Chapter Four
At first Suzanna froze at the suddenness of Mr. Templeton’s action. Then she melted into his arms, relaxing into his powerful embrace as his talented mouth consumed her. Her senses were heightened, but not to her surroundings, only to him. His heat, his scent, his possession of her mouth, her body.
For he did possess her body. As before, her heart thumped, her stomach clenched, and the area between her legs grew moist. The tips of her breasts tingled where they brushed against the stiffness of his coat. She had no control. Mr. Templeton held her body hostage.
He pulled back and scattered kisses along her jawline, her neck, the sensitive area behind her ear. Almost of its own volition, her head dropped to the side to grant him greater access. The heat between them built, and she longed to feel her skin against his skin, his heat against her heat.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices not more than twenty yards from where they stood. As if someone had thrown a glass of ice water over her, she stilled, and the passion she’d been feeling vanished like a puff of smoke. She pulled back and stared at him, incredulous. “What are you doing?”
“I think that is obvious.” His smirk was the very thing she needed to come completely to her senses.
“Is that your plan, then? To have us caught in a compromising situation so I have no choice but to marry you?”
His grin faded, and his brows drew together. “No. I do not cheat. I intend to court you and win your hand. Not by perfidy, but honestly.”
She shoved him away, straightened her clothing, then patted her hair. “Well, I believe it is a bit fortuitous that you assault me in a dark garden soon after voicing your intention to speak with my father.”
Despite the poor lighting, she could not miss the tightened lips and the snap of his eyes. “First of all, I did not assault you, and from your reaction to my so-called assault, you were certainly not in distress, but rather an active participant.”
She straightened her shoulders and raised her chin. “I believe we should return to the house.”
“Of course.” He gave her a stiff bow and offered his arm. “Just to be clear on something, Suzanna.”
Her insides knotted at the intimacy. “I did not give you leave to use my given name.”
He did not acknowledge her setdown but continued. “When I want something, I do everything in my power to succeed. Except deceit. I will win you fairly and honorably.”
Still reeling from the effects of his kiss, she was only too glad to leave the dark part of the garden and return to the rout. How very foolish of her to allow him to walk her that far away from the gathering. If anyone noticed them enough to comment, she didn’t hear it. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Then his words when I want something, I do everything in my power to win brought her up sharp. She’d already learned his kisses were powerful, and apt to make her forget herself—and her mother’s admonishment.
The best way to discourage Mr. Templeton was to avoid him as much as possible. With the Season in full swing that would not be easy, but if Mother learned of Mr. Templeton’s interest in her, there would be hell to pay.
Mr. Templeton had made it clear, more than once, that he did not accept discouragement. Or defeat.
If possible, the rout was more crowded than when they’d left. She couldn’t bear to suffocate in there again. She turned toward him. “I believe I will attempt to find Lady Montford and request we return home.”
Apparently, he saw something in her demeanor as his eyes swept over her face. “Do not distress yourself. I will find Lady Montford and request your carriage be brought around. Stay out here, next to the well-lit area, and I will return when all is ready.”
Despite herself, she could not help but notice his broad shoulders, trim hips, and long legs as he passed through the French doors and made his way among the clusters of guests. Even his gait conveyed confidence and power. As she watched him stop to speak with Lord Stirling, she admired the curls that teased the back of his cravat. Much longer than fashionable, but perfect on him.
Whatever was she to do? She couldn’t ask her new cousin-in-law, the duke, to speak with Mr. Templeton about his intentions. She cringed at the thought of asking His Grace to discourage his friend because he didn’t have a title. It would make her look so shallow.
If only she weren’t attracted to the man. Then she could easily dismiss him and slap his face if he attempted to kiss her again. In the past, she’d had no trouble discouraging other would-be suitors. A small voice inside her head scoffed—she did not want to discourage him. That was the problem. But she would, since Mother would be livid if she learned of his intentions.
She sighed. What a dilemma he’d caused her, and once again she bemoaned the life she lived in Society. After about ten minutes, Lady Montford came through the French door. “My dear, are you all right? Mr. Templeton said you weren’t feeling well.”
Suzanna linked her arm with her chaperone. “It’s just a bit too packed in here for me. Ever since I was a small girl and got lost in the overcrowded marketplace, I’ve been unsettled in large crowds. I feel much better now, but I prefer to return home.
“However, I don’t wish to spoil your evening. I can take the carriage by myself and send it back for you.”
“No, dear. I won’t allow that. Mr. Templeton is requesting our carriage to be readied, and it should be at the front of the house by the time we make it through this throng. Truth be known, I would enjoy some time at home with his lordship.” She winked at Suzanna, reminding her that Eunice and her husband had a love match. Eunice tugged slightly on their joined arms, and they moved through the crowd to the front entrance.
