Regency - Chapter 3

Beth was startled by the gentle press of Alex's lips on hers. Her surprise quickly disappeared and she found herself responding instinctively to his kiss. When he pulled her closer, the embrace changed to something more heated. Beth was so caught up in the incredible sensation of her first kiss, she had no idea how long they embraced.

Eventually, Alex gentled his kisses and slowly, so slowly, pulled back. She looked up and gasped. Though the firelight from behind made it difficult to make out his features, she could tell that the face before her was unfamiliar.

She tried to pull away, but the stranger kept her locked in his incredibly muscular arms.

"Who- who are you?" she asked, looking at him in fear. Was he going to compromise her? Should she scream for help?

"The name is Alec, Miss. Alec Lindley." His voice was low and deep, carrying just the tiniest hint of an Irish lilt.

Beth gasped. She was certainly familiar with the name. Everyone was talking about the mysterious Irish Earl who had unexpectedly inherited old Lord Watford's title.

"But. . . I do not even know you."

"Nor I you, apparently," he answered. "But you did say my name. I assumed we were acquainted."

"And is this how you treat every young lady of your acquaintance?"

He laughed, a deep, cheerful sound. "I should say not. I do not believe I've ever done anything like this, honestly. You just caught me so off guard. And, well," he added with a rather adorable blush staining his cheeks, "You have very kissable lips."

"Very. . . kissable lips?" Beth couldn't help the giggle that escaped her. Of all the strange things to say!

"Very," he said again, softly, looking at her lips intently. He leaned down again and, before Beth could protest, she was being kissed again.

She knew she should pull away, or push him away, or something. But he seemed to be a very experienced kisser. And she was so enjoying his embrace, the gentle, tender kisses he was layering on her 'kissable lips', that she could not quite bring herself to end it.

At least, not until she remembered that she was supposed to be meeting Alex soon. Alex, the love of her life, her best friend.

This thought burst over her like cold water and she jerked from the Earl's arms and spun away, striding a few steps for good measure. She had to take a moment to get her breathing back under control before she could speak again.

"I apologize if I have given you a false impression, my lord, but I am not actually open to dalliance. I would be very grateful if you would leave me alone, please." She managed to keep her voice even and steady, in spite of her crazily pounding heart that seemed to be trying to beat right out of her chest.

"I would not have thought you were. You are much too sweet and innocent to give off such an impression," he said reassuringly. "I should apologize, I suppose, for taking such liberties. The problem is, I do not regret it, so I don't believe it would be a very sincere apology. I shall certainly apologize for making you uncomfortable, however."

"Apology accepted. Now will you please leave me be?"

"You seem quite desperate to be rid of my company. Have I offended you so badly? Can you not even stand the sight of me?"

She really wouldn't have turned, but he sounded quite. . . well, quite hurt. Spinning to face him and meeting his very bright, intelligent gaze, she sighed.

"No. It is not you. I have someone coming to meet me and it would be best if we were not discovered together."

"Ah. Then I thank you for the warning. I shall take myself off now. I hope we meet again." He sent her a charming smile, a graceful bow, and quickly left through a back door that led to a small study. The study had an exit to the hall, so Beth wasn't too worried. She turned her attention to the main library door through which she had entered.

Sure enough, within a minute of Lord Watford's departure, Alex strode through the door. She recognized his confident stride and his tall, imposing figure. How could she have possibly thought that the earl was Alex. Seeing Alex again, she realized how very different the two men were.

Alex was tall and slim. His hair was blond, but a lighter blond than the earl's. His face was leaner, his smile lazier. He carried himself confidently, but then, the earl did have that in common with him.

"Alex!" Beth cried, running to him with her hands outstretched. He caught her hands in his and looked at her with a warm smile.

"Beth! It has been an age, hasn't it? I can hardly believe how long it's been. And you all grown up and attending balls like a true lady."

"I am a true lady," she answered, a little stung by his careless comment.

"You certainly are," he agreed, scanning her from head to toe in a way that made her blush and want to hide. Especially when his eyes lingered in places that were. . . well.

"Um, are you enjoying your first ball?" she asked, trying to divert his attention from her very lacking figure.

"Oh yes, it's quite a crush, ain't it? Say, we're old friends, right?"

"Of course."

"Can I tell you something personal?"

"Certainly." Beth waited anxiously to hear his words. She hoped, perhaps, that he would share his feelings first. That would make her admission much easier and more natural.

"Well, the thing is. . . I think I've quite fallen in love."

"Fallen in love?" Beth felt a rosy glow. "That's wonderful! I-"

He cut her off before she could respond in kind. "She's a true goddess, really! And you'd be the prefect person to help further my cause."

Beth's hopes and dreams crashed around her as his words sank in. He was in love. . . but not with her. Beth felt the prick of tears at the corners of her eyes, but years of experience helped her keep her emotions from showing. Instead, she presented Alex with an encouraging smile. "Of course," she answered once she was sure that she could keep her voice even. "How can I help?"

"See, that's the beauty of it. You live with her."

"I live with her?" The sinking in Beth's middle intensified. There was only one person who fit that description.

"Arella has grown up so much. I hardly recognized her. Quite the beauty. We met in the park the other day, you know, and I was quite taken with her. But seeing her tonight! Oh Beth, it was like a revelation."

Her sister. The man of her dreams was in love with her beautiful, lively, flirtatious sister. Of course he was.