myself again." He led her to the center of the room. "Now, tonight's lesson is all about touch."

The amiable mood Jenny had just created evaporated. Her core turned to molten lava at the word ‘touch.'

David held his hand out to her, his eyes challenging her to accept it.

She took a deep breath and slipped her hand in his, feeling little shocks of electricity run up her arm to fan the flame that was ignited in her core.

David wrapped one strong arm around her waist while the other held her hand up in his. "Place your other hand on my shoulder."

Jenny chewed on her lower lip. She knew how to dance—she'd been doing it for years. However, there was something about being instructed by him that made this particular dance feel more intimate than any other dance she'd partaken in.

She lightly placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Good. Now, once we start to move, and conversation is flowing, I want you to ever so slowly move that hand closer to my neck."

Jenny furrowed her brow in confusion. "That seems quite forward."

David looked down at her. "It can be. But if the conversation is pleasant and you can tell he's enjoying himself, light, little touches will be welcomed, I guarantee."

She cocked her head. "How could you possibly guarantee something like that?"

"Because I am a man."

His eyes locked onto hers, and she wanted to look away. There was so much authority in the way he was looking at her that it both frightened and excited her.

"I told you before, we are simple creatures. Keep it simple with us and you'll go far."

She looked down as they twirled around the room.

"Next, keep eye contact."

Jenny closed her eyes in defeat. She knew he was going to say that.

"Eyes on me, Jenny," he commanded.

A wave of fire rolled over her, and her eyes rose to meet his.

"Eye contact is very important to men. You can tell almost everything there is to know about a person when you look in their eyes."

David continued to twirl her around the room, the hand on her waist guiding her.

"If they're honest, if they're friendly, if they mean you harm." He leaned to whisper in her ear, "If they want you. The key to everyone's secrets is in their eyes. You just have to know how to unlock them."

It was too much. Jenny wanted desperately to pull away. They were too close, too connected. Feelings she didn't understand overtook her when she was this close to him. She never could decipher if it was a good or a bad that he had this effect on her.

"And what is it when you look into my eyes, Your Grace? What secrets do you see there?"

She hoped she sounded flirty, but she felt the conversation was veering away from flirty to something more.

"That's where you seem to differ from most women I've met."

"How so?"

David took a moment to consider her question. "Most women who approach me are looking for something, a means to an end."

Jenny's eyebrows rose. "You mean like what I'm doing right now?"

David smiled. "If you recall, I approached you with this offer. So, no, not like what you're doing. As I was saying, you don't hide what you're thinking or feeling."

"Much to the dismay of the ton, I assure you." Jenny scrunched up her nose.

"Well, that's a shame. I find it refreshing that what I see is what I get with you. I don't feel like you have any secrets—you are probably the most genuine person I know."

Jenny preened under his compliment. She was often made to feel that her outward behavior and free expression were a blight on her character, not a strength. Here, in his arms, she felt seen, understood, and appreciated.

The music continued as they moved around the dance floor.

David looked down at her and smiled. "Miss Bennett, did you intend to do that?"

Jenny furrowed her brow. "Do what?"

"Where is your hand?

Jenny's eyes flicked to their clasped hands, and her eyebrows knitted together.

"Not that one, kitten."

It was then that her body reconnected her other hand to her mind. Before she dragged her eyes to her other hand, she could feel the strand of dark hair she was toying with between her fingers.

Horrified, she stepped back and covered her mouth. "Your Grace! I am so sorry!"

What was happening to her? She had no idea the hand on his shoulder had made its way up to his neck to play with the hair that curled just over his collar. What if she had done that in public?

David didn't hide his smile as he gathered her back into his arms. "No need for apologies, kitten. Again, I did tell you to do that if the moment felt right. It felt right," he said with a shrug.

Jenny was still beside herself. "I wasn't even thinking. One minute I'm listening to you talk, and the next my hand is in your hair. I'm so embarrassed."

He resumed the dance. "Again, if this dance was happening at an actual ball and I was having an enjoyable conversation with a lady, and her fingers touched my hair or neck, I would have to be a complete imbecile not to know her interest. You want men to know you're interested in them? You need to show them you're interested. You did just that."

Jenny huffed. This didn't feel appropriate. She couldn't see herself doing that with another man.

"Did you make yourself move your hand?"

She looked up at David. "No. It was like it had a mind of its own."

"So you were comfortable, you read my body language, and something in your brain made your hand move. Did you feel me tense up under your touch?"

Jenny nodded.

"Exactly. Again, we're simple beings. We work in the realms of ‘yes' and ‘no.' A man would be quick to tell you if you go too far. Although I don't know a man alive who wouldn't appreciate that move from you."

