All Night With a Rogue by Hawkins Alexandra

Author:Hawkins, Alexandra [Hawkins, Alexandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780312580193
Publisher: St. Martin's
Published: 2010-02-02T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“GOMFREY, HOW THE devil did you steal this beautiful creature away from Sinclair? I thought he was courting her?”

Juliana cringed at Lord Ripley’s crass question. The gentleman was positively ogling her, which was disrespectful not only to her but also to his female companion. Was this a sign that Juliana’s position in society had plummeted? How many encounters such as this would she be forced to endure?If not for Lord Gomfrey’s fingers digging into her arm, she might have bolted. The pain radiating up her arm was a warning to behave. Her family’s fate depended on her ability to convince the ton that she had rejected Sin for Lord Gomfrey.

The earl was enjoying himself, basking in his enviable position. “I credit Lady Juliana’s discernible taste for recognizing the better man. Is that no so, my love?”

The pressure on her arm increased. With her teeth clenched together, she smiled. “I would not dare challenge the eloquence of your words, my lord.”

Everyone around them laughed, though she noticed Lord Gomfrey’s brow furrowed in puzzlement as if he was debating whether she was mocking him. Lord Ripley changed the subject, and she was ignored.

Nitwit. Sin and a dozen others would have recognized her sarcasm for what it was. If Lord Gomfrey expected her to speak plainly, he was going to be vastly disappointed. She was his prisoner until he considered Lady Duncombe’s debt repaid. Defiance was the only weapon Juliana could wield.

Below them, the orchestra had played the first and second music and the opening strains of the overture had commenced. Juliana looked about the theater. No one seemed interested in finding their seats. She longed to lose herself in the music, but she could barely hear it over the din of conversation. There would be no respite in her torment.

Her eyes burned. Tears? Juliana turned her head away from Lord Gomfrey. No, this was not the place to indulge her tears. She was supposed to be enjoying her new suitor. If the earl noticed the slight, she was certain to face his wrath later.

As she furiously blinked away the evidence of her brief slip, she realized someone in the next box was observing her. Outrage fortified her as if someone had slapped her across the face. Oh, the impertinence of some people! Juliana prepared to deliver her most scathing glance to the rude gentleman, but her hand fluttered to her throat in horror as she recognized the man.

Lord Chillingsworth.

Juliana wanted to scream at the injustice. Of all of Sin’s friends, this gentleman seemed to dislike her the most, although she could not exactly fault his words or actions if she overlooked the evening he had kissed her. Nevertheless, there were odd moments when she would sense him watching her, his light blue eyes blazing with undeniable hostility. She could not fathom what she had done to offend him.

His slow smile filled her with alarm.

She read the triumph and satisfaction on his handsome face. Chance had chosen him to be the dark messenger, the one to tell Sin of her betrayal, and the tale would not be flattering.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.