“Ow!” She grabbed his wrist in defense, but she was already several inches closer. “If it’s respect you want, I’ll call a couple of the servants and have them carry you out, in state. Meanwhile, let go or I’ll have to show you how easy it is to cause unconsciousness by applying pressure to certain nerves.”

“Hannah, you’ve got to learn not to be so flighty and romantic.”

“It’s in the blood.” She sat back on her heels to massage her ear. “Bennett, why are you sleeping on my settee instead of in your own bed?”

“I don’t know who designed this thing. Another foot longer and a man could be comfortable.” He dragged himself up a bit so that his feet dangled over the arm. “I wanted to talk to you.” He rubbed both hands over his face. “When I got in, I saw that we still had guests. I took the coward’s way and used the back stairs.”

“I see. And Madame Beaulieu spoke so highly of you.”

“Madame Beaulieu doesn’t speak, she hisses.”

“I know. I sat next to her at dinner.”

“Better you than me.”

“How gallant.”

“You want gallant?” With one swing, he had her off the floor and stretched on top of him. He cupped the back of her neck with his hand, pressing as his mouth took hers quickly, completely.

“What does that have to do with gallantry?” she managed after a moment.

He smiled and ran a finger down her nose. “All the other women I’ve known have been impressed by it.”

Hannah drew back another inch. Smiling, she ran a finger down his throat, then up again. “About those nerves I mentioned.”

He caught one wrist, then the other. “All right then, tomorrow I’ll look for a puddle to toss a cape over.”

“A safe enough promise since it hasn’t rained in days.” She started to shift, but he brought her close again.

“Stay. I haven’t seen you at all today.” His lips were warm and coaxing against her cheek. “Do you know, Hannah, a man has to have you in his arms, has to have his lips against your skin before he catches your scent. Do you do that on purpose?”

She wore no perfume. It had to do with leaving no traces behind. “You said you . . .” He moved his lips to her ear. “You wanted to talk to me.”

“I lied.” His teeth closed gently over her earlobe. “I wanted to make love with you. In fact, I had a devil of a time keeping my mind off that thought throughout a long and frustrating board meeting and a noisy dinner.” He drew down the zipper at the back of her dress. “I had to give a speech.” He found silk, thin, fragile silk, beneath the linen. “It was difficult not to babble when I kept imagining myself here, with you.”