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Dallis heard the pounding on the door and realized that for some reason Shaw wasn’t going to answer the caller. Even though it was highly improper, Dallis opened the door herself. She stood in surprise at who stood on her doorstep. Lord Roderick Beckwith swayed back and forth, trying to fight for his balance. His eyes glazed over as his lips pulled into a lopsided smile.
“Yous is sooooo betiful.”
He was drunk. The ever-proper, keeping his temper in a tight control, protective Rory Beckwith, was blazing drunk. He reached out to wrap his finger around a stray curl.
“Soooo soft. Knew wods be.”
Rory’s touch stilled Dallis from helping him stand. The gentle caress caught her unaware. His thumb brushed across the loose strand. Rory continued to sway and soon lost his balance. He fell into the doorjamb, where he decided to lean. When Dallis didn’t respond to Rory, he took his touch one step further and brushed his thumb across her lips. The jolt propelled Dallis closer to him, her mouth opening at his touch.
“Soft engf to kiss.”
Dallis didn’t know how to react. Rory was finally near and touching her. Her body took over, responding to his need. Her tongue slowly slid out to lick his thumb. At her reaction, he groaned and pulled her into his arms.
“See, I tolds you I’s dangerous.”
Rory’s lips devoured hers passionately, exploding her senses. His mouth pulling kiss after kiss from her soul, while his hands dived into her hair causing her hair pins to scatter across the foyer. As he sensed her desire, the kiss turned more urgent. Everything she ever read about was coming true at this moment. Still, Dallis held back from responding due to her naivety. Until he groaned and tightened his embrace, giving her the encouragement to return his kiss and match him stroke for stroke.
“We thought this might be your next destination. C’mon mate, before the neighbors catch sight of your stupidity. I told you, Sheffield, that he would go to her.”
Sheffield and Wildeburg pulled Rory away from Dallis. Her face flamed with embarrassment to be caught so intimately in Rory’s embrace. Dallis held her cheeks as Wildeburg led him away.
“Sorrysss Dallis,” Rory called out.
“For the kiss?” she whispered.
Sheffield answered for him. “No, my dear, for another matter. I am working to quell that problem. But you should be aware that he defended your honor at the club today with Lord Phipps.”
“Defended, how?”
“By a bloody punch to the nose.”
“Oh. More to add to my embarrassment.”
“I am afraid so. Do you remember our conversation in the park?”
“Yes.”
“If it is any comfort, you are not the only one suffering from love.”
“Then why does he ignore me?”
“Pride, my dear Dallis. A man’s greatest downfall in life.”
“Pshh.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“Thank you, Sheffield.”
“Anything for a friend. Will we see you at the Sambourne Ball?”
“Yes, I am very excited. Lady Beckwith offered to introduce me to Lord Holdenburg.”
“So I have heard. Another reason for our acquaintance’s inebriation.”
Dallis smiled. Rory’s display of drunken affection proved he was jealous. Was he jealous enough to stop the courtship her grandmother proposed? If not, his actions this afternoon secured that he must court her or ruin her reputation. They could have explained away the punch, but the kiss held the most damage. Dallis knew her grandmother’s neighbors watched them. There wasn’t an activity in the neighborhood they didn’t observe.
“Give Sophia my love.”
“Will do. Please save me a dance this evening. We might as well make the bloke so bloody jealous that he will become a pup at your feet, begging for a treat.”
Dallis closed the door as Sheffield entered his carriage. She leaned against the paneling, her smile growing wider, realizing she had Rory right where she wanted him. Her smile turned to astonishment as she remembered the taste of him on her lips. She pressed her fingers to her mouth. Would he recall their kiss after his drunkenness wore off? If not, she would be sure to refresh his memory.
~~~~~
RORY ROLLED OVER ON the bed, moaning his discomfort. With his eyes still closed he waved at the annoying disturbance. His forehead felt like tiny hammers were attacking his skull. Rory became wide awake when a hand swatted him upside the head.
“Ouch.”
“Wake up, Rory Beckwith.”
Rory wondered why the hell Sidney was in his private bedchamber. If Wildeburg realized where she stood, he would be a goner. He didn’t want to fight her husband. Especially now with this hangover he suffered from.
“Leave, Sidney,” he muttered.
“Leave? This is my home, Rory, and you are the one who needs to leave.”
