Three Nights... by Debra Mullins

Author:Debra Mullins
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Tags: Historical
ISBN: 9780060561666
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2004-02-04T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The new gown made her feel like a princess. Lucien had sent the carriage back to Madame Foussard's that afternoon to bring her home, though he himself had not accompanied it, and she'd not seen him at dinner. But as she descended the stairs that evening, he waited for her at the base of the staircase, looking devastating in basic black evening wear. He'd cut his hair, and while it was still long, it looked less savage and more a la mode. Even the scar near his eye couldn't detract from his elegance.

"Good evening, my dear," he said, as she reached the last step. He lifted her hand and brushed a kiss against it. "You look breathtaking. I shall be the envy of every man at the ball."

"Th-thank you." She pulled her hand from his grasp, unnerved by the heat that tingled along her fingers.

"I've taken the liberty of obtaining a small token for you." He reached for a black velvet case on a nearby table and flipped it open. She gasped at the contents. "A husband's prerogative," he added.

Against the black velvet lining glittered a necklace of diamonds and pearls. She reached out to touch one matching earring, then hesitated, as if by doing so the gorgeous jewelry would disappear into her fantasies. With a small smile of amusement, Lucien scooped up the necklace, then set the box back on the table.

"If you would allow me . . . ?"

She closed her eyes and nodded, presenting him with her back. She felt the heat of him as he stepped up behind her, the cool touch of the gems against her bare skin as he draped the necklace around her throat. His fingers brushed the nape of her neck as he fastened the clasp, and she couldn't suppress a shiver as her nerve endings tingled in reaction.

He paused for a moment, hands resting against the slope of her shoulders. Then he swept a finger along her spine, stopping where bare skin ended. She made a soft sound, unable to conceal her reaction. He stepped away, and she heard him getting one of the earrings out of the box.

He came around in front of her, and she glanced at his face. The same hunger that tormented her was reflected in his taut features. Drawing out the action, he fastened the jewels to first one ear, then the other.

"There," he said, taking a step back to admire her.

A possessive smile touched his lips. "That's how my wife should look."

Something deep inside her melted at the way he said "my wife," and she had to fight the instinct to step into his arms. Her husband could be entirely too charming when he set his mind to it.

He chuckled as if he could read her thoughts. "Come, my sweet," he said, offering her his arm. "The ton awaits."

"Mr. and Mrs. DuFeron!"

At the Portworthys' ball, they paused in the doorway to the ballroom. Whispers rippled through the crowd and became a dull roar. Their

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