Page 11 of An Impulsive Kiss (Captivating Kisses #2)

J udson moved about the townhouse, growing frustrated when he could not locate Lady Harriet’s father. He decided the best plan was to return to the ballroom and sit with her again. When the concert ended, he could return her to both her parents and then ask to speak to her father sometime tomorrow.

As he turned a corner, he saw Humley leaning against a door, one ankle over the other, his arms crossed. His gut tightened at seeing the pose. Many a time, a boy had stood in that exact manner, guarding a door as Judson had been carted away by bullies, tormented for hours.

Striding toward one of his former haters, he saw the moment when Humley spotted him. Immediately, the man stood tall, defiance in his eyes.

“What do you want, Huntsberry?”

“I want to see what is behind that door,” he stated, knowing he looked intimidating with his size and scowl.

Humley’s eyes darted about, as if he looked for help. “There is nothing to see, my lord,” he said.

“Then you won’t mind if I take a look myself.”

“No!”

In a flash, he knew no good occurred behind this closed door. And considering Humley was usually seen in Eaton’s company, Judson surmised his old enemy was on the other side, up to no good.

He roughly pushed Humley aside, knocking him off-balance, and opened the door. To his horror, he saw Eaton strike Lady Lucy. Rage filled him, and Judson rushed the short distance, ripping away Eaton’s hold on her. Years of honing his boxing skills came into play as Judson threw the hardest punch of his life, knocking Eaton to the ground. Blood spurted from the rakehell’s nose, and from how crooked it sat, Judson knew it was broken.

He leaned down—and saw fear in Eaton’s eyes.

“Leave town. Now. Take Humley with you. I do not wish to see either of you for a good year. Perhaps even more.” Fisting his hands, he held them up. “You know the power of these fists, Eaton. You have suffered from them before. I advise you keep silent and never speak of this night to anyone. Nod if you understand.”

Eaton did so, a mixture of fear and anger in his eyes. At some point, Judson supposed Eaton would try to punish him, but he would be ready. He was always ready.

He took a step back as Humley hurried to his friend’s side, helping him to stand.

“Get out. Be gone,” he told Humley. “Or you will suffer my wrath as never before.”

Humley helped Eaton to his feet, but Eaton shrugged off any help. He never looked at Judson as he left the library, Humley trailing after him.

Quickly, he turned, seeing Lady Lucy looked a mess. The mark of Eaton’s hand still showed on her face. The slap had caused a few pins to come loose, and part of her hair tumbled down her back. She quivered all over.

Judson moved toward her, wrapping her in his arms. “There, there. Hush, now. You are safe.”

She had started to sob quietly and now buried her face against his chest. Her fingers clutched at his coat, tightening and loosening, almost as if she were a kitten kneading her paws. He wouldn’t chastise her. Obviously, she had gone through a traumatic experience. It hurt him, though, that she was hurting now, and he had no way to fix things for her.

“Did he force himself on you?” he asked gently, smoothing her hair.

She raised a tear-stained face, their gazes meeting. “They tricked me. Lord Humley said Mama had taken ill. I was coming from the retiring room. He led me here.” She swallowed. “But no one was here. Or so I thought.”

A fat tear rolled down her cheek, and Judson wiped it away with the pad of his thumb.

“I thought Mama had been moved, but when I turned around, he... he... was there. Eaton. He would not let me pass.” She hiccoughed. “I realized then they had laid a trap for me. He wanted to compromise me.” She paused, frowning, gazing up at him. “Because of you.”

She began crying softly again, and he brought her head back to his chest. Anger boiled through him. Judson knew Eaton never would have wed Lady Lucy. He deliberately had set out to ruin her. The cad must have caught Judson watching her and surmised he had feelings for her.

Hurt Lady Lucy. Hurt him.

“I will kill Eaton. Humley, too,” he said, causing her to jump.

“No.” Her gaze met and held his. “You will do no such thing, my lord. You have already ordered them gone from town. I cannot have you committing murder over something so... so...”

