Her confession seemed to bolster her confidence, and she replied without pause, as though stating the obvious. “You’re a notorious rake. I have heard the gossip.”
“Oh? What gossip?”
Heat flooded Callie’s cheeks.
He pressed on, “Lady Calpurnia. To which gossip do you refer?”
She cleared her throat. “I—may have heard—that you left a certain viscountess half-naked in her husband’s conservatory as you climbed out the window to escape his wrath.”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“They say you left your shirt. And he burned it in effigy.”
“A gross exaggeration.”
She met his eyes. “What about the vicar’s daughter who followed you across Devonshire in the hopes of ruining herself?”
“Where did you hear that?”
“It is amazing what one hears on the edges of ballrooms, my lord. Is it true?”
“Let’s just say that I am quite lucky that she did not catch up to me. However, I hear she is happily married in Budleigh Salterton these days.” She chuckled at his words, the laugh catching in her throat when he added, “Well, considering the gossip, who is to say I would stop at kissing you?”
“No one. But you would stop.”
“How do you know?”
“I know.”
He recognized the self-deprecation in her tone, but ignored it. “Why now? Why not wait for a man to come along and…sweep you off your feet?”
She gave a short laugh. “If the man you speak of had ever planned on coming, my lord, I’m afraid he has obviously lost his way. And, at twenty-eight, I find I have grown tired of waiting.”
“Perhaps you should exhibit some of the character you are showing this evening in a more public forum,” he said. “I’ll admit you seem far more intriguing than I have ever given you credit for, my lady, and intrigue is the spark of desire.”
His words hit their mark, and she flushed again. Ralston was unable to deny the enjoyment he felt at this unexpected turn of events. Indeed, this was just the diversion he needed in the face of Juliana’s introduction into society.
Quickly on the heels of that thought came another.
Lady Calpurnia Hartwell was the answer to his problems. And she had been delivered to his doorstep—well…rather farther than his doorstep—on the same day as his long-lost sister. He felt a wave of satisfaction.
He would kiss her. For a price.
“I wonder if you would be willing to consider a trade?”
Callie turned skeptical. “A trade?” She stepped backward, putting more distance between them. “What kind of trade?”
“Nothing so awful as what you are clearly thinking. You see, it appears I have a sister.”
Her eyes widened. “A sister, my lord?”
“Yes, I was rather surprised by the fact myself.” He gave her a brief description of the day’s events—Juliana’s arrival, his decision to claim her as a sibling instead of a distant relative, his commitment to finding her a proper sponsor with an impeccable reputation to ease her entry into society.
“So, as you can see, it’s rather lucky that you are here tonight. You are the perfect solution. Assuming, that is, that you do not make it a habit to visit unmarried gentlemen in the dead of night.”
She gave a slight, self-conscious laugh. “No, my lord. You are the first.”
He’d known that was the case and made a mental note to discover at a later date what exactly had prompted her nocturnal visit. “And the last, I would hope, at least until Juliana is successfully introduced.”
“I haven’t agreed to your request, yet.”
“But you will.” His tone was arrogant. “And, as payment, you’ll get your kiss.”
“Forgive me,” she said with humor in her voice, “but you must place a rather high value on your kisses.”
He tipped his head, conceding the point. “Very well. Name your price.”
Callie looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully before replying. “The kiss will do for now, but I reserve the right to a favor in the future.”
“I’m to be indebted to you, then?”
She smiled. “Think of it as a business transaction.”
An eyebrow rose. “A business transaction that begins with a kiss.”
“A unique business transaction.” She blushed again.
“You seem shocked by your boldness,” he said.
She nodded. “I’m not quite sure what has come over me.”
Once more, her honesty surprised him. “Very well, my lady, you are a formidable negotiator. I accept your terms.” He approached her, his voice taking on a seductive tenor. “Shall we seal it with a kiss, then?”
Callie caught her breath and stiffened at the question. Ralston smiled at her obvious nerves. He ran a finger along the edge of her hairline, tucking a rogue lock of hair behind her ear gently. She looked up at him with her wide brown eyes, and he felt a burst of tenderness in his chest. He leaned close, moving slowly, as though she might scare at any moment, and his firm mouth brushed across hers, settling briefly, barely touching before she jumped back, one hand flying to her lips.
He leveled her with a frank gaze and waited for her to speak. When she didn’t, he asked, “Is there a problem?”
“N—No!” she said, a touch too loudly. “Not at all, my lord. That is—Thank you.”
His breath exhaled on a half laugh. “I’m afraid that you have mistaken the experience.” He paused, watching the confusion cross her face. “You see, when I agree to something, I do it wholeheartedly. That was not the kiss for which you came, little mouse.”
Callie wrinkled her nose at his words, and at the nickname he had used for her. “It wasn’t?”
“No.”
Her nervousness flared, and she resumed toying with her cloak tassel. “Oh, well. It was quite nice. I find I am quite satisfied that you have held up your end of our bargain.”
“Quite nice isn’t what you should be aiming for,” he said, taking her restless hands into his own and allowing his voice to deepen. “Neither should the kiss leave you satisfied.”
She tugged briefly, giving up when he would not free her and instead pulled her closer, setting her hands upon his shoulders. He trailed his fingers down her neck, leaving her breathless, her voice a mere squeak when she replied, “How should it leave me?”
He kissed her then. Really kissed her.
He pulled her against him and pressed his mouth to hers, possessing, owning in a way she could never have imagined. His lips, firm and warm, played across her own, tempting her until she was gasping for breath. He captured the sound in his mouth, taking advantage of her open lips to run his tongue along them, tasting her lightly until she couldn’t bear the teasing. He seemed to read her thoughts, and just when she couldn’t stand another moment, he gathered her closer and deepened the kiss, changing the pressure. He delved deeper, stroked more firmly.
And she was lost.
Callie was consumed, finding herself desperate to match his movements. Her hands seemed to move of their own volition, running along his broad shoulders and wrapping around his neck. Tentatively, she met Ralston’s tongue with her own and was rewarded with a satisfied sound from deep in his throat as he tightened his grip, sending another wave of heat through her. He retreated, and she followed, matching his movements until his lips closed scandalously around her tongue and he sucked gently—the sensation rocked her to her core. All at once she was aflame.