Sabrina Jeffries - Dont Bargain with the Devil (The School for Heiresses)

Chapter Eleven

Dear Charlotte,Impenetrable I may be, but surely you know by now that I have only your best interests at heart. Heed my second warning, and keep an eye out for your Master of Mystery. He still has not applied for a license, and his assistant is asking peculiar questions about the school and its staff. Be very careful with him.Your concerned cousin,MichaelE ven before Diegos lips met hers, Lucy had been wavering in her resistance to his temptations. Now she was drowning in them, and she didnt care. She was in his arms again, and he was kissing her with such tenderness it made her heart hurt. How could she not kiss him back?Do you really think a man like that has honorable intentions?Probably not.Hed asked about her parents, and a man of venerable Spanish rank would only ask such questions of a woman he courted. Unlike English gentlemen, he would find her mothers blood an advantage, too. But she wouldnt place her hopes in that; shed made that mistake before. And his emphasis on being a penniless count was probably meant to be a warning that he couldnt afford a wife.Still, he did seem to care for her. Hed fought valiantly for her, had raised money to destroy his own aims, and had given some of his own hard-earned funds to that cause. More important, when hed leaped to her defense, he hadnt blamed her but Peter. And himself. Surely that showed him to be a man of character.She was tired of worrying about it. Shed tried hard to be good. Shed waited patiently for Peter to return from abroad, not even countenancing anyone elses attentions, and for what? For him to admit he loved her, yet it still didnt matter? For him to insult her and try to ruin her?He still might, too. Nothing could stop Peter from telling people about the brawl later and blackening her name, as well as Diegos. People might even believe what Peter saidnot only because he was an earl but also because of Diegos performance. Peter would use that. He clearly wasnt the gentleman shed thought.While Diego was far more of a gentleman than shed thought. Hed been honest about his intentions from the beginning. And if she found her reputation ruined through no fault of her own, shouldnt she have some pleasure out of it? What was the point of being proper if everyone believed the worst about you anyway? Might as well be improper, it seemed to her.As if reading her thoughts, Diego drew back. I do not want you to think I am like Hunforth, willing to take advantage of a woman Id never think that, she whispered, once more reminded that Diego was a good man at heart. This time, she was the one to kiss him.He pulled away abruptly. Careful, cario. He cast her a rueful smile and tapped one end of his lip. Best to stay on this side.Oh, dear, shed forgotten about his injury. Im sorry.I do not mind a little pain for one of your kisses, he said huskily. But if you start the bleeding again, your efforts will have been for naught.She suspected her efforts would be for naught anyway, but she wasnt about to point that out. He would get all noble again and try to protect her. Right now, she didnt want nobility. She wanted him. Then let me kiss it to make it better.He arched an eyebrow. I thought that was only something mothers told their children to take their minds off their troubles.Lets find out, shall we? she teased, stretching up to kiss his split lip. Better?Much. His dark eyes gleamed in the candlelight as he bent to nuzzle her cheek. But now you will have to apply the makeup again.I will. She brushed her lips over his cheek. Once were done waltzing.Is that what you English call this? He clasped her head in his hands for another magical kiss that stole the soul from her body. He dragged his mouth down her chin, then her throat. I like the English version of waltzing.So do I. She clutched at his bare shoulders, then swept along them to memorize every curve and muscle.It was her first time touching a mans naked torso, and she meant to relish it. Her hands fanned down his well-wrought chest, her thumbs exploring his flat nipples.He groaned low in his throat. Mi dulzura, as much as I enjoy thiswe should stop.Why? she whispered. Dont you like my hands on you?Too much, he growled. That is the problem.It doesnt sound like a problem to me, she said with deliberate coyness.Diego searched her face. What are you doing, Lucy?Finding out if you are as amazing a lover as the papers say you are.At the word lover, heat flared in his face. I refuse to ruin you. And I know that is not what you want, either.Perhaps it is. She lifted her chin, trying to look sophisticated and certain of her desires, though his words made her feel unsophisticated and uncertain. Perhaps Peter is right, and I really am a hoyden.He cupped her chin tenderly. What you are is curious. And passionate. No matter what English propriety says, that is perfectly natural in a young woman. Why do you think we Spanish have such stern dueas? Because we do not trust the young gentlemen or the young ladies when the heat has got hold of them.Mrs. Harris is my chaperone, she said defensively.And yet you are here alone with me.For all the good it does me. She pulled free of his arms, hurt by his clear rejection. Peter wanted her only for her body, and Diego didnt even want her for that. Not only am I a reckless hoyden whom no honorable man would wish to marry, but Im not even desirable enough to attract a man known for his dalliances. Por Dios, mi dulzura, he said, catching her from behind to pull her against his chest. You know I find you desirable.Do I? Tears clogged her throat. Peter would already have tried toto touch me. But youyou probably think I am just a silly English fool. Compared to youryour Russian princesses ando-opera singers, I am justSh, sh, cario, he murmured against her ear, his hands roaming up and down her waist. You are twice the woman of any of them.But not enough to t-tempt you.Turning her in his arms, he pressed her hand to his chest. Can you not feel that? My heart pounds like thunder. I could not desire you any more than I do at this moment.Then show me, she said softly. Show me how you feel. I want to know what Ive been avoiding all this time.His face darkened, and he muttered a curse under his breath. Very well. I will do as you wish. But I will not ruin you. Understand?Not really.He led her to the settee, sat down upon it, then pulled her onto his lap. I am going to give you pleasure, querida. When I am done, you will still be an innocent. He flashed her a wry smile. Or rather, you will still be chaste.That relieved her, then intrigued her. A little thrill of excitement coursed along her spine. But what about you?Me? he choked out. I will be in hell. But it is a hell I can stomach. Ruining you is a hell I cannot.Clearly, marrying her was also a hell he could not. She pushed down her hurt. Hed always told her what to expect from him. At least shed have something to remember after he was gone.His hand started raising her skirts.D-Diego? What are you doing? She was not so innocent that she didnt know ruination began with a man lifting a womans skirts.Dallying with you. He bent her back over his arm, then began to kiss his way to her breasts. Drinking my fill. Or as much of it as I dare.His hand left her skirts just long enough to drag her bodice and corset down so he could plunder her bare breast with his mouth. She arched up as an exquisite sensation shot through her, making her clutch at his head to hold him fast.Meanwhile, his hand returned to her skirts, tugging and pulling until they were up around her thighs, exposing her drawers. With the deftness of long experience, he found the slit and slid his fingers inside to touch the part of her only she had dared to touch, the part that grew damp at night when she dreamed of him.Having him touch her