“Eaton nearly ruined you, Lucy,” he told her. “And rakehell that he is, he never would have wed you. By God, I would have not allowed you to wed such a despicable, immoral toad.”

“But you interrupted him,” she said. “You saved me, Huntsberry.”

Her eyes swam with tears and her lips still trembled, but she was the loveliest creature he had ever seen.

“Did he hurt you?” he asked, afraid to hear her response.

“I am certain to have bruises where his fingers dug into me, keeping me from fleeing. And he forced a kiss upon me.” Disgust showed in her face. “His tongue... oh, it was so awful.” She shuddered.

Judson did not want her afraid of men. Or of kissing.

“I am sorry he abused you so, Lucy. Not all men are like Eaton and Humley. And kissing with tongues can be quite pleasant.”

She frowned up at him. “What? You actually do use your tongue to kiss? But... you did not do so with me. Your kiss was gentle. Sweet.”

“There are many kinds of kisses. They can bring about a plethora of emotions and physical desires.”

She trembled in his arms. “I will never allow a man to kiss me that way. Never!”

“But you should,” he said softly. “If it is not forced, it can be most delightful.”

Doubt filled those enchanting, amethyst eyes.

“Do not be afraid of kissing. It is a way a man brings pleasure to a woman.”

She shook her head. “No. I am not sure if I will ever want to kiss a man again.”

That was when Judson knew he had to act. To show her not to be afraid.

His mouth moved to hers, slowly kissing her as he had before. She stiffened at his touch, but gradually, she relaxed. He increased the pressure of the kiss, his hand going to her nape, anchoring her. Breaking it, he slowly used the tip of his tongue to sweep back and forth across her full, lower lip. She whimpered, clutching him more tightly.

Judson outlined her entire mouth with his tongue, his touch light as he glided along. Then he swept it along the seam of her mouth, urging her to open to him. She did, without protest, and he knew he had cleared a hurdle with her. He slipped his tongue inside her mouth, beginning a leisurely exploration that caused his own pulse to jump and her breath to hitch. He took his time, not wanting to rush her, needing her to feel comfortable with what he did.

Then he allowed his tongue to glide against hers, causing another whimper. He pinned her tongue lightly with his teeth and then sucked on it, bringing a rush of emotion through him. Desire for her filled him, and Judson knew he needed to back away now. She had been exposed to a different kind of kissing. Playfully, she now answered his kiss, kissing him back. She might have been hurt, but she was far from broken. His job here was done.

Easing from her, he said, “See?”

“That was nothing like Lord Eaton’s kiss,” she marveled. Then she said the words which undid him. “I want more, Huntsberry. More of it. More of you .”

Her hands moved up his chest, her fingers plunging into his hair. She grabbed onto it, forcing his mouth to return to hers. They kissed a long moment, Lucy taking the lead. Judson tried to hold back.

And finally gave in.

He deepened the kiss, wanting the taste of her, enjoying the feel of her warm body pressed against his, her lavender scent filling his nostrils. If he died right now, it would be a happy death, for kissing Lucy was the highlight of his life.

“My, my,” a voice said. “How interesting.”

They sprang apart, dread already filling him, because he recognized who had spoken.

Lady Billingsley stood in the open doorway, a few feet from them. Two years ago, she had wed an earl old enough to be her grandfather. Rumor had it that she had forced the man to her bed for hours each night, wearing him down and finally killing him with her physical demands. Less than a month after they wed, the bride became a widow. She had spent her year in mourning, returning to Polite Society with vast wealth, eager to work her way through the men of the ton .

When she had approached Judson, he had brushed her off. Lady Billingsley had demanded to know why he refused to make love to her, saying she was beautiful and available, two things which should appeal to him. He had insulted her, calling her a lightskirt and said he had no interest in coupling with a woman who had bedded half of the men in the ballroom where they stood.

Lady Billingsley had eyed him for a long moment and then told him he would rue the day that he had ever spoken to her in such an ungentlemanly manner. Then she had left and was soon dancing with a slew of other men.

