Chasing a Rogue by Victoria Malvey

Author:Victoria Malvey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2002-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Steven, where are we going?” Harriet asked, as he led her down the steps onto the Thompsons’ rear lawn.

“You’ll see.”

His evasive answer didn’t bother her. What did she care where he was taking her? Anywhere Steven went, she would eagerly follow.

Rounding the corner of the town house and heading for the street, Harriet couldn’t help but wonder if he were running away with her. A quick trip to Gretna Green would be lovely. Oh, please, please, please let it be that, she thought, sending the quick prayer upward.

Steven came to a standstill in front of a beautiful confection of a carriage. With the plush red seats, golden scrollwork, and gleaming white exterior, the carriage looked as if it had been plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. It was precisely the sort of carriage that a newly married couple should ride off in.

That thought stuck, resonating within her, breathing life into her fragile hopes.

Clasping her hand, he turned her toward him. “This afternoon you helped me find peace, generously opening yourself to me, giving me more than you will ever fully realize.” He traced the tips of his fingers along the curve of her jaw. “Tonight, I wish to return the favor and give you something you long for.”

“You?” she asked, unable to hold back the question.

He smiled softly. “An adventure,” he corrected. “You told me once that you were always second best, the ‘best friend.’ Tonight, you shall become an enchantress, a goddess among mere mortals.”

A giggle broke from her at the thought. “Me?”

“Yes, you.” He released her hand to cup her face between his fingers. “Step outside yourself, Harriet, just for this evening, for this moment. Become the woman you dream of being—bold, strong, beautiful.”

His words tempted her, but she knew it was a fool’s notion to believe even for a moment that she could ever be more than remarkably unremarkable. “I can’t,” she whispered finally.

“You can if you want to badly enough.” His gaze roamed over her features. “I see that woman inside of you. You have such strength, Harriet, such inner beauty; all you need to do is allow it to blossom, to release it and believe in yourself.” His thumbs slid over her lips, bringing forth bright memories of that very afternoon. “Just for tonight.” He captured her gaze. “For me.”

Magical words, for Harriet would do anything for him. But could she do this? Could she become bold, wild, and confident?

Like she had today at the cottage?

She had been all those things today, hadn’t she? The realization stunned Harriet. Today she’d been an artful seductress who had taken her lover almost beyond his point of control, driving him mad with desire, and here stood that same man, asking for her to take another adventure with him.

Why on earth was she even hesitating?

“A goddess such as I should never be kept standing in the chill night air,” she said, putting as much haughty emphasis into her words as she was able.

Steven’s grin was her reward. Releasing her, he swept into a deep bow.

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