Page 10 of Miss Kimble Bites Back (Revenge of the Wallflowers #28)

CHAPTER TEN

Shall we find out. Sebastian bent his head and delivered a soft kiss upon her lips, one he hoped earned her trust. With that one kiss he knew why he was drawn to her.

He loved her.

This was no woman he could walk away from. There was no turning back. He d known it deep in his soul the moment they d met where he longed to be. By her side, forever. Watching over her as she found her feet in society.

Her response was hesitant at first but then she suddenly wasn t. The kitten became bolder. Matching him in passion, kiss for kiss. Encouraging more by copying him.

When he teased his fingers into her hair, she did the same with him. When he slid his hands down her back to her rear, she copied that too, and they laughed together when their arms became entangled.

Their lives would become entwined now, too. He d not counted on falling in love this season, but he loved a woman who had never wanted to become his duchess. Yet she would become one as soon as he could negotiate a marriage contract with her guardian, and he couldn t imagine a more deserving woman by his side.

She was kind, smart, and no wilting wallflower. She was already so dear to him. And keen to be his sister s friend. He almost couldn t believe he d been so lucky.

He drew back to look into her eyes again. Do you love me?

I do, your grace, she promised.

Remember those two words for later, he whispered, tapping her nose, And it s Sebastian from now on.

Sebastian, she whispered, an impish grin on her face. My Sebastian.

Yes, my love. I am well and truly caught, he whispered, astonished to see tears fill her eyes at his words.

Sebastian led her to a settee close to the fire and settled her on his lap. Gabby laughed and squirmed, no doubt unused to such things, but he held her close against his chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

He could not bear to let her go yet. But he would have to soon, of course. He must send her back to the ballroom and follow at a discreet distance. He would not have his future duchess reputation tarnished by scandal before their engagement was even announced.

He pressed his brow to hers. What changed your mind about me?

I don t know that it ever changed, she told him. I just needed to get to know you, and myself as well. There s more to choosing a husband than picking one at first glance, she warned him.

What else is there to want from a suitor than a handsome face, wealth and a title?

A man with a kind and loving heart. You had no reason to dance with me that first night. But you did, and that one act of kindness changed the course of my life. The way you are with your sister was also endearing. I could see how protective of her you were. I believe in that, and in you.

Overcome with emotion, Sebastian kissed her again and turned her about, pressing her back against the arm of the chaise. He d known he wanted this woman, desired her, but it had been his soul crying out for her, too.

Gabby wound her arms about his shoulders and kissed him back with so much encouragement that soon he was pulling up her skirts. He stopped himself with a muttered curse and buried his face in the crook of her neck. My dear, you excite me too much, too easily.

He felt her lips against his ear, and then her teeth nibbled the lobe. Did I ask you to stop?

He looked up at her in astonishment. No.

She smiled. I am bold, and I want you to touch me in ways I don t fully understand yet. But I m not afraid of what comes next, Sebastian. Something has to.

Sebastian slid his hand down her side. It doesn t have to be tonight, he promised.

Sebastian. My Sebastian, she whispered. But it will be.

Given he had permission, his fingers continued down her thigh until he found bare flesh. He teased his fingers slowly up to her sex. Gabby s eyes were wide open, and her breath came in little pants as he touched her sex for the first time, gently, reverently, but it was clear she wasn t going to stop him.

She was damp and willing, and Sebastian wanted her so much. He had to at least see her climax tonight. The rest could come during their courtship. He could not imagine waiting until their wedding night to share all that loving her could mean.

He teased his finger along her folds, gently parting her and exploring carefully. He found her clit as he claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss, swallowing her gasp. He teased his tongue into her depths, even as his finger found her entrance. He carefully teased her there for a while as she squirmed and pushed against his fingers. He could easily tell what he was doing wasn t enough for her. She would climax soon, but not before he got a proper taste.

He indulged in one last heated kiss before he moved down the chaise to put his head between her pale thighs. And when he put his mouth to work beside his fingers, he feared everyone in the ballroom would hear her moans and come running.

He kissed her sex, dragged his tongue along her folds and stabbed into her for his first proper taste. But time was short, and she was a virgin, too, so Sebastian confined himself to that one indulgence.

He found her clitoris again and devoted himself to proving himself as a lover. Kissing her and rubbing the flat of his tongue across her most sensitive parts. It did not take long before Gabby s knees rose to cradle his head, and she climaxed a moment later.

