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Excerpt from Chapter 2...
A tall, dark figure of a
well-dressed man emerged, closing the only means of
escape as he turned in her direction. Latching the study
door, he dropped the key into his jacket pocket and
folded his arms across his expansive chest. Leaning
against the door, he gazed at her from beneath
half-lowered lashes while a wickedly sinful smile graced
his lips.
“What is the meaning of
this, sir?” she demanded. “And where is Aunt Penelope?”
Without answering, he pushed
away from the door and strode towards her with slow,
powerful steps. He advanced with predatory steadiness
until they stood face-to-face. Her head tilted back in
order to make eye contact with Lord Marston, whom she
recognized from the ballroom. What a stroke of luck that
she would be led directly to the man who might be able
to answer her heart-wrenching questions. This man was
dangerous, but she must do whatever was necessary to get
information about Aidan.
A roguish smile curved half
of his sensuous mouth, while his silvery eyes stared
down meaningfully into her upturned ones.
“It’s a pleasure to meet
you, Miss Forbes. And may I say that this certainly is
the most pleasurable proposition I’ve ever received.”
His voice was husky, as he lifted her dainty digits to
his lips. A pleasant sensation shot up her arm and
traveled through her entire body, lodging in her
innermost core. She simply stared up in amazement.
He was a most handsome man,
one who obviously knew his own attributes, judging by
the twinkle in his eye and the devilish smile upon his
lips. As he bent to kiss her outstretched hand, a dark
lock of hair fell over one eye giving him a dangerously
rakish look. She was aware of his notorious reputation
from whispered gossip, and considered her tenuous
situation. She was alone with a known womanizer without
the presence of her chaperone. If knowledge of this were
to get out, her reputation would be ruined. She must
obtain any information he possessed and leave the room
as quickly as possible.
Shocked into action by her
reaction towards him, she removed her hand from his and
attempted to back away while he slowly advanced, until
she had her back against the bookcase. Placing a hand
upon his chest to maintain distance between them, she
stared up into his generous features while she regained
her faculties enough to begin her questions.
She could feel the hard
muscles of his broad chest, giving her a strange
sensation and a tingling where her fingers touched him.
She had not anticipated her unexpected attraction to
him, yet she felt no fear of him, only curiosity for the
feelings he elicited. But she must return to the party
before anyone realized she had left.
“My lord, I wish to discuss
with you the murders in Edinburgh, Scotland.”
Surprise registered on his
face and he visibly tensed, yet he remained silent.
“I have a personal interest
in these murders, sir, and I need to know all that you
know about them.”
Still he uttered not a word,
but continued to stare down.
The silence between them
gave her time to assess him. He was darkly handsome with
silver-gray eyes that penetrated her heart and shook her
very soul. He possessed strong chiseled features and a
straight nose that led to a very sensuous mouth. His
tall, muscular body could not be concealed even under
his black evening attire. His short dark hair curled
slightly at his collar. A stubborn forelock fell over
one eye, giving him a roguishly dangerous look. His
fine, white silk cravat contrasted well with his
slightly tanned skin.
She stared up into his
twinkling eyes, her heart beat quickening as her
breathing deepened. She was aware that he was rumored to
deflower innocents and bed females on a routine basis.
Yet the knowledge only made her quiver with excitement
as she considered the taboo circumstances. Rather than
fear for her virginity, she became entranced by his
powerful presence.
“My lord, you have not
answered me about the murders,” she said breathlessly.
He cocked his dark head while he pondered her words.
“Why would you believe that I would? Information usually
comes with a price, beautiful lady. I have not told you
mine yet.”
Her mouth opened in
surprise, for she was not sure she had heard him
correctly.
“Apparently you’ve changed
your mind about our little game, and it is information
that you now want. Did you really come here thinking I
would divulge valuable information and not be
compensated for it?”
A tiny bead of perspiration
trickled down between her breasts. “No, of course not,
my lord. What manner of payment did you have in mind?”
she asked hesitantly.
Slowly his eyes traveled
down to her thrusting cleavage, where the low cut of her
dress left little to the imagination. She could feel her
nipples harden from his inspection.
“How is it that you’ve come
upon this very private knowledge, lovely lady?” He
lifted her chin with his finger.
“A very reliable source told
me to speak with you if I wanted to know about the
murders, my lord.”
His face moved closer still.
“What reliable source?” he whispered.
“I cannot divulge my source,
my lord.” Suddenly she knew what payment he expected in
return for the secret information.
With her back pressed
against the bookcase, he leaned over her and rested one
hand against the shelf. She stared up into his eyes as
he lifted his hand from her chin to brush his fingertips
sensuously against her cheek. She tensed only
momentarily as her eyes fluttered from the sensuous feel
of his fingers. A sigh escaped her lips as she swirled
deeper into a carnal and forbidden place.
His fingertips did not stop
at her cheek, but slowly traveled down the length of her
neck, until they brushed the tops of her exposed
breasts. She gasped from the sensation and splayed both
palms against his chest in a half-hearted attempt to
halt his movements. She did not, however, feel inclined
to stop the wonderful sensations he created. On the
contrary, she closed her eyes slowly in blissful
surrender, allowing him to take advantage as he dipped
his head to brush his lips sensuously against hers.
Knowing she should resist him and end his provocative
behavior, she wavered and ultimately gave no resistance
at all. Instead, she tilted her head back, permitting
him to kiss her more deeply. His hands moved to her
waist, drawing her close to his aroused body. Their hips
met, their bodies pressing closer together.
She became lost in the
sensual feel of his lips and hands, and laced her arms
around his neck. She knew she should put a stop to his
advancements, but instead opened her mouth wider in a
carnal invitation. Boldly, he ground his pelvis against
her belly and the feel of his already engorged manhood
shocked her into reality.
Her body stiffened at the
action, and he backed away slightly as if to calm her
fears. She opened her eyes and met his gaze head on. Her
hands remained atop his shoulders as she stared deeply
into his eyes. Then he dipped his head to capture her
mouth.
She became lost in his
tender, exciting kisses and the web of seduction he wove
around her. She knew she should stop him, for the more
time that passed, the more chance there was that her
absence would be discovered. Rumors would spread, and
her reputation would be damaged beyond repair.
Disengaging her lips, she
pushed away and stared up as his arms cradled her
tenderly. His eyes sparkled, but were now a deep gray,
as his gaze locked onto hers with vivid determination.
Her lips parted as she panted, trying to gather the
words necessary to end their interlude. Moisture clung
to his lips from their shared kisses. She stared at his
mouth, wanting nothing more than to continue the
forbidden passion.
“No. We cannot do this,” she frantically whispered.
“Why not, my beauty?” he
asked calmly, all the while attempting to gather her in
his arms. “Why deny us both something that you know we
both want very much?” His voice had taken on a
seductively low tone.
“I simply lost my head, my
lord. We cannot continue this.” Bracing her hands
against his chest, she pushed him away from her body.
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