Thalia could not think what to do or say and, as she felt the warm pressure of his mouth, she quivered as something strange streaked through her whole body.
It was like lightning, and yet there was a pleasure and excitement about it that she could not describe.
She wanted to protest, she wanted to speak, but she could not find the words.
Then, as she tried to take her hand from his, the horses came to a standstill and she realised that they had reached the entrance to Shepherd’s Market.
The Earl set her free and, as the footman opened the door, he stepped out.
Thalia knew that he was waiting for her to give him her hand and help her alight, but she managed to do so without his touching her and walked quickly into the darkness of the arch leading into Shepherd’s Market.
The market was
