He drew in a shallow breath and slowly lowered his head, giving her plenty of time to balk. Other than tightening her grip on her parasol, she moved not at all. Her gaze dropped to his lips; she sucked in a breath, only to have it tangle in her throat. Her lashes fluttered, then lowered; her eyes shut on a sigh as his lips touched hers.
It was the most delicate kiss he could remember sharing-a communion of lips, nothing more. Hers were soft, as delicate as they looked, intensely feminine. He brushed them once, twice, then covered them, increasing the pressure only slightly, aware to his bones of her youth.
He was about to draw back, to bring the light caress to an end, when her lips moved beneath his-in clear response, artless, untutored. Enthralling.
She kissed him back-gently, tentatively-her question as clear as it had been in her eyes.
Without thought, he responded, the hand framing her jaw tightening, holding her face steady as he shifted closer, angling his head as he deepened the kiss.
Her lips parted under his.
Just a little-just enough for him to taste her. He ran the tip of his tongue over her lower lip, caressing the soft flesh within, then briefly stroked her tongue, teasing her senses, already taut, quiveringly tight.
They quaked; she shuddered delicately, then stepped closer, so her breasts met his chest, her hips his thighs. Completely trusting, she leaned into him, into his strength.
Demon's head reeled; his blood pounded urgently. The need to close his arms about her-to lock her against him and mold her to him-was almost overwhelming.
But she was too young, too innocent, too new to this game for that.
His demons wailed and demanded-with what wit he had left he fought to deny them.
Even while he fell deeper into their kiss.
Unaware of his problem, Flick reveled in the sudden heat that suffused her, in the heady sense of male strength that surrounded her, in the firm touch of his lips on hers, on the sensual slide of his tongue between her lips.
This was a kiss-the sort of kiss she'd heard maids giggling over, a kiss that slowly curled her toes. It was enthralling, demanding yet unfrightening, an experience of the senses.
The vicar's son had once kissed her-or tried to. That had been nothing like this. There had been no magic shimmering in the air, no skittering sensations assailing her nerves. And none of the excitement slowly growing within her, as if this was a beginning, not an end.
The idea intrigued her, but Demon's lips, firm, almost hard, cool yet imparting heat, effortlessly held her attention, denying all her efforts to think. Leaning against him, her only certainty was a feeling of gratitude-that he'd consented to show her what could be, not just in a kiss but in one glorious afternoon of simple pleasure.
The sort of pleasure a man and a woman could share, if the man knew what he was about. She was immensely grateful to him for explaining, for demonstrating, for enlightening her ignorance. Now, in the future, she'd know what to look for-know where to set her standards.
As for today, she'd enjoyed his tutelage, enjoyed the afternoon-and this kiss. Immensely.
Her unrestrained, open appreciation very nearly overwhelmed Demon. Inwardly shaking with the effort of resisting the powerful instincts that had for so long been a part of him, he finally realized his hand had fallen from her face to her shoulder. Raising his other hand, he gripped her upper arm as well and gently eased her back from him. Then, with gentle care and a reluctance he felt to his soul, he drew back and ended the kiss.
He was breathing too fast. He watched as her lids fluttered, then rose to reveal eyes a much brighter blue than before. She met his gaze; he prayed she couldn't read his state. He attempted a suave smile. "So now you know."
She blinked. Before she could speak, he turned her to the curricle. "Come-we should return to Hillgate End."
He drove her back directly. To his surprise, she was patently unflustered, sitting beside him, her parasol open, sweetly smiling at the sunwashed countryside.
If anyone was flustered, it seemed it was he. He still felt disoriented, nerves and muscles twitching. By the time he turned the bays through the gates of Hillgate End, he was inwardly frowning, and feeling a touch grim.
He wasn't at all sure what had happened that afternoon, especially not who or what had instigated the proceedings. He'd certainly organized to spend a comfortable, enjoyable afternoon with an angel, but he couldn't remember deciding to seduce her.
Things had not gone according to any plan of his.
Which was possibly not surprising-in this sphere, he was a rank amateur. He'd never dallied with anyone so young, so untouched-so damned innocent-before. Which was at least half his problem-half the reason he was increasingly attracted to her. She was a very fresh taste to his definitely jaded palate; awakening her was a rare pleasure, a sweet delight.
But seducing an innocent carried responsibility-a heavy, unavoidable responsibility he'd happily steered clear of for all his years. He didn't want to change-had no intention of changing. He was happy with his life as it was.
The taste of her-apple and delicate spice-returned to him, and had him stiffening. Swallowing a curse, he drew the bays up before the front steps. He tied off the reins and stepped down; rounding the carriage, he helped her down.
She smoothed her skirts, then straightened and smiled-gloriously, openly, entirely without guile. "Thank you for a delightful afternoon."
He stared at her, conscious to his bones of a demonic urge to taste her again. It took all his concentration to maintain a suitably impassive mien, to take the hand she held out to him, squeeze it gently-and let go.
With a nod, he turned back to the curricle. "I'll keep you informed of anything we learn. Do convey my respects to the General."
"Yes, of course."
She watched him drive away, a smile on her lips; as the shadows of the drive enclosed him, a frown settled on Demon's face.
He was still frowning when he reached home.
Chapter 6
Demon ran Gillies to earth later that evening in the crowded tap of the Swan; he was nursing a pint and keeping a watchful eye on Bletchley. Their quarry was part of a genial group crowding one corner. Demon slid onto the bench beside Gillies. "Any action?"
"Nah. He went back to the Ox and Plough this afternoon, seemingly to check the post. He got a letter. Looked like he was expecting it."
"Did he leave it there?"
Glancing at Bletchley, Gillies shook his head. "He's got it on him, in an inside waistcoat pocket. He's taking no chances of losing it."
Demon sipped his beer. "What did he do after he got it?"
"Perked up, he did, and bustled right out again, back to the Heath for afternoon stables."
Demon nodded. "I saw him there-it looked like he had Robinson's string in his sights."
"Aye-that's my thought, too." Gillies took another long pull from his pint. "Robinson's got at least two favored runners in the Spring Carnival."
"I didn't see Bletchley approach any of the riders."
"Nor did I."
"Did he make contact with any gentlemen?"
"Not that I saw. And I've had him in sight since he came down the stairs this morning."
Demon nodded, Flick's warning in mind. "Stay at the stud tomorrow. Cross can follow Bletchley to morning stables-I'll take over after that."
"Aye." Gillies drained his pint. "It wouldn't do for him to get too familiar with my face."
Over the next three days, together with Cross and Hills, two of his stablemen, Demon and Gillies kept an unwavering watch on Bletchley. With activity on the Heath increasing in preparation for the Craven meeting-the official Spring Carnival of the English racing calendar-there was reason aplenty for Demon to be about the tracks and stables, evaluating his string and those of his major rivals. From atop Ivan the Terrible, keeping Bletchley in view in the relatively flat, open areas surrounding the Heath was easy; increasingly, it was Demon who kept their quarry in sight for most of the day. Gillies, Cross and Hills took turns keeping an unrelenting but unobtrusive watch at all other times, from the instant Bletchley came down for breakfast, to the time he took his candle and climbed the stairs to bed.