Mr. Templeton stood there, and as soon as he spotted them, he walked forward, concern in his eyes. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. I am sure I will be fine once we are on our way.”
Lady Montford smiled warmly and held out her hand to Mr. Templeton. “Thank you so much for your help this evening. Do call on us during our calling hours tomorrow. We will be delighted to see you.”
“Thank you, my lady. I will definitely be there.” With a slight bow, and a grin at Suzanna, he turned and left.
Wonderful. Just what I need. Lady Montford taken in by Giles’s charm.
…
The next afternoon, Giles straightened the cuffs of his jacket as he stepped out of his landau in front of Suzanna’s house. Even if she did not allow it spoken aloud, he would think of her as Suzanna and not Miss Blake from now on.
After her reaction to their kiss last night, he was thrilled with his progress, and firmly believed her insistence on a title was questionable. She may say she wanted only a man with a title, but she truly didn’t believe so.
“My lady, Mr. Templeton,” the butler announced, and Giles entered the drawing room. Lady Montford offered him a huge smile, and Suzanna scowled. He held in his laugh and headed straight to the two women.
“My lady, you are looking splendid, as usual.” He bowed over his hostess’s hand, then turned to Suzanna. “Miss Blake, a pleasure.”
“I am so happy you called, Mr. Templeton.” Lady Montford waved her hand in Suzanna’s direction. “Won’t you have a seat next to my cousin, and enjoy a bit of tea?”
He flipped back his coattails and settled next to Suzanna on the sofa. The woman on Lady Montford’s other side, Miss Grant, said something to his hostess, gaining her attention. Giles used the distraction to lean closer to Suzanna. “You are looking much improved from last evening. And aren’t you happy I came to call?”
She raised her cute little chin and regarded him. “It matters not to me whether you call or not. As I told you, your attentions on me are wasted.”
He reached out and took the cup and saucer from Lady Montford, nodding his thanks. She resumed her conversation with Miss Grant.
“If I recall, you’ve stated an interest in attentions only from a man with a title.”
Suzanna gave him a tight smile. “That is correct. So, you see, your attentions are superfluous.”
Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. Her delectable breasts rose and fell rapidly. He loved when he rattled her. Anger and denial, he could work with. Apathy and indifference would be deadly to his cause.
Instead of continuing their repartee, lest someone overhear it, he smiled, attempting to disarm her. Raising his voice, he said, “I am given to understand you have received an invitation to Lady Hawkins’s house party next week.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it abruptly, apparently not expecting the change of subject. She glanced at her lap and smoothed her skirt. “Yes, I believe so.”
“Excellent. I look forward to seeing you.”
“Are you behind this?” she hissed.
He had to swallow his grin at her suspicious tone, then raised his brows and placed his palm on his chest in mock horror. “Surely you don’t think my consequence—me, a mere untitled man—is such that I can persuade Lady Hawkins to host a house party on my behalf?” He shook his head. “Undoubtedly you jest, Miss Blake.”
“It seems odd to me that your close friend’s mother is having a house party now, with the Season in full measure.”
Having ended her conversation with Miss Grant, Lady Montford directed her attention to Suzanna. “Oh, but that is what makes the house party so welcome, my dear. Right about now, many of us are looking for a break from the constant whirlwind. The chance to relax in the country before resuming the Season’s hectic pace is a splendid idea. Lady Hawkins is most clever in her timing.”
“Yes, that is an ingenious notion,” Suzanna demurred, glancing sideways at Giles. “Very clever, indeed.”
He conjured up his most innocent smile. She shook her head and lowered her voice to almost a whisper. “Perhaps you were not the catalyst for the house party, but with Lord Hawkins being your friend, the coincidence of my invitation is questionable.”
More callers came, and a few left, but Giles remained by Suzanna’s side the entire time. When he wasn’t whispering annoying things in her direction meant to vex her, he turned his charm on Lady Montford, who was slowly, but surely, falling under his spell.
Finally, he was the only visitor left. After taking in the empty room, he stood and adjusted his jacket. “I believe it is well past the time I took my leave.”
“Yes, it certainly is,” Suzanna drawled.
“Suzanna!” Lady Montford viewed her with surprise. She turned to Mr. Templeton. “It has been a pleasure visiting with you, Mr. Templeton. The time has passed so quickly, I can’t believe it is already five o’clock.”
“Yes,” Suzanna added. “’Tis quite late. I am sure we have kept you from important duties, Mr. Templeton.” She rose and began edging toward the door, no doubt preferring that he leave.
He turned to Lady Montford. “I look forward to spending time with you and Miss Blake at the Hawkins’s house party next week.”
“Lady Hawkins is an excellent hostess, and a relaxing week will refresh us all for the remainder of the Season.” Lady Montford turned to Suzanna. “Will you see our guest out? I will retire to my bedchamber for a short respite before we must dress for dinner.”