Jenny laughed. "I can definitely name a few."

David's eyes darkened, and she wondered if she said the wrong thing.

"Did I say something that upset you, Your Grace?"

David snapped himself out of wherever his thoughts had taken him."No, I'm sorry. I got distracted for a moment."

He pulled away from her and rubbed his hands on his trousers.

"Millie?" He looked over to the pianoforte. "That's all for tonight, thank you."

Jenny looked at him in confusion. "Are we done for tonight?"

David waved her off. "No, we can continue our lesson in the parlor."

He turned and walked out of the room.

Jenny sighed. Something offended him, and she was going to figure out this man even if it was the last thing she did.

David walked into the parlor and right to the bar to pour himself a shot of whisky. His mind was racing with images of Jenny dancing with other men, touching other men. He was seeing red. He needed to calm down before he touched her again, or he would do something they both would most likely regret.

Why was it only now dawning on him that the lessons he was giving her were for her benefit with other men? He was becoming too attached to her.

Downing his whisky and quickly pouring himself another, he once again reminded himself that she was off-limits to him.

Jenny pushed through the door. He took in the blush on her cheeks and the rise and fall of her chest.

Uh oh, the kitten has her claws out. Good.

"What has gotten into you? I cannot keep up with your mood swings."

She crossed her arms in front of her, unconsciously pushing up her breasts. David threw back his whisky to give himself time to collect his thoughts.

"My apologies, that was rude of me." He put his tumbler down on the bar and approached her. "I just thought that since you obviously mastered the slight touch while dancing, we should focus on other ways you can show your interest in a man."

Jenny stood for a moment, studying him. "Well, next time feel free to show a little more decorum and not just storm away."

David dipped his head in apology. "Would you care for a drink?"

Jenny shrugged. "Sherry, if you have it."

David poured some into a glass and offered it to her. As she reached out for it, he pulled it back.

"There is always an opportunity to show your interest in someone, kitten. Don't let the moment pass you by."

She tilted her head in question. "How is taking a glass from someone a moment to show interest?"

David tsked. "Brushing of fingers can be very seductive, kitten. When you reach for the glass, over-extend your hand a little. A slight touch here and there will go a long way, trust me."

He once again held the glass out for her to take.

She blew out a breath and reached for it, this time letting her fingers stretch out a little further than she intended. Her fingers brushed against his as she took the glass.

David blew out a breath. Through her gloves, he could feel the heat from her fingertips as they wrapped around his. It was as if her fingers were branding his—it was intoxicating. If he could have her touch everywhere, he would gladly wear her brand.

Her pupils dilated. She felt it too, he was certain of it. Alarm bells rang in his head, so he dropped his hand once she had the glass firmly in her hand.

"Well done." Blast it. His voice came out low and broken. She had too much power over him.

She brought the glass up to her mouth. He watched her lips close over the rim and her throat work as she swallowed. He tried to suppress a moan, but he couldn't. She was a siren of the worst kind, one who didn't know how her magic worked. He was falling for her song, and if he wasn't careful, he'd be lost to her forever.

"So, now that I have mastered the art of touch while dancing and drinking, what is next?"

"Conversation."

Jenny wrinkled her nose. "Please don't make me touch people when they're talking. I see ladies do it all the time, and quite frankly, I get embarrassed for them."

David chuckled. "What do you mean?"

Jenny pursed her lips. "You know exactly what I mean. These silly ladies who giggle and touch a man's arm in hopes of catching his attention, when really it just sends him running for the hills."

She then did an impersonation of those women by letting out a high-pitched giggle while grabbing his arm as if it were a life raft in the middle of the ocean.

David couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, those chits are quite annoying and not at all what I'm referring to."

Jenny persisted with her act.

"Good Lord, will you stop?"

David was about to double over in laughter. He couldn't remember a time when he enjoyed another's person company as much as hers.

"I'm just saying, whenever a woman touches a man during a conversation, it makes me annoyed. They are trying too hard. I could never," she sniffed.

David pointed at her. "Exactly, they are trying too hard."

He put his drink down, or what was left of it—he spilled most of it while he was laughing at her performance.

"Tell me, when we were dancing and you touched me, were you trying?"

Jenny shook her head in earnest. "No, it just happened."

"Young women who try too hard are just that, trying, and it feels most inauthentic. But a touch that happens accidentally…" He lowered his voice to a whisper as he leaned in. "Now that has the ability to elicit strong emotions from both sides." He ran his fingertips down her arm. "‘Did she mean to touch me?' ‘Does she want to touch me again?' ‘Can I reciprocate?' It's all a part of the game."

