Scandal Before Sunrise by Sabrina Darby

Author:Sabrina Darby
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2015-09-02T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

Abigail attended the opera that night, but not in the Duke of Manfrey’s box. Manfrey did not look particularly upset by Abby’s absence, as his companions were two women of the demimonde—not that Abby was supposed to acknowledge that women like them existed. Instead, she sat with Lord Norwood and Mrs. Fairchild, the safe and wise choice, threatened only by the fact that in the next box over were the Earl of Wycombe and his brother. There was a polite exchange of pleasantries between all of the occupants of both boxes, during which Abby avoided meeting a certain gentleman’s gaze directly.

The overture ended. The curtain rose. After that, every time she looked toward the stage, there Elliot Jones was in her peripheral vision, taunting her with the wave of his hair about his ear, with the sliver of his skin between cravat and chin. In the dim light, she dared to study him. His gloved hands rested on the balustrade, which made her wonder how those hands would feel on her.

It didn’t help that he paid equal attention to her. That their eyes met one too many times throughout the long, drawn-out soprano aria at the end of the first act. That she knew exactly what he meant when he gestured to her with the slightest jut of his chin.

That she wanted to meet him for such an assignation, even if it was dangerous and foolish.

When the act ended, she excused herself to the ladies’ retiring room. But once in the hall, she turned the other direction, walking oh-so-slowly.

“This way, Miss Billings.” Her whole being smiled at the sound of his rich, smooth voice a step behind her. That smiled played faintly on the corner of her lips as she let him take her arm. He directed her into an empty box, held her back near its entrance, in the shadow of the curtains.

“It’s the Earl of Parbury’s box,” he said by way of explanation, his hand still at her elbow. “Only Parbury’s just passed and the young son is at school. No one dares do anything with the thing.”

“I shouldn’t be here with you,” she said, leaning against the wall, studying his face. But he wasn’t studying hers. Instead, he was caressing her skin just above the length of her glove. “Anyone could see.”

“No one can see.”

She laughed nervously. But he bent his head toward her, so close and yet so far away.

“Go then if you wish to go, but I suspect you are here because you are dreadfully bored.” His breath teased her skin. If she tilted her head up the slightest bit toward him he’d take the hint and kiss her.

She was bored. But she was also drawn to Jones in a way that went beyond mere boredom. “Is that why you are here?”

“Yes. Because you dispel that boredom. Because I find you tantalizing.” He pulled her into his arms fully and she savored the warmth and strength of his embrace. “Two wagers.”

She loved the anticipation of flirtation, the way every breath, every word, was more charged.

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