Judson had forgotten the incident, but the memory of their conversation came crashing back to him now. She was going to make him pay.

And Lucy Alington would be the one who suffered the most.

“I see Lord Huntsberry is human, after all,” the countess said. “Others have accused you of having no heart.” She laughed cruelly. “And I was one of them. But it seems you have quite the tendre for Lady Lucy, doesn’t it?”

“You misunderstood what you saw, my lady,” Lucy said. “I was very upset about something which had just occurred. Lord Huntsberry, who is a friend of my brother, Lord Dyer, heard me crying. He only wished to comfort me.”

Lady Billingsley’s brows shot up in disbelief. “With his tongue rammed down your throat, my lady? Or was that your tongue down his?” she mused.

Hating to leave Lucy’s side, he moved toward the countess. “I beg you, my lady. Please, keep what you have seen to yourself. Lady Lucy is making her come-out this Season. She has many suitors and a bright future ahead. Do not ruin her.”

The woman’s eyes flicked to Lucy and back to him. “I do believe you were the one doing the ruining, my lord.” Her eyes gleamed at him with a viciousness that stole his breath. “I will merely let others know what I stumbled upon. It is up to you whether or not this, what would you call her? Lightskirt, perhaps? Whether she is totally compromised or not.”

She threw his own word back at him, and Judson knew the die was cast.

“Lady Lucy is pure,” he insisted. “She has done no harm to you, my lady. Punish me. Not her. I will do whatever you ask.”

“Will you?” Lady Billingsley challenged. “Somehow, I think not. I cannot envision you kissing me the way you did her. No innocent kisses like that,” she said dismissively. “I am off to share what I have witnessed.”

Then she was gone.

Turning to Lucy, Judson said, “She is the worst of those who gossip in the ton .” He paused. “I am sorry. We must announce our betrothal at once, else your reputation will be in tatters by the end of the evening.”

“No,” she said quietly. “I cannot do that to you, my lord. You made it perfectly clear to me that you had no interest in wedding me. I have seen you with Lady Harriet and assumed you would be offering for her.”

He had totally forgotten about his mission to find Lady Harriet’s father.

“No,” he said firmly, taking her elbow and guiding her from the library. “We are going to wed. It is the only way. I will not allow any argument regarding this.”

She halted in the tracks. “So, I have no say in the matter?” she asked angrily.

Knowing he would hurt her pride, he said, “I am afraid not. Come quickly.”

“Wait,” she begged. “I must return to the library.”

Breaking away from him, she entered the room again and fell to her knees. She began picking up hairpins, and he realized they could not appear in front of others with her hair half up and half down, or a scandal even larger than the one Lady Billingsley stirred would occur.

She huffed a moment in frustration and then began removing all her pins. Judson didn’t stop her, trusting that she knew what she was doing. With quick efficiency, she twisted her hair several times and began pinning it into a simple style.

Looking up at him, she asked, “Am I presentable?”

He offered his hand, helping her stand. “You are breathtakingly lovely, my lady.”

“Then let us go and see my parents.”

He tucked her hand close to him, and they moved along the corridor, returning to the ballroom. Guests were taking their seats, and he supposed the diva was about to begin the second half of her performance.

Spying Dyer, he guided Lucy to her brother.

“No time for questions,” he said brusquely. “Your sister and I will be wedding by special license as soon as possible.”

The viscount looked at him in disbelief. Then anger filled his eyes. “You bastard,” he said, his voice low and deadly.

“It is not his fault, Con,” Lucy said quickly. “Lord Huntsberry saved me from a dreadful situation. If he had not, the gossips would be talking about Lord Eaton compromising me.”

“Eaton?” Dyer hissed.

“Where are your parents?” Judson asked. “Wait. I see them. Come along.”

He took Lucy with him, her brother dogging Judson’s heels.

“Lord and Lady Marley, we have good news to share with you,” he said, giving the countess his most charming smile. “Lady Lucy has agreed to wed me. That is, with your approval, of course.”

