Clandestine (House of Oak Book 3) by Van Nichole

Author:Van, Nichole [Van, Nichole]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Fiorenza Publishing
Published: 2015-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Kinningsley

A few minutes later on February 28, 1814

That will be all, Miss Ashton.” Lady Ruby waved her hand, pulling a lavender shawl tighter around her shoulders. Kit plumped a final bed pillow. “You are free to retire or continue mingling with the other guests. Please see that I am not disturbed.”

“As you wish, my lady. Good night.” Kit curtsied.

Lady Ruby nodded and reached for a book on her nightstand as Kit carefully closed the bedroom door, balancing a candle in her hand.

Kit tripped down the grand staircase, slippers tap-tap-tapping on the marble, eager to return to the drawing room and the company there.

Well, really only one person—Marc.

Scarlet Partridge, indeed.

She left the stairwell with a bounce in her step and started across the soaring entry hall.

“There you are,” a deliciously low baritone voice murmured from behind her.

Marc.

Before Kit could answer, a strong hand snagged her elbow and pulled her into the library. Without a word, Marc lifted the candle from her hand and carefully used it to light a standing candelabra next to a table.

He stood back, arms crossed, staring at her. “Really, Miss Ashton, we must stop meeting like this.”

“Indeed, my lord. What will people say?”

He grinned.

Kit grinned back.

And then his smile turned quite predatory. A thrill sizzled down her spine.

He took a step toward her. And then another.

She raised an eyebrow at him. Questioning. But she didn’t take a step back.

His grin turned decidedly roguish, green eyes glinting catlike in the dim light.

Kit caught her breath. What was it about this man? An adventurer wrapped up in a gentleman’s clothing. That combination of tailored elegance and wild unpredictability.

You are in soooo deep, Virtuous Angel whispered.

Mmmmm, can you blame her? I mean, look at him, Wicked Angel sighed.

Kit did look at him. She wanted to rumple his clothing, to take him back to the man who had jumped onto her runaway horse. Elemental.

Marc took another step toward her, stopping so close Kit could see the faint reflection of the room in his eyes. Could feel the heat of his body.

Her heart sped up.

And then, with that same lazy grin, he reached out and grasped her elbow, tugging her to him.

Kit didn’t resist.

He engulfed her in his arms. His incredibly strong, muscled, male arms.

The sudden touch shocked her. But right behind the shock came relief.

At last.

As if she hadn’t been complete before this. As if every moment spent outside his embrace was only half-lived.

For her part, Kit wrapped her arms around those broad shoulders, leaning on them. Threading a hand into his thick, curly hair.

“Is this your boon?” she asked. “Because though it was a near thing, I never laughed. I admit Scarlet Partridge was a near miss—”

Marc laughed and gathered her closer. “I have been wanting to do this all evening,” he muttered into her ear. “All week, really.”

Kit resisted a sigh as he tightened his arms around her waist, his thumbs making lazy circles against the small of her back.

He was just so warm, so solid. Heavens but she loved the strength of him.

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