“Yes.”
That one word crushed her, not that she’d expected him to say anything different. She took a deep breath. “Then I guess we should leave.” She turned and picked up her shawl and reticule, blinking furiously at her stupidity.
“Lydia.”
“What.” She didn’t turn around. She couldn’t let him see her heart was breaking.
“Look at me.” His voice was low and very, very close. She could feel his warm breath, smell his intoxicating scent.
She shook her head, unable to say a word without her voice giving away her distress.
“Please.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her. She stared at his chest before he used his finger to lift her chin. “Do you want it to be over?”
She looked up at him and licked her dry lips. “The assignment?”
Slowly he shook his head, then pulled her toward him, his strong arms wrapped around her waist. “What do you think I mean?”
Was she going to have to be the first one to state feelings? So unfair. He’d tossed off enough women to fill a ballroom. Thinking he wouldn’t do the same thing to her had been the most ludicrous thought she’d ever had.
“I don’t know what to say.” She truly didn’t. Should she tell him how crushing the idea of not seeing him again was? Perhaps she should be the strong, independent woman she’d thought herself to be before encountering Dante and shrug and say, Yes, it is over. Let’s shake hands and depart. I have a life to live and so do you.
He slid his palms from her waist up her back, moving her so she leaned against him. “Maybe instead of talking, we should be doing this.” He lowered his head and took her mouth in a searing kiss. His warm hand cupped her face and held it gently, moving her head back and forth, taking the kiss deeper.
She succumbed to the forceful domination of his lips, his hands, his caresses. Yes. This was what she wanted. And, no she did not want it to end. But, alas, she was not alone in the decision.
Her thoughts spun as he continued his assault, withdrawing from her mouth and kissing her eyes, nose, chin, then his mouth moved to the sensitive skin under her ear. “I want you, Lydia. I’ve wanted you for weeks.”
His words barely penetrated the fog he’d caused. Yes, she knew he desired her as she desired him. That had been apparent for a while, but what next? An affair? As much as it would devastate her to walk away, she could not commit to a liaison. The only thing that would lead to was true heartbreak when he decided he’d had enough of her and moved on to another woman.
‘Twas better to get the heartbreak over now before things went too far. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “What do you want from me, Dante?”
He opened his mouth to speak just as the curtain behind them parted and three women appeared.
“Ambassador, I just heard the most ridiculous thing...” Lady Barlow stared at them wide-eyed. “Well, I never. What is going on in here? Where is the Ambassador, and what are you two doing in here, alone, in that disgraceful embrace?”
Shocked gasps from Mrs. Winters and Lady Bolling followed Lady Barlow’s words. Three of the ton’s most vicious and gleeful gossips.
Lydia leaned her forehead on Dante’s chest and groaned.
Dante closed his eyes and he cursed. Bloody, bloody hell.
As most young men of the Upper Crust, he’d avoided being caught with an innocent woman all his life. True, he didn’t spend much time with those kinds of women, anyway, so the chance of him getting ‘caught’ in the parson’s noose had been slight.
Only now he realized the lights had come up in the theater. It was time for intermission and based on the ladies’ visit, he guessed word had somehow spread about the Ambassador.
He turned and faced the execution squad, keeping a shivering Lydia tucked into his side. “Can I help you ladies?”
Lady Barlow raised herself up and sniffed. “You certainly can, young man. We came here to speak with the Ambassador since we heard certain untruths about him. But, instead, we find you and Miss Sanford together, alone, in a dark theater box. Kissing!”
“Yes, my lady. You certainly did. However, you must allow us a bit of celebration since Miss Sanford has just done me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage.”
He squeezed Lydia when she opened her mouth to speak. “Quiet, my dear,” he murmured.
“Indeed?” She looked back at the other two ladies, who smirked. “I am not sure about that, Mr. Rose, but aside from your disgraceful behavior, which I am sure will reach your brother, the Earl of Huntington’s ears—”
“—I am sure.”
“—we are here to see the Ambassador.”