Lord Marley looked surprised, while his wife looked joyful. “Oh, Huntsberry, you devil,” the countess said. “And here I thought you had lost interest in our daughter.”

“We are most eager to wed, my lady,” Judson continued. “In fact, I will purchase a special license tomorrow morning in Doctors’ Commons. Might we hold the ceremony the day after tomorrow? Perhaps at Lord and Lady Aldridge’s residence. I believe Lady Aldridge would be happy to host our wedding breakfast.”

Lady Marley appeared surprised but said, “Your marquess is certainly a determined man, Lucilla. We do not want to disappoint him, now, do we? Yes, I will speak with Ariadne.”

“We thought we could do so ourselves, Mama,” Lucy said. “Papa, why don’t you ask our host if you might announce our betrothal? Then we will slip out—Con can come with us to chaperone—and we will go to Ariadne and Julian’s.”

“Splendid idea,” the earl said, offering Judson his hand. “You have chosen wisely, Lord Huntsberry. Welcome to the family.”

The next few minutes passed in a blur. Lord Marley made the betrothal announcement. Guests surrounded them, offering good wishes. He saw Lady Billingsley standing to the side, looking on in amusement. Something told Judson he had not seen the last of her and her venomous ways.

They went to his carriage, and he told his coachman to take them to Lord Aldridge’s townhouse. His future brother-in-law sat opposite Judson, his arm about his sister.

“I want to hear it all,” Dyer said. “You may keep the full story from Mama and Papa, but I want to know. Now.”

“Could we wait until we reach Ariadne’s?” Lucy asked her brother. “We will share it with all of you then.”

They arrived and were taken to the drawing room. After several minutes, the Aldridges appeared, the marquess holding Penelope.

“What the devil are you doing here?” Aldridge asked. “We actually had to dress simply to see you. And Penelope is fussy tonight.” He rubbed the babe’s back, her head on his shoulder.

“We have come to ask if you would host our wedding breakfast,” Judson began. “The day after tomorrow. If that is convenient with you.”

Lady Aldridge gave a pitying smile to her cousin. “You were caught kissing Lord Huntsberry?”

“It is more complicated than that,” Lucy said.

Between the two of them, they explained the situation, taking turns. They left out the part where they were kissing passionately, however. Judson merely said he was comforting Lady Lucy because she was so shaken, and Lady Billingsley had stumbled across them as they embraced.

“Oh, my goodness,” the marchioness said. “Lady Billingsley is a horrible woman. One of the worst gossips in Polite Society. She will likely embellish the story and say Lord Huntsberry was ravishing you or some other such nonsense.” Sympathy filled her eyes. “I am sorry you are being forced to wed, but it can be a good thing. You already know one another. Have a friendship between you. It will make for a good foundation for your marriage,” she assured them.

Judson wondered if Lucy might ever tell the entire truth to her cousin or Lord Aldridge. He knew beyond a doubt she would never speak of what had occurred between them with her parents.

“We are ready to make the best of things,” he said lightly.

“We would be happy to host your wedding and the breakfast,” Aldridge said. “If you would like, I can accompany you to Doctors’ Commons tomorrow to arrange for your special license.”

“Thank you, my lord. I would be grateful for your guidance through the process.”

“Enough of formality,” Lady Aldridge declared. “You are going to be family. We are Ariadne and Julian to you now.”

He glanced to Lord Dyer, who still harbored doubt in his eyes. “I am Con,” he said sternly.

“And I am Judson,” he told them. He slipped his hand around Lucy’s, finding it cold. “We should probably get you home. Your mama will most likely keep you busy the entire day tomorrow, preparing for the wedding.”

“I suppose she will,” his betrothed said quietly.

They went out to his carriage. He handed up Lucy. Her brother glared at him.

“I believe parts of your story—but not all of it. I am angry that my sister’s choice was taken from her hands.”

With honesty, Judson said, “I will be the best husband I can be to her. That is my promise.”

But as his carriage left the square, he wondered just what he had gotten the two of them into.