Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 53

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It seemed an eternity had passed before Arabella finally ended the kiss and reluctantly eased her mouth and arms away from him, leaving a cold, hollow spot in the places that had just filled with warmth. When he opened his eyes to see her face, he wondered if he only imagined it but she looked just as shaken, returning his gaze with a slightly quivering smile.

"Not bad for your first time."

Not bad at all.

Actually, the pretend kiss had left her dazed, not quite able to think or focus on anything else. Not intended for anything other than a charade, that kiss wasn't supposed to evoke any feelings, or to stir strong emotions as if it were a real one. She didn't expect it to have such a breathtaking impact on her, like the warm, giddy sensation that made her knees weaken and her mind reeling. Good heavens! It had been too long she'd forgotten how good it was to be kissed by a man who knew how to do it right.

Arabella averted her gaze from Matthew to hide her sudden unease, and met the contemptuous stares of the audience across the lawn. She shifted her focus to the welcome distraction. It appeared her mission to tarnish herself had been accomplished. Glaring at them with a look of reproach, the ladies turned their back on them and left.

Still lightheaded from the lingering sensation in the aftermath, Matthew was left with conflicting feelings. He thought he'd had enough with the introductions, but he wouldn't mind repeating the recent act a thousand times more. However, he wasn't sure how Arabella felt about that kiss. She looked a bit unsteady on her feet when they left the arbor, stumbling forward awkwardly when they crossed the empty lawn.

"How'd you know it was my first time?" Suddenly Matthew broke the uncomfortable silence. Grateful for the distraction, she turned towards him with a forced smile.

"You said you never had a lover." She paused, then, "Or was that a lie? Well, it seems that you knew what you were doing."

Despite the sudden upsurge of pride, Matthew attempted a casual response.
"You sound like you've had a lot of experience."

"I do know a few things about it." She admitted honestly, and Matthew felt a sudden flare of jealousy. Oblivious of the fact, she gave a playful smile.
"Not much, really, but enough to tell a good kisser from the bad ones."

"And you think I'm the good one?"

"Never said so. I said it was not bad, but there's still room for improvement."

It was on the tip of his tongue to ask what he could possibly do to improve, but he thought better of it. Wordlessly he followed her to the far end of the garden, where a stone wall stood behind a cluster of trees and underbrush. Matthew could hear the echo of laughter and conversations from beyond the barrier, where the coachmen waited for their masters in the narrow lane behind the fancy houses. She headed to a door at the far corner of the wall, intended for the servants and vendors. Matthew watched in confusion as she removed the bolt and pulled the knob. Lights from the torches outside spilled through the opening when the door swung inward. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, Arabella cast her eyes over four dozen carriages that lined the edge of the street. Matthew stopped next to her.

"Bella, where are we going?"

"Which one is your carriage?"

Instantly aware of her intention to leave her mother alone at the party, Matthew found her behavior unacceptable.
"Bella, I don't think it's wise for you to ride home with me. What about your mother? You're not going to just leave her at the party? She will be worried sick."