Invitation to Ruin by Bronwen Evans

Author:Bronwen Evans [Evans, Bronwen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical romance, Fiction
ISBN: 9780758259196
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp
Published: 2011-02-28T22:00:00+00:00

Melissa knew something was wrong the minute the men rejoined the ladies in the drawing room. Anthony’s intense gaze locked on to hers. His held no warmth and his lips were thinned, hard and angry.

Cassandra decided to take an interest now the men had returned. She moved away from where she had been staring into the fire to sit on the settee across from Melissa. Lady Horsham and the Dowager Countess of Wickham sat on another settee, leaving room for Anthony to sit next to her on the day couch. She inwardly cringed at the obvious move.

Melissa resisted the urge to twist her hands in her lap.

“We saved you a seat beside Melissa,” Lady Horsham told Anthony.

Melissa watched Anthony hesitate, saw the moment of indecision. He did not want to sit next to her. She could see the truth of it in the tenseness of his body. Unable to politely refuse, he took the space beside her, careful not to let any part of him touch her.

Melissa’s mouth felt dry, and words stuck in her throat. She didn’t know what to say to a man who radiated so much anger. She glanced at her brother, who, taking the seat next to Cassandra, was whispering low and urgently in Cassandra’s ear. Melissa prayed her brother had not upset Anthony.

With what she hoped was a delightful smile on her face, rather than a scared grimace, she said, “We are to attend a luncheon put on by the Duke of Richmond tomorrow. I hope the fine weather holds.”

He nodded. “I am to meet with my mother tomorrow morning to apprise myself of our public calendar,” he said smoothly as he flicked a piece of lint off his trousers, not bothering to hide his boredom.

She swallowed the instant bolt of anger. It was hardly fair of him to take his displeasure at this marriage out on her. It was not she who had hopped into the wrong bed.

She bit her tongue to stop herself issuing an angry retort. Not in front of family and Lady Horsham. She would wait until she got him alone.

He moved, and his thigh briefly brushed her leg through the silk material of her skirts. Heat flared and her belly clenched. She struggled to remain composed as her mind brought forth the image of his naked torso propped against her headboard.

Soon, he would expect to become intimate with her. She’d been studying her book diligently. To have a remote chance at claiming his heart, she had to become a sensual siren.

Lord help her.

Still, she couldn’t wait to practice her learnings on Anthony. If Madame du Barry could capture a king, she hoped her untutored knowledge could at least ensnare her husband’s interest long enough for her to practice. After all, practice makes perfect.

Her eyes wandered over his form. She would enjoy the practice. Melissa remembered the twin ropes of muscle that cut his lower stomach and had disappeared under the sheet, beckoning her eyes to follow. He had the most perfect male body.

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