More than a Masquerade: Ladies of the Order - Book 2 by Clee Adele

Author:Clee, Adele
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The boards in the corridor creaked beneath the weight of footsteps, drawing Eli from a light slumber. Ordinarily, he would grab a weapon and hide behind the bedchamber door, ready to defend or attack, but Rachel had been so coy in manner during dinner this evening, he knew she’d been plotting something in that pretty head of hers.

His heart thumped wildly at the prospect of her entering his private domain. Had she thought of something important relating to the case? Or was this midnight liaison an attempt to catch him unawares?

Eli waited until the doorknob turned before feigning sleep.

A vision of loveliness slipped into his chamber. A vision of pristine white cotton and flowing golden hair. Amid the glowing embers of the fire and flickering lights of the candle lamps, he saw her curvaceous silhouette through the fine material. Hell, the plain nightgown was more alluring than sheer silk.

Rachel closed the door and padded over to the bed.

Lying naked with the bedsheets stretched across his abdomen, Eli wondered if she’d notice the rapid rise and fall of his chest, notice the outline of his shaft growing more prominent with each breath.

She took a moment to inspect his unconventional bed. Erotic images entered his head when she stroked the solid post, but he was the prey, not the hunter, and so could do nothing but wait with eager anticipation.

The minx trailed her fingers along the sheets as she moved towards him. “I know you’re awake, Eli.”

He opened his eyes and drank in the magnificent sight. “I’m rather glad I am. I’d not have missed this for the world.”

“This?” She arched a brow.

“This unexpected yet welcome intrusion.” Transfixed by her mussed hair and pouting lips, he suddenly wished he was the one in control, the one intent on seduction.

“I’m not here to ravish you,” she said, yet her gaze slid over his bare chest, hot and needy. “I’ve come to negotiate.” She touched him then, the soft pads of her fingers settling on his arm. “And to discuss the next move in this case.”

He hoped the next move was her slipping her hand beneath the sheets to caress his aching cock. The glazed look in her eyes said she’d had a similar thought. Instead, she climbed onto the bed and sat beside him.

“Concerning our next move, the possibilities are endless.” He gripped the bedsheets to protect his modesty and sat up. He tried not to stare at her bare feet, but beneath the nightdress were bare legs and a jewel of a treasure. “We find James Tinsley and prove the Meyers are lying. We tell the Council we’re making progress with the coded letter. We—”

“I have made progress with deciphering the code. With ing being a common ending, I now know which symbols relate to those three letters.”

“Excellent. I’ll have a footman deliver a note to Truscott’s London abode, warning him you’re close to solving the riddle.” Truscott would soon spread the word to the other council members, and the traitor would panic.

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