A Wicked Way to Win an Earl by Bradley Anna

Author:Bradley, Anna [Bradley, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-10-09T07:00:00+00:00

* * *

It would be a bloody miracle if he survived this evening.

Alec surveyed the modest gathering. It was mostly neighbors from the surrounding estates and a few close friends who’d arrived early from London in anticipation of the ball. The evening seemed to be progressing much as he might expect. Archie was flirting with Mrs. Ashton. Lady Lisette and her mother were deeply engaged in a conversation with Lord and Lady Barrow, which suited Alec’s purposes perfectly. He didn’t want Lisette underfoot just now.

Alec was impeccably dressed in severe black evening attire. He stood next to the fireplace, a snifter of brandy in his hand, looking every inch the elegant lord of the manor.

He was ready to explode.

He hadn’t spoken to Delia in three days, not since his disgraceful loss of control in the garden. He hadn’t touched her again, either, but he could still feel her warm, silky skin under his fingertips and taste the sweet honey of her mouth on his lips. It was as if his body had sprouted nerve endings he never knew he had, for the sole purpose of remembering what it felt like to touch and taste her. He couldn’t trust himself with her. He realized that now. But every moment he didn’t spend with her was another moment Robyn would. The past few days had proved that.

Alec resisted the urge to tear at the tight cravat at his neck and glanced across the room. Robyn greeted a few friends and returned a few coquettish glances, but he was restless and distracted. His eyes kept darting toward the door. Alec watched Robyn’s restless pacing and took a deep swallow of brandy. His brother looked about as relaxed as a stallion ready to be taken to stud. With every day that passed, Robyn grew more enamored of Delia.

She had to leave the house party. At once.

A ripple of subdued excitement passed through the room. Alec turned toward the door, and at once he forgot about Robyn, his brandy, and his tight cravat. Delia had entered, her arm linked with Eleanor’s. Charlotte followed behind with Lily. The energy in the room changed subtly, the way it does when a captivating guest arrives. Heads turned. Alec saw more than one male gaze linger.

Delia’s hair was piled high. Tiny dark blue silk flowers peeked out from among the thick wavy tendrils. Long curls escaped and brushed her smooth white shoulders. Her pale blue gown was not lavishly trimmed. It was not in the first stare of fashion, either, and compared to some of the other gowns in the room, the neckline was almost prudish. She wore no gems at all—only a small length of blue ribbon around her white throat. It was almost laughably quaint, but it made no difference. Alec drank her in greedily. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her.

“Delia!” Robyn crossed the room to Delia’s side with an eagerness that drew the attention of the other guests. Alec stiffened as Robyn raised one of Delia’s white-gloved hands to his lips.

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