Wicked Lord by Eliza Lloyd

Author:Eliza Lloyd
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2011-09-13T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The door between their bedchambers opened and Redding stood there, his shoulder braced against the wooden jamb, his arms folded across his chest. Helene was dressed comfortably, her hair unbound, waiting for Dora to return and brush it out. Her room was well-lit but Redding’s masculine presence made the space around her shrink into an intimate, overly warm world.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Redding was the last person she wished to see. She was unbearably hurt by Alexander’s admission. All along, she had thought she’d disappointed Alexander. Knowing that he had not even come for her created a raw wound in her already battered heart.

Was Redding complicit? Alexander would only admit to his transgression and bad judgment. He had not accused Redding of doing anything overt. But knowing Redding…

“I would think that it was obvious, since you invited me.” His heated stare grazed her from head to toe.

Helene gripped the edges of her robe and pulled them together. The loose ties hung at her side but she would not reach for them while Redding’s gaze hungrily devoured her déshabillé.

Anxiety swelled in her chest, as it did every time she was near Redding. She could see her chest lift and fall as the cadence of her breathing grew faster.

“You can’t expect to…to exert your husbandly rights this evening. Not when we have guests in the house.”

“I’ll make sure you don’t scream.” He strolled into her chamber, shutting the door behind him.

She hurried to the other side of the bed, glancing to see the covers were turned down enticingly. “Really, Redding, the night has been nothing short of a disaster. Can you not see I am distraught?”

“Why?”

“Why? Because my betrothed is in a room not four doors down.”

“Former betrothed. And I could have him housed in the stables without a second thought. And I still can if you find his closeness as annoying as I do.”

“You were rude to a guest this evening. It was only right that I invited him to stay.

Miss Love, however, could have returned to the dower house without any difficulty.

You could have sent a footman to facilitate the repairs.”

“I think your invitation had more to do with jealousy than with manners.” 104

Wicked Lord

“She was throwing herself at you!”

“Her offer was for something I’ve already had. Not much cause for jealousy in that.

But with you, you suggested something much more enticing. Was your offer insincere?”

“My offer was poorly timed. I expect you to be a gentleman and depart from my chambers.” Helene’s heart galloped in fear. He would take what was his. Every time he had come near her with his worldly and despicable intentions, he had gotten what he wanted, leaving her feeling perplexed and heartsick that she gave in with reluctant submission and secret longing.

“You have never believed me to be a gentleman, and I would not want to give you the impression that I am.”

“If this is to prove a point about Alexander—”

“It isn’t.”

He gripped the far bedpost and came around the end of the bed toward her.

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