Dangerous Desires by Louise Clark

Author:Louise Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2015-07-10T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

London never seemed to change, Nicholas mused as he leaned against a tall wooden column, shaped in the Ionic order and painted so that it appeared to be made of pink marble. It was one of a row of columns that held up a gallery overlooking the Duchess of Chelmsford's neo-classical ballroom. Nicholas could hear the orchestra on the gallery above as it played a lively country dance, but emanating from the chairs set behind him, the nasal sounds of a spiteful woman describing her unfortunate spouse penetrated more sharply than the music. Nicholas concentrated on the dancing, his features set in a mask of indifference, but his gaze sharp. Occasionally he allowed his eyes to wander about the assembled company in a bored way that disguised his interest in the activities of one man—the Vicomte de St. Luc. At the moment, the Frenchman was speaking to his hostess and thus was not likely to be up to any nefarious activities.

Not for the first time since his return from Silverbrooke four days previously, Nicholas wished that he were free to deal with the Vicomte as he chose. Instead, he was hedged about by the restrictions he had agreed to when he accepted Gideon's request that he watch the man. Then, he had been unaware of how thoroughly he would come to despise St. Luc, or how closely the man would impinge on his own life through Stephanie's. If he had been free to act, he would have rid Stephanie of the Vicomte's dangerous presence the day the vile creature had insulted her on the Duchesse d'Arden's terrace. But he was not free to act, and St. Luc was still at large.

Thoughts of Stephanie brought a faintly reflective smile to Nicholas's mouth. It was easy to allow his memories of their time together at Silverbrooke to warm him once more. The days had been filled with a pleasure he had almost forgotten existed—the contentment of belonging to a place and the security of knowing that someone cared as much for him as he did for her.

Being separated from Stephanie had created an empty spot in his life that had surprised him. For so long he had remained detached where women were concerned. But Stephanie, without even knowing that she was involved in a battle, had vanquished the shadowy woman of grays and browns that Nicholas had always assumed he would marry. Along with experience and a natural maturing, she had also chased the reckless need for adventure from his soul. He had come to realize that Stephanie's constant challenges would fulfill his need for change. In many ways, life with that lady would be an adventure in itself.

The extent of her victory had been driven ruthlessly home to Nicholas on the day they had picnicked together. Then the mere touch of her hand on his thigh had sent fire burning through his veins, a fire that had almost been quenched there in the grassy grove beside the riverbank. He had

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