To Surrender to a Rogue by Cara Elliott

Author:Cara Elliott [Elliott, Cara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2010-08-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter fifteen The night mist swirled like liquid silver, washing over his boots as he moved lightly across the damp grass. The back of Alessandra's townhouse was dark, save for a glimmer of light from a glass-paned door at the far comer of the terrace.

Jack paused for a moment, shifting the small package from hand to hand as he watched the scudding moonbeams play off the pale stonework. Light and shadows. Like the lady herself, the subtle interplay of elements was intriguing, teasing the eye with its constantly shifting shapes.

Approaching the door, tie found it slightly ajar. Slipping inside, Jack found himself in a spacious study dominated by a massive oak desk piled high with books and papers. A single branch of candles was lit on the side table by the sofa. In its glow, the wood paneling appeared dark as aged sherry.

Alessandra turned slowly from the banked fire in the hearth. Her hair was down, held back by a single ribbon, and she was dressed in a silk wrapper, sashed loosely at her waist On seeing the hint of lace peeking out from its front, Jack felt his throat constrict She must be naked beneath the light fabric, save for her nightshift.

Jack was no stranger to midnight trysts, but oddly enough, he found himself feeling a bit nervous.

She, too, seemed on edge. Gesturing to the sideboard, she asked, "Would you care for some brandy?"

"Thank you." Crossing the carpet, Jack poured himself a glass, and then filled one for her. As he passed it over, their hands touched and he felt her flinch.

"Perhaps a sip of spirits will help you relax," he murmured.

Her lashes lowered, the dark fringe accentuating the paleness of her face. "Like you, I am entering a new field of study." Raising the glass to her lips, Alessandra added, "I have little experience in illicit affairs, so forgive me if I appear a little awkward."

To Jack's eyes, she looked sweetly shy. And achingly vulnerable.

"If you are regretting the invitation," he began.

"No," she said quickly. "Please—don't go."

Strange, but she sounded a little desperate.

Following her gesture, he took a seat on the sofa. Alessandra joined him, though her body remained rigid.

Jack took a swallow of brandy and looked around the study, wondering how to put her at ease. Spotting a small stone statue on her desk, he raised his glass in salute. "Ah, I see our friend Minerva has followed us from London, though this time she is wearing a different guise."

The candlelight caught a glimmer of a smile. "Seeing as she is the patron goddess of the Bath, it's no surprise that we find her here." Alexandra's shoulders softened. "This one was discovered in the small temple we are unearthing by the river. I brought it home to do a few tests with my acids, to determine whether the stone came from here or Italy."

"Interesting" he replied. "Have you come to any conclusion?"

Giving an answer seemed to break the ice. Her face grew more animated, and her color returned as she explained the technical tests.

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