Rules of Engagement by Kathryn Caskie

Author:Kathryn Caskie [Caskie, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780446614238
Publisher: Forever
Published: 2004-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Rule Thirteen

Use bait to draw him into secure ground. Here, his strengths can be compromised.

“Someone is here!” Eliza’s breath seized with panic in her lungs.

For several seconds she remained completely still beneath Magnus, listening to the creak and groan of yielding floorboards as several people entered the hall. Gradually, the pounding faded as the group ascended the stairs.

Magnus rolled upright, snatched up his linen shirt and pulled it over his head. With a speed that astonished Eliza, he buttoned his now overtight breeches and hurried into his waistcoat.

Shooting her arms into her sleeves, Eliza hoisted her chemise and bodice into position, then scrambled to her feet. She whirled around, turning her back to Magnus. “My buttons,” she pleaded as she tugged down the hem of her gown.

With the speed of a lady’s maid, Magnus’s nimble fingers fastened Eliza’s gown, then he slipped on his waistcoat.

“Hurry” Eliza said, tossing his coat to him.

As she moved toward the door, Eliza wrung her hands and glanced frantically about the room for a means of escape. Her gaze focused on the large windows facing the street. “You will have to climb through the window. There is no other way.”

“The window?” Magnus lifted his brow and flashed a sardonic grin as he haphazardly tied his cravat around his throat. “Ye must be joking.”

“I assure you, I am not.” Eliza stared at Magnus with amazement. Though she shook with fear of being discovered, he seemed quite calm.

“I should think being caught together by yer aunts greatly preferable to explaining to all of London why an earl was seen climbing from yer parlor window.”

A voice drifted into the room from the passageway. “Eliza? Eliza, dear. Are you here?” It was Aunt Viola.

She heard the click of walking sticks on the floor just outside the door. Saw the brass door handle depress. Lord, help us.

“Answer her,” Magnus whispered, “as though nothing is wrong.”

Eliza nodded her head. “Yes, Auntie,” she replied feebly. “I am here.”

She looked frantically to Magnus. Do something. Please.

Magnus suddenly snatched up one of Eliza’s paintings from the stack of three propped against the wall. He held it before him, covering the telltale bulge in his breeches, just as the door opened.

“Lord Somerton!” Aunt Viola gasped and gaped at them in utter astonishment. She looked behind her at Aunt Letitia and Grace, who stared back at him with equally startled expressions.

Magnus bowed slightly, keeping the painting centered over his body. “Ladies.”

Eliza stepped in front of Magnus. “You have returned quite early. Did you forget something, perhaps?”

Aunt Letitia poked her cane into the Turkish carpet and moved toward Eliza. “How could we enjoy ourselves at the Spectacular, knowing our dear niece sat all alone at home?”

“Oh Letitia, how you go on,” Aunt Viola broke in. “It started raining again. The event has been postponed, so we came home.” She cast a frown in Magnus’s direction. “Of course, we could not have guessed you would be entertaining Lord Somerton whilst we were gone.”

Eliza’s felt her ears reddening. “I just—.

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