Georgina, Duchess of Bedford, held up her hands to gain her guests' attention. "We will now have a cotillion, where everyone changes partners when the music stops. But Lady Holland tells me the latest craze in London is a kissing dance. So when the dance ends, the gentleman will kiss his partner!" Whistles went up from all the males in the ballroom. Louisa drew in a quick breath and she felt her cheeks grow warm. Mother and Beth have come up with this plan because I told them I've never been kissed. I should leave! An inner voice told her this was the only way she could win her wager with her sister Georgy. When George Grey asked to partner her, she was on the horns of a dilemma. Should I run or should I stay? For a moment Louisa was rooted to the spot and then George took her hand and led her into the dance.

Each time the music stopped, there was a tangible air of anticipation. When it started again, everyone laughed and changed partners. The dance went on and on, as the musicians played a few bars, ceased playing for a beat or two, then resumed the music.

Georgina watched the couples closely. When at last she saw James Hamilton take her daughter Louisa as his partner, she signaled the musicians to end the dance.

When Louisa heard the music stop, she drew in a swift breath. Oh, please, please, play on! She waited as three beats stretched into four and she was suddenly gripped by panic. This cannot be happening to me! She glanced up and her eyes met Abercorn's triumphant gaze. Her long black lashes swept down immediately and lay fanned against her pale cheeks. She stiffened as she felt Hamilton's powerful arms envelope her. She could hear her heartbeat thudding inside her eardrums and fear spiraled through her belly.

To Louisa, everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. She felt the pressure of his hands on her back as he drew her close. Her lashes flew up in time to see his dark head bend toward her and his lips descend slowly to take possession of her mouth. She gasped for breath and as her lips opened, her eyes closed and Abercorn kissed her.

I must resist him. She held herself rigid, but gradually his compelling closeness overwhelmed her and her thoughts ceased to exist. She stopped thinking and starting feeling. Her stiffness melted and her lips softened beneath his possessive mouth. His male scent stole her senses and his hard, muscled body pressed against hers, luring her to raise her arms and cling to him. She heard the whisper of her gown as it brushed against his marble-hard thighs. Her lips could taste the raw desire of his mouth as he bent her to his will. And then it was over. She felt dismay that the kiss ended and she staggered as he withdrew his powerful arms from her. She gazed up into his dark eyes. I'll remember your kiss forever.

Louisa blinked as if awakening from a trance. Dear God, you must never let the dominant Irish devil know the effect he had on you! She raised her hand and slapped his face. She knew immediately it was the worst thing she could have done. He grinned down at her knowingly. The slap told him exactly how devastating his kiss had been.