Georgina, Duchess of Bedford, held up her hands to
gain her guests' attention. "We will now have a cotillion,
where everyone changes partners when the music stops. But
Lady Holland tells me the latest craze in London is a
kissing dance. So when the dance ends, the
gentleman will kiss his partner!"
Whistles went up from all the males in the ballroom.
Louisa drew in a quick breath and she felt her
cheeks grow warm. Mother and Beth have come up with
this plan because I told them I've never been kissed. I
should leave!
An inner voice told her this was the only way she could win
her wager with her sister Georgy. When George Grey asked
to partner her, she was on the horns of a dilemma.
Should I run or should I stay? For a moment Louisa
was rooted to the spot and then George took her hand and
led her into the dance.
Each time the music stopped, there was a tangible air
of anticipation. When it started again, everyone laughed
and changed partners. The dance went on and on, as the
musicians played a few bars, ceased playing for a beat or
two, then resumed the music.
Georgina watched the couples closely. When at last
she saw James Hamilton take her daughter Louisa as his
partner, she signaled the musicians to end the dance.
When Louisa heard the music stop, she drew in a swift
breath.
Oh, please, please, play on! She waited as
three beats stretched into four and she was suddenly
gripped by panic.
This cannot be happening to me!
She glanced up and her eyes met Abercorn's triumphant
gaze. Her long black lashes swept down immediately and lay
fanned against her pale cheeks. She stiffened as she felt
Hamilton's powerful arms envelope her. She could hear her
heartbeat thudding inside her eardrums and fear spiraled
through her belly.
To Louisa, everything seemed to be happening in slow
motion. She felt the pressure of his hands on her back as
he drew her close. Her lashes flew up in time to see his
dark head bend toward her and his lips descend slowly to
take possession of her mouth. She gasped for breath and as
her lips opened, her eyes closed and Abercorn kissed her.
I must resist him. She held herself
rigid, but gradually his compelling closeness overwhelmed
her and her thoughts ceased to exist. She stopped thinking
and starting feeling. Her stiffness melted and her lips
softened beneath his possessive mouth. His male scent
stole her senses and his hard, muscled body pressed against
hers, luring her to raise her arms and cling to him. She
heard the whisper of her gown as it brushed against his
marble-hard thighs. Her lips could taste the raw desire of
his mouth as he bent her to his will. And then it was
over. She felt dismay that the kiss ended and she
staggered as he withdrew his powerful arms from her. She
gazed up into his dark eyes.
I'll remember your kiss
forever.
Louisa blinked as if awakening from a trance.
Dear God, you must never let the dominant Irish devil
know the effect he had on you! She raised her hand and
slapped his face. She knew immediately it was the worst
thing she could have done. He grinned down at her
knowingly. The slap told him exactly how devastating his
kiss had been.
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