Rapturous Rakes Bundle by Diane Gaston & Nicola Cornick & Georgina Devon

Author:Diane Gaston & Nicola Cornick & Georgina Devon [Gaston, Diane & Cornick, Nicola & Devon, Georgina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781552548318
Google: NSVCO2ZlqRYC
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Lucas had recognised Rebecca as soon as she stepped into the room. He had only attended the masque on a whim, for he was bored with the prospect of another night teaching Stephen to play snooker, or a gambling session at White’s. Even worse was the thought of another dinner with Cory and Rachel Newlyn, glowing with happiness, making him feel like a frustrated outcast from a very exclusive club.

So he had gone to the masque and had felt the boredom and dissatisfaction grip him afresh at the sight of all that exotic and erotic excess, and then Rebecca Raleigh had walked into the room in her sinfully tight red silk dress and his heart had almost stalled. For a split second he had thought her to be the wanton she had always denied, and the hot disillusion and anger threatened to swamp all other feelings. Yet as he watched her he realised that there was something shocked and innocent in her demeanour as she stared at the licentious throng. And when he had seen her trying to refuse Fremantle’s attentions, he had been sure of it.

He had not intended to see Rebecca again, for both their sakes. He had resolved that Justin should take over the investigation into the engraving. Yet the minute he laid eyes on her it had made mockery of his good intentions. He had forgotten his honourable resolve, his determination to disengage before matters spiralled out of control. Instead he had flirted with her and pushed her hard with a desire that was entirely unfeigned. She had played her part well, but with enough hesitation and innate modesty for Lucas to know that she was part afraid, part intrigued. He could tell that she felt the same irresistible passion that he did and that it confused her. The knowledge was the only thing that held him in check and prevented him from sweeping her into his arms and his bed. The strong protective urge that he felt for her had not diminished. When he had seen Fremantle about to lay his disgusting hands on her, he had almost given way to violence.

Now he looked at Rebecca curled up in a corner of the hackney carriage and his heart twisted with pity and the need to comfort her. She looked so small and forlorn. He wanted to chase those shadows from her eyes. The surge of feeling she stirred within him threatened to overwhelm him.

On impulse he put out a hand and touched her shoulder. She did not move.

‘Rebecca…’ his voice was gentle this time ‘…what were you doing at the masque?’

He caught the sheen of tears on her cheeks as she turned her head towards him and he pulled her into his arms. She came easily to him, curving against him.

‘I wanted everything to be different,’ she said softly, ‘just for one night.’

Lucas pressed his lips to her hair. ‘I understand,’ he said, ‘but did it have to be a masque?’

He felt her smile against his chest.

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