Invitation by Burke, Darcy (book club reads txt) 📗

possible, both to avoid running into his father and to keep from sparking interest in his presence. The ton was still abuzz with his loss and, perhaps more accurately, fixated on Bentley’s victory.

Tobias had seen him shortly after he’d arrived, preening in the center of a group of ardent admirers, both male and female. The heir to a dukedom was always seen as a good ally, even when they were self-important dullards.

Not long after that, Tobias had finally caught sight of Lady Priscilla. Her light brown hair was piled atop her head in curls woven through with a silver ribbon and jewels. She wore a pale blue gown that elegantly draped her petite form. A pang of longing had shot through him, and he hoped his plan wouldn’t be for naught.

He watched while she sipped ratafia with other ladies. After some time, she departed the ballroom in the company of her mother.

This was the moment he’d been planning for. Hopefully, they were on their way to the retiring room, because the scheme he’d engineered depended on it. Seeing that was, in fact, their destination, Tobias exhaled with relief. He lingered nearby, his body thrumming with nervous energy as he waited to see if his plan would work.

A few moments later, Lady Priscilla came back out just as he’d hoped she would. Tobias strode quickly to her and gently touched her back. “Lady Priscilla, might I have a word?”

“Lord Deane?” Her eyes lit with surprise and something else. Pleasure, perhaps. There was also a shadow of confusion. “The maid said Bentley needed to speak with me.”

“That’s what I paid her to say, yes.” Tobias tried not to sound impatient, but if someone happened upon them, the entire scheme would be finished before it even began. “Will you come with me?”

She nodded. “I’m quite pleased to see you, actually. I was afraid you’d be angry.” She looked up at him tentatively as he guided her to the sitting room several paces away. “Are you?”

“No, of course not. Well, not anymore.” After ushering her into the sitting room, he closed the door firmly. It was too bad there wasn’t a lock. Due to the threat of discovery, he took just two steps into the room so he would be able to hear if anyone approached. “I was shocked to learn you’d become betrothed to Bentley. I thought we suited quite well.”

She turned to face him, her pale brows knitted. “I’m so sorry. You must understand that my parents preferred Bentley’s suit.”

Exactly as he’d suspected. “I did wonder what happened. I’d planned to propose to you yesterday afternoon, then to speak with your father this morning. I suppose it’s my bad luck that Bentley got to you both first.”

She stepped closer to him. “I’m not sure it would have mattered. My father was quite set on Bentley.”

Tobias edged toward her so that they nearly touched. “And were you set on someone? In particular?”

Pink swathed her cheeks, and her lashes fluttered as she glanced away. “I tried not to be, but I admit I preferred you to Bentley.” She returned her gaze to his, an expectant smile lifting her mouth.

Happiness swelled in Tobias’s chest. “I’d thought so.” He clasped her fingers and pressed his lips to her knuckles. Clutching her hand to his chest, he stared into her eyes. “It’s not too late for us to be together. We can leave for Gretna Green right now.”

Her jaw dropped, but she clutched his fingers. “That would be madness!” She sounded breathless, and her blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

He took her reaction to mean she wasn’t opposed to the idea, but that it was risky. “It’s the only solution left to us, unless you think your father can be persuaded to allow you to refuse Bentley.”

Her forehead creased with concern. “My father did not ask whom I preferred to marry. I don’t think he can be deterred from Bentley. In any case, that would be a scandal at this point. Our betrothal is public knowledge.”

“Dashing off to Gretna Green will also be a scandal.” Tobias stroked his thumb along the side of her hand. “I await your direction, my lady.”

She turned her head, her brow puckering and her lips pursing. “I am so confused. I do like you more than Bentley. And this is such a grand, romantic gesture.” Her expression brightened, and she brought her other hand up to clasp his between hers. “How can I refuse you?”

She liked him? A chill raced through Tobias. Like was not love.

The sound of voices outside the door jolted Tobias into action. He looked wildly about the room for a place to hide. Holding her hand tightly, he pulled her behind the heavy draperies at the window, grateful they were both voluminous and thick.

“What are you—”

Tobias clapped his hand over her mouth. “Shhh. Someone is coming,” he whispered urgently.

The click of the door opening followed by the snick of it closing made Tobias hold his breath. The voices started again, and he strained to listen.

“This is cozy,” said a woman, her voice low and provocative. Oh God, were he and Lady Priscilla about to overhear an assignation?

“Indeed,” the man purred.

There was no mistaking the sounds of kissing, at least not for Tobias. And here he was, squeezed into a small, dark place with the woman he loved pressed against his chest. Her floral scent suddenly assaulted him, stirring a thoroughly inconvenient desire.

Lady Priscilla flattened her palms against his chest. “It sounds like they’re kissing,” she whispered.

He put his hands on her waist and tried to keep from pulling her hips to his. “Don’t talk.”

“All right.” Then her lips were on his, and the longing inside him unfurled into a fiery lust. He splayed his palms over her lower back and brought her flush against his erection. They’d kissed before, but not with this sense of desperation, of utter need. Perhaps that was because he thought he’d lost her.

Her tongue licked along his lips before slipping into his mouth. Holy