“Of course.” She took Giles’s arm and mumbled under her breath, “I doubt someone as clever as Mr. Templeton needs guidance to find his way to the front door.”
Giles choked at her words, suppressing his laughter as they strolled to the foyer. “Thank you so much for your charming company, Miss Blake.” With a short bow, he took his hat and cane from the butler and left the house.
…
The following week, before the sun even made itself known, Suzanna climbed into Lord Montford’s carriage and covered her mouth to suppress a yawn. Because his lordship preferred to make the trip to Lady Hawkins’s house party without stopping overnight in what he called a bug-infested inn, they were leaving London at the crack of dawn.
Despite the prospect of spending most of the party dodging Mr. Templeton, she was still looking forward to the event. She did, indeed, feel the need to escape London for a bit, away from the grime and noise of the city and the frenetic pace of the Season.
She’d only seen Mr. Templeton—she refused to even think of him as Giles—a couple of times since his visit to her cousin’s house—for which she was grateful. At the events they both attended, he was polite and proper, danced with her once per evening, and otherwise acted the gentleman, with no requests to walk in dark gardens, nor had he made any more intimate remarks in her ear.
Truth be known, she was disappointed and wondered if he had decided to withdraw his attentions. Which of course, is precisely what she wanted. She reminded herself of that fact several times a day. But even so, when he wasn’t watching her, she allowed herself the opportunity to study him.
Aside from being easy on the eyes and charming, he was also honest, forthright, and kindhearted. He had spent a great deal of time at the last event they’d attended listening to elderly Lady Forsythe ramble on and on about how things had been when she was young.
He’d even taken Lord Danforth to task when he’d insulted a young debutante who’d fled the room in tears. He’d danced several times with known wallflowers and brought lemonade and champagne to the elderly matrons sitting with the chaperones. It appeared his popularity with the ton was not just from his good looks and pockets of money.
Although she noticed his good side, he still came across as arrogant to her. His insistence and confidence that he would win her hand, even though she tried to discourage him, had her pushing back every time he pulled.
Although the moniker “arrogant” was generally reserved for men, Suzanna was enough under her mother’s thumb that she did not relish the idea of marrying a man who would spend his life directing hers. As the carriage moved forward, leaving the city behind, she turned her thoughts to her situation thus far into the Season. Mother had written several times, inquiring on her progress with attracting the attention of a peer. She always cringed when she read those notes, not only because she knew the man who had shown her the most interest would never receive Father’s approval, but also because Mother’s constant harping on a title made her feel imperious.
She had always held in contempt those girls who’d constantly dwelled on who the best catch was, how high of a title one could attract, and how one should never settle for less than another girl. It was all so competitive, sordid, and cold. No one ever spoke of love or respect. Giggling and blushing young girls were happy to marry an old man who was titled and rich, hoping he would die quickly, leaving them with an heir to secure the title, money, and freedom.
She knew a few couples who had married for love and had remained happy and true to each other. But as she took note, those couples were not in abundance. Her cousin Patience and the duke came to mind. Most couples living in matrimonial harmony also seemed to avoid London and spent most of their time together at country estates. That was the sort of marriage she wanted for herself.
But if she followed her mother’s desires, she had no choice. There was the possibility, of course, of finding a titled gentleman who was not old enough to be her grandfather, and also handsome, charming, loyal, faithful, and kind, who would love her, and she could love in return. Just as there was a chance of finding a pink unicorn underneath her bed tonight.
It was all so depressing.
Then there was Mr. Giles Templeton. She had yet to meet anyone who affected her the way he did. She’d danced with numerous men, conversed and had supper with several, and always she was left with a feeling of emptiness. None of them stirred her, made her heart pound, or tempted her in any way.
Only Mr. Templeton had been able to do that. Curse the man. She sighed and closed her eyes, wishing for a few more hours of sleep to help pass the time in the carriage.
Her eyes slowly opened as the vehicle came to a rolling stop in front of a posting inn. “This one looks presentable,” Lord Montford said, pushing the window curtain aside and glancing at the Bear and Beaver Inn. “I think we can find an acceptable meal here.”
An ostler ran out to take charge of the horses as Suzanna and Lady Montford gathered their bonnets, gloves, and reticules. Lord Montford assisted his wife down the few steps and then turned to help Suzanna, when she groaned at the sound of a very familiar voice. “I will be happy to assist Miss Blake, my lord.”
One foot on the top step, Suzanna stopped, and her eyes narrowed as Mr. Templeton strode up to the carriage, his eyes twinkling with mirth, his hand held out to assist her. “Good afternoon, Miss Blake. Imagine running into you here.”
Her lips tightened. “Yes. Imagine.”