The Danger in Tempting an Earl by Sophie Barnes

Author:Sophie Barnes
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“Where are we going?” Katherine asked as they rolled into London the following day and the carriage continued past Crossby House.

“To Patricia’s,” Lucien said. Katherine had always gotten on well with his sister, most probably because they were close in age. “You’ll be safe there while I pay a visit to Riley’s.”

“You don’t think she’ll mind?” Katherine asked him skeptically. “Your sister is expecting her third child, Lucien. I imagine the last thing she needs right now is to entertain an unexpected guest.”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate the company, not to mention that I’m rather looking forward to seeing her again after all this time. Besides, I’ll return soon enough, and then we can continue on our way.”

“Whereto, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Why, to Roxberry House, of course,” he said, as if it had been no less proper than taking her for a stroll in the park.

Katherine stared at him. “You cannot be serious!”

It was difficult not to laugh as understanding flashed across her face, stirring a blush in her cheeks. Oh, fear might urge her to push him away, but Lucien now knew that everything he’d ever dreamed of could be his, provided he went about obtaining it in the right way. His gaze fell to the lips he’d so recently kissed. God, she’d felt good in his arms—­better than he could ever have imagined, and so willing . . . so responsive and bold.

He pondered the way in which she’d retreated from him in the carriage the day before. One moment she’d been lost in passion; the next, it was as if a wall of ice had slid into place. What had prompted such a sharp reaction? His words? “You’ve no idea how many times I’ve thought of peeling away your gown so I could kiss the skin beneath.” Lucien frowned as he focused on what had happened. She’d grown rigid—­distant—­her eyes brimming with pain that courted terror, like a rabbit caught in a trap with dogs approaching. He hadn’t mentioned undressing her since, and she’d been more willing when he’d kissed her the second time—­lost in the moment.

“On the contrary,” he said, “I’ve never been more serious about anything else in my life.”

“But it’s preposterous, Lucien.” Her eyes darted about. “Don’t you see how scandalous it would be? Why, there are many who are already of the opinion that . . . that . . .”

“That what?” he asked smoothly. He could see her struggling with the words as if she wanted to speak them but couldn’t quite get herself to do so.

Averting her gaze, she said, “That we are lovers.”

“Ah, but we are not, are we, Kate?”

Her eyes shot toward his. “Certainly not!” Her blush deepened. “However, if I cross the threshold of your home unchaperoned and it becomes known that I spent the night, there’s no telling what the gossips will say. I don’t want scandal to tarnish my name or Sophia’s, Lucien. Please try to understand.”

He studied her closely, noting how severely her worries marred her features.

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