Her grip slowly loosened when she was done, and he quickly rose up over her. She stared up at him with soft, languid eyes, seemingly destroyed by her climax. He dropped a quick kiss to her lips and separated them fully. We have to get you back to the ballroom.

His erection, though, stuck out painfully hard in his breeches, and he didn t try to hide it from her. She had to know this about him one day soon. When they were married, he imagined they d spend many hours together, aroused or sated.

She sat up, eyes on his groin, which did not help his condition abate in any way. When she stood, eventually, he did his best to help straighten her gown. She was mussed, unfortunately. He tried to smooth her skirts, but she stilled his hands.

Don t worry about that now, she said with a smile. I asked Daisy to tell Bennett that I was having my hem mended. That will explain any added wrinkles.

He looked at Gabby in surprise. Daisy knew you were coming to me?

Yes, Gabby said with a shrug. She s my friend. I would do the same for her, too.

I owe her now as well, he promised. He went to the door and glanced outside. Time for you to go, he whispered to Gabby reluctantly.

Sebastian? What happens next?

He noticed her fidgets and closed the door again. We dance, and tomorrow I call on your guardian to formally ask for your hand in marriage.

Another dance? she teased; brow arched high.

Can you bear it?

I long for it, Gabby assured him. I ll go back to Daisy, and I ll see you there soon.

She slipped out the door, and Sebastian waited a few minutes before following. As he arrived in the ballroom, a hush fell over the gathering.

He slowed his steps, fearing Gabby had somehow given them away. She was standing beside her guardian now. Her face was pale as she clung to his arm.

Sebastian hurried to join them. What is it?

There s been a development, Bennett whispered, eyes locked on the far side of the room.

Across from them were Lord Brookes, Lady Whitlow, and Justine Dawes. And they appeared to be arguing. In public. In a manner that could clearly be heard by everyone near them in the ballroom. A silence descended over everyone else at the gathering.

You made a promise to me! Lady Whitlow complained loudly.

Lord Brookes looked around, eyes a little desperate and wild. Lower your voice.

Lady Whitlow stabbed her finger into his chest. You said if I did you that favor, you d marry. Shall I tell everyone what it was you asked of me?

Lord Brookes turned decidedly pale. No. I will keep my word.

Tonight, Lady Whitlow demanded, her eyes triumphant.

Sebastian winced. Lord Brookes looked to have trapped himself into making a marriage. Finally, one of the ladies he d led on would bring him up to scratch.

As Sebastian looked across the room, he couldn t help but notice that Justine Dawes had turned pale as Lord Brookes took up her sister s hand.

He glanced at Gabby, wondering what she thought of this turn of events.

This is terrible. Poor Justine, Gabby whispered. Such a scandal.

Although Gabby had whispered the question to him, Justine shot her a look of pure venom. Gabby flinched, and Sebastian moved closer to her side.

She looked up at him. Why is she doing this in front of everyone?

To force his hand, he told her, even as Brookes was lowering himself to one knee before Lady Whitlow. No one paid attention to the sister s dismayed expression.

Sebastian turned away. He d seen enough.

I could never have done that just to become a wife.

There will never be a need. Lady Whitlow got what she wanted, and in the same manner as she acquired her first husband. She s fond of a match under the threat of blackmail, Sebastian murmured.

Justine moved to stand behind the pair, her eyes lowered now.

People started moving around and whispering as the prospective bride and future groom were encouraged to dance together. To celebrate their match, such as it was.

Sebastian vowed that at the next ball, society would celebrate a better-made match. One both parties wanted.

He turned to Gabby and held out his hand. May I have the pleasure of the next dance, Miss Kimble?

I would be deeply honored, your grace, she said immediately, throwing him a shy smile.

Sebastian reached for his hand.

As they took the floor, along with others, he glanced at Justine Dawes one last time. She stood alone and continued to regard the floor. He felt pity for her. She d made a mistake turning her back on true friends.

His glance darted across the room to where Lord Brookes had just clumsily trod on his future bride s foot. Lady Whitlow limped to the sidelines, but Brookes turned the other way, leaving her to her friends. There had never been a more ill matched couple in his entire memory. Yet Brookes had proved himself an enemy. He had tried to blacken his character to Gabby s guardian. Sebastian could not forgive him for that.

Sebastian drew Gabby into his arms a little tighter and let out a sigh. It s the ultimate revenge.

What is?

Our engagement.

Gabby glanced up at him and frowned. I could never see it that way.

That warms my heart to hear, he promised as they spun about the floor together, perfectly in tune with each other.