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Neither Gareth nor Hyacinth said a word

“I’ to the door with suspiciously less agility than she’d displayed when she’d crossed the room to retrieve the cane justin the doorway, “that I’ her cane in the air toward Gareth, “and if you think I trust you with her virtue…”

“I’randson”

“Doesn’t make you a saint,” she announced, then slipped out of the roo the door behind her

Gareth regarded this with a quizzical air “I rather think she wants me to compromise you,” he murmured “She’d never have closed it all the way, otherwise”

“Don’t be silly,” Hyacinth said, trying for a touch of bravado under her blush, which she could feel spreading across her cheeks

“No, I think she does,” he said, taking both her hands in his and raising thehter, probably randson, and she’s just underhanded enough to facilitate your ruin to ensure the outcome”

“I wouldn’t back out,” Hyacinth ave you my word”

He took one of her fingers and placed the tip between his lips “You did, didn’t you?” he murmured

She nodded, transfixed by the sight of her finger against his mouth “You didn’t answer my question,” she whispered

His tongue found the delicate crease beneath her fingertip and flicked back and forth “Did you ask me one?”

She nodded It was hard to think while he was seducing her, and a to think that he could reduce her to such a breathless state with just one finger to his lips

Heher hand “So lovely,” he murmured “And soon to be mine” He took her hand and turned it over, so that her pal her, watched him as he leaned over her and touched his lips to the inside of her wrist Her breath seemed over-loud in the silent room, and she wondered what it was that was htened state: the feel of hisher with only a kiss

“I like your ar one as if it were a precious treasure, in need of exa “The skin first, I think,” he continued, letting his fingers slide lightly along the sensitive skin above her wrist It had been a warm day, and she’d worn a summer frock under her pelisse The sleeves were mere caps, and—she sucked in her breath—if he continued his exploration all the way up to her shoulder, she thought she ht there on the sofa

“But I like the shape of the down at it as if it were an object of wonder “Slith” He looked up, lazy humor in his eyes “You’re a bit of a sportswoman, aren’t you?”