A Lady Betrayed by Nicole Byrd Page B

banns being read—what more could she expect from him? Why did she still wonder?
    Why could she not trust him completely? Was it something she sensed about him, or something lacking in herself that she found it so hard to trust? Perhaps it was only that their acquaintance was so new, their engagement so oddly made. Maddie bit her lip and looked away from him.
    â€œI don’t know why…” she started, and then paused again. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œDon’t be,” he told her, his voice gentle. “After all, we have found ourselves in a strange predicament.” He reached across the space that separated them and took her hand before she realized what he was about. Adrian lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back gently, with a soft precision that sent sparks of feeling all the way up her arm.
    Maddie had to fix all her resolution not to jerk her hand away. It was like coming into contact with a leaping flame, except it was not a pain—no, it was more like an exquisite pleasure, but almost more delight than one could stand. How did wives endure so much joy, if their husbands pleased them so deeply with every touch? She almost moaned aloud but managed to swallow the sound before it emerged from her lips.
    But instead of leaving her alone to sort out her very confused feelings, the confounded man leaned forward and kissed her hard on the same lips that had almost betrayed her. He tasted of port wine and warm sunshine.
    â€œAnd you will stay here for four weeks?” She pulled away and tried to sound as if her mind was still alert.
    â€œSince I’ve already been here almost a week, that’s not such a long visit, unless you feel you will weary of my company?” That irresistible grin lifted the corners of his lips again.
    She smiled back, unable to withstand him. “Of course not, I just meant…”
    When he smiled at her just so, she couldn’t remember what she meant. She took a sip of wine to cover her moment of confusion.
    This was ridiculous, Maddie decided. They were betrothed. They were alone. She should enjoy the moment. She set her glass down up on the table. “And what did you wish to tell me?” she asked boldly.
    â€œJust this,” he murmured, taking her hand and once again lifting it to kiss. He brushed his lips over her fingers one by one while she shivered from the sensations that the warmth of his kisses produced. Then he turned her hand over and pressed a more distinct kiss upon the palm; this one Maddie felt deep within her. It was all she could do to remain still and not fling herself bodily upon him.
    Was this flirting? She had heard of discreet flirtations between sophisticated ladies and gentlemen, but how did one manage the necessary self-control? She found that she was breathing quickly, and she thought that the viscount’s breath was also coming more rapidly.
    She watched the way his eyelids lowered over his dark eyes, and the veins in his temples throbbed; she could draw a map of his face, she thought. She ached to reach out and push an errant lock of hair back behind his well-shaped ear.
    Now his kisses moved up her wrist, to her arms, and she felt the sensations inside her body deepen, the longings increase, and she fought not to slip down upon the settee and pull him down with her. She didn’t even really know what she wished for, only that she wanted to be close, she wanted him to assuage these deep longings in a way that she instinctively knew that he would understand how to do.
    Lord Weller looked into her eyes and kissed her palm one last time, then released her with reluctance. “We’d best stop for now, my darling Madeline. If your father comes in, he will take one look at your languorous eyes and know precisely what we have been about.”
    â€œOh!” Maddie said, alarmed. She moved back a few inches and tried to straighten both her collar and her face before anyone could indeed recognize