“What?” he asked, opening his eyes. He lay on a bed covered in luxury. The hangings on the wall were velvet, and the drapes were made from the finest Japanese silk money could buy. The furnishings were of quality craftsmanship. Not the beaten chest that rested in his bedroom. He moaned, holding his head, the memories of the afternoon spilling forth.
“Are you remembering your foolishness?”
“How bad was it?”
“Real bad.”
“I'm a fool?”
“Yes, you made a fool of yourself, but in the most endearing way.”
“How so?”
“Well, from what Wilde described and Sheffield confirmed, you kissed Lady Dallis in broad daylight on her front stoop.”
He didn’t need Sidney to remind him of that. The memories had flashed to the front of his mind as soon as he awoke. Probably because he dreamed of her. How Dallis’s gentle lips, unsure of how to kiss, pressed to his as he'd coaxed her to follow his lead. Even as drunk as Rory had been, he would never forget their kiss. Not only the kiss, but the sensation of her body crushed to him. Dallis was soft and curvaceous in all the right places. He wondered what hidden delights were under her dress.
“Damn.”
“Watch your language in my home.”
“Sorry, Sid. I tried to stay away.”
When Rory rose to the edge of the bed, Sidney sat next to him.
“Why are you staying away from her? Sophia told me about your feelings for Lady Dallis.”
“Sid, you know how broke I am. I cannot afford a bride for at least a few more years. It would not be fair to ask her to wait, or to wed her and subject Dallis to the poverty Mama and Kathleen have endured since father died.”
“I understand where you think it might matter. However, when you are lucky enough to have found a woman to love you through the good times and bad, you cannot let her escape from your grasp.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Rory, Dallis cares for you.”
“How? We have barely spoken.”
“The same way you care for her. You two share an attraction where no words are needed.”
“It doesn’t matter. Mama is introducing her to Lord Holdenburg this evening.”
Sid whistled. “Then you don’t stand a chance anymore. He is more dangerous than my Wilde.”
Rory nodded.
“Well then, we shall do an experiment to see if Lady Dallis is—”
“No! No research, no experiments, and neither Dallis nor myself will be one of your test subjects. Nothing. Lady Dallis will not be a pawn in your science.”
“Humph.”
“Sidney, I am serious.”
Sidney rose and walked to the door. Rory had offended her by not taking up the offer to help bring him happiness. She thought, Why, just look at how I helped Sophia and Sheffield find love. Sidney knew in her heart she could make Rory and Dallis just as happy.
Well, Rory doesn't have to know about my involvement. Lady Dallis had called on her today asking for advice. Also, Rory’s mama wanted her aid in bringing these two young loves together.
“Very well, Rory. Your mother has sent over a change of clothes for this evening’s ball with a message to attend so that you can escort them home. I sent a reply informing her of your business meeting with Wilde and Sheffield. She understood completely. Sheffield and Sophia have agreed to escort your mother and Kathleen to the ball.”
“Thank you, Sid. Sorry,” he mumbled. Rory was ashamed for speaking to her so harshly when Sidney had covered his misdeed and offered her help.
“We are leaving in half an hour.” Sidney said, closing the door.
Rory sighed and dropped his head into his hands. He’d blown it on so many levels today with all the women in his life. The only one he managed not to offend was his friend, Sophia. The evening was still young though. Rory was sure he would manage it before the night was through. Rory needed to sober up quick before he stepped foot at the Sambourne Ball. By now talk would have spread about his antics this afternoon. The fight was bad enough. The kiss confirmed he must now court Lady Dallis. Or else the only callers she would entertain were gentlemen who would have devious intentions. Not that his actions toward the lady were any more innocent. He knew the plan for this evening was for his mother to introduce Dallis to Lord Holdenburg. Perhaps, if Rory talked Holdenburg into pressing his courtship with Lady Dallis, then Rory could bow out gracefully. Then the ton would realize he'd stepped down in order for Lady Dallis to find happiness with Lord Holdenburg.
As Rory dressed, his thoughts strayed to Dallis. She'd stood with a bewildered look on her face as he pulled her into an embrace, her eyes wide as his mouth invaded hers. Her gentle exploration as his mouth demanded more. Could Rory step back while another man made Dallis his? Could he keep a tight rein on his jealously? Did he even want to try? If this business deal with Sheffield succeeded, then he could offer Dallis the moon and all the stars in the galaxy.
Maybe, tonight, he would request permission for a dance.