“My goodness.” Silas studied the large space with as much awe as Prue. “Are we still in London?”
She laughed. “It feels as if we’re on an exotic island somewhere, doesn’t it?”
He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
They wandered along the path that circled through the conservatory, quickly forgetting their purpose.
“Can you imagine having this to enjoy whenever the mood struck?” Prue whispered after pausing to admire an exotic orchid that emitted a spicy fragrance.
“No.” Silas shook his head. “The expense to maintain it must be staggering.”
The fact that he’d thought of expenses, when so few in the ton did, showed just how important funds were to him and his family. No wonder he intended to marry an heiress. The thought was sobering.
“Look at this one.” He pointed to a bright pink bloom with long narrow petals.
She bent closer to draw in the fragrance. “Delightful. It smells of how I imagine the Far East might.”
Silas chuckled and sniffed it as well. “I have no idea what the Far East smells like, but I’m certain you’re right.”
They continued forward, the warmth of Silas’s hand at the low of her back just above her bustle a welcome distraction. Embracing his attention when she was with him was easy. There would be time enough in the coming months to worry about life without him when he found his heiress.
She frequently touched his arm to direct his attention, reveling in the closeness they shared even if it was temporary.
“Prue.”
She turned to face him, surprised by the intensity in his expression. “Yes?”
“I have been thinking and feel I should apologize for the evening at the ball.”
Please don’t, she wanted to say. That meant he regretted their kisses. She didn’t. “There’s no need.” Especially since she had kissed him first.
“I meant to offer comfort.” He offered the crooked smile that never failed to weaken her knees. “Yet I seem to lose my focus when we’re together.”
She smoothed his lapel then rested her hand on his chest, wondering if she dared to wrap her arms around him the way she had the other night. “You did comfort me. You helped me to see there is more to me than others think. You showed me that I am desirable.” Her stomach dipped at her words, hardly able to believe she’d admitted such a thing. “Thank you for that.”
“You are very desirable.” He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, his touch causing a shiver along her skin.
“So are you.” Prue followed her instinct and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, offering her mouth, desperate for him to take it.
Her heart soared as he reached for her waist and drew her against his length, the contact making her ache with desire.
He deepened the kiss, and her breasts tightened as passion took hold. She loved the way he made her feel—as if she were beautiful and the only one for him.
At this moment, the future didn’t matter. She wouldn’t think about the past either. Only Silas and the present.
She ran her gloved hand over his neck then along the strong line of his jaw, wishing she knew how to make him feel the same way she did.
The warmth of his body seeped into hers, and she shifted against him, longing for more. When his hand cupped her breast, she gasped, breaking their kiss to focus on his touch.
“Prue, you are delectable,” he murmured as he pressed kisses along her neck. “I want to taste every inch of you.”
Liquid heat filled her at his words. “Yes.” She wanted that too.
His head lowered to her modest neckline, the sight of his dark head against her flesh erotic. The feel of his fingers sliding inside that neckline had her leaning her head back as pleasure took an even firmer hold.
This.
This was why ladies were ruined. This aching need that was impossible to resist.