Jenny stared back at him, unblinking. She was hanging on his every word. The need to act on the growing need within her was becoming too strong to ignore.

Just then, she said the two words that would send him straight to hell if he obliged.

"Kiss me."

David chuckled. "You're becoming quite demanding, kitten."

"You heard me." Her eyes searched his, and her hands tangled in his hair as she pulled herself up on her tiptoes. "Kiss me," she breathed.

Her lips crashed into his, swallowing his laugh. Suddenly, it wasn't funny.

Without warning, his arms pulled her closer to him, drawing a sigh from her lips that made him hungry for more. He pushed her back towards the desk behind her, lifting her onto it.

Her legs naturally opened, allowing him to stand between them. His hands cupped her face, angling it to the perfect position to consume her.

Their tongues crashed against each other in a fight for dominance, neither one wanting to ignore the lust that had overtaken them.

David's body erupted in flames when Jenny's hands slid to his front, pulling at his cravat and the top button of his shirt. He wanted her brand, her nails on his skin. He wanted more than to just take her. He wanted to consume her.

He pushed her down onto the desk, grinding the bulge in his trousers against her most delectable center. He swallowed her moan as he began to move. His lips trailed down her neck, leaving bite marks in its wake.

Jenny squirmed underneath him, her legs now wrapped around him, and she tried to pull him closer to her. David thanked God she was a fast learner.

That thought alone was like a cold bucket of water thrown over his head.

She is innocent.

He took a breath to gather his thoughts. His body was itching to do what it was designed to do, but his mind was trying desperately to regain control. It was a fight he was tired of having around her, but one that he mustn't lose.

He pulled away from her deliciously sensitive neck and kissed her panting lips. Then he rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling.

"I am sorry, Miss Bennett." His voice was soft and low.

"You better be apologizing for stopping," Jenny quipped.

David stood to adjust himself. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. "I'm afraid not. I should not have taken it that far. I took advantage of your innocence. I hope you can accept my apology."

Jenny sat up on the desk, her chest still rising and falling with her heavy breaths. "No need to apologize, Your Grace. I was a willing participant." Her smile was slight but was filled with apprehension. "Did I—Did I do something wrong?"

She lowered her eyes out of frustration, and a sweet pink blush crept onto her cheeks.

David stepped back between her legs to cup her face in his hands once again. "No, no, no. You were, you are, perfect. It is I… I should not have done this."

"Nonsense. You are acting as if you tricked me into it. I came here of my own volition. I am here for exactly this. To learn. So teach me."

Once more, She reached up to pull him closer to her. His hands covered hers, and he stepped back.

"You do not know what you are freely giving up."

David looked into her eyes for some sense of understanding, but he only found defiance. Normally, he would be impressed with a woman's ability to know what she wanted, but at that moment, he wished she was more of the docile sort.

She looked up at him with hurt in her eyes. "I am not a child, nor am I naive when it comes to what is expected when a man and a woman…" she trailed off.

"When a man and woman what? If you can't say it, then you shouldn't be doing it."

He was angry. Did she not know what she was carelessly giving away?

Jenny groaned and pushed him further back. "You're doing it again. You push me away whenever we get close. Why are you fighting this?"

"No, I'm pushing you away for your own good. You're too young to get swept up in this."

The color rose high on her cheeks. "Do not begin to presume you know what's the best for me . I am tired of people assuming they know my heart and mind. I am my own woman, Your Grace."

"You know nothing of what men like me are capable of." He towered over her. "If you learn one thing from me, Miss Bennett, let it be this—men like me are dangerous. We do things that can't be forgiven. When you choose your match, make sure he is nothing like me."

Jenny's eyes widened, and she could barely hold back her tears. "You don't mean that. How could you say?—"

"Because it is true!" he bellowed. "You said yourself you know your own heart. Well, I know my character better than anyone else. I am not who you think I am, and there are a lot more of my kind out there than gentlemen. I beg of you to find the latter, or else your life will be nothing but heartbreak. Now, stop acting like a child and go."

Jenny stood there, bereft, confusion written all over her face. David stalked over to his tumbler of whisky and threw it back, letting the burn soothe his aching throat. He couldn't bear to look at her despondent face anymore.

Curse her and her expressive features.

He didn't turn around when the door slammed shut behind him. He didn't sit when he heard her steps disappear into the night. He didn't sleep when the footman he ordered to follow her brought back word of her safe return to her home.

Like it or not, this was his cross to bear, and if he couldn't protect his sister, he would protect Jenny, even if it killed him.