Page 37 of The Rake’s Convenient Bride

“Both,” he answered before bowing to her as she curtseyed.

He could not help but notice the brilliance of her cheeks as he offered her his arm to escort her back to Lady Jillian.

“Thank you,” she said in a quiet tone. “That was…most edifying.”

“I hope I did not scandalize you too terribly.” It was another lie. He genuinely hoped he had scandalized her terribly. That his words would hum around in her mind and follow her into sleep, the way she had done to him for so long.

She shook her head, mute as he departed.

The look on her face indeed did not reflect one of shock. Rather her soft expression and the darkness in her clear blue eyes was unmistakably one of interest.

10

Elizabeth knew Jasper underestimated her imagination. Especially the innocence of her thoughts.

For she could very much picture where he would touch. In fact, that very place between her legs presently echoed her heartbeat, a low thrum of undeniable desire. One she might graze with her own fingertips that night in the privacy of her room, under the cover of night, when her thoughts always wandered toward Jasper.

“Dare I ask what your dear Earl of Darington whispered in your ear while you danced?” Jillian asked as Elizabeth joined her.

Elizabeth blinked at her friend, startled from the wickedness of her thoughts.

Jillian quirked a brow. “With that look on your face, I’m even more curious.”

Heat stole over Elizabeth’s cheeks. “A lady never shares what is said during a waltz.”

Jillian grinned. “All I know is that every woman here practically broke their necks watching you dance, wishing he would look at them the way he looks at you. And there were more than a few men admiring you as well, especially with the flush on your cheeks after the waltz.”

“It was an exerting dance,” Elizabeth said innocently. “And come now…” She shook her head at her friend and lowered her voice, her gaze darting about. “You know it’s all an act.”

Jillian settled one hand on her hip. “Do I?”

“Indeed, you do,” Elizabeth gasped, feigning affront at the mere suggestion.

“You ought to be an actress with those blushes then.” Jillian winked. “He’s coming this way now. I must check on my darling Papa to see which man he intends to throw me in front of next.”

Before Elizabeth could protest, Jillian was gone and Jasper approached with a cup of lemonade in his hand.

“Sadly, it is without brandy.” He tucked his mouth down, chagrined. “But you know how the patronesses are.”

Everyone knew how the patronesses of Almack’s were. Securing a voucher for the elite dance hall was already difficult enough without being caught adding liquor to their bland lemonade. And once one was evicted from Almack’s, there was no hope of gaining entry again.

“I scarcely need brandy,” Elizabeth countered. “And I told you that time, the brandy was Lucy’s.”

“So you’ve said.” He handed her the cup, and she drank, slaking a thirst she hadn’t realized she had.

A smile played on his lips as he watched her, and she understood then what Jillian had referred to. That adoration Elizabeth noticed so often now filled his gaze, as if merely observing her amused him in the most endearing manner.

She felt her own lips lift in response.

He was faking, she knew, but a warmth blossomed in her regardless, one she could not control, and she found herself leaning closer toward him, eager to be near.

She caught that familiar spice she had smelled when he’d given her his jacket.

“I like when you look at me like that,” he said in a low murmur that made her skin prickle with pleasure.

“Do you?” Heavens, was she flirting?

It felt silly.