How the Rake Tempted the Lady by Laura A. Barnes

Author:Laura A. Barnes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: regency romance steamy series, matchmaking regency romance, regency romance new release, regency romance with sex, regency romance hot steamy, Historical romance scoundrel, historical romance love triangle, regency romance with duke, regency romance with marquess, historical romance virgin, regency romance banter, laura a barnes, matchmaking madness, tricking the scoundrels, romancing the spies, rescued by the captain, rescued by the spy, rescued by the scot, whom shall i kiss an earl a marquess or a duke, whom shall i marry an earl or a duke, i shall love the earl, the scoundrel's wager, the forgiven scoundrel, how the lady charmed the marquess, how the earl fell for his countess, how the rake tempted the lady
Publisher: Laura A. Barnes
Published: 2021-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

It had been three days since he’d seen Gemma, and every one of them was longer and lonelier than the day before.

Sure, he’d spent them filled with visits to his club, wooing Lady Langdale, and scheming with Worth. However, none of those activities compared to holding Gemma in his arms and ravishing her lips. Not to mention her delectable body. After having a taste, he craved her with a need unclear to himself.

The few times he’d caught sight of her, she had always been out of his reach. A temptation dangled before him, teasing him from what others had forbidden him to touch. Her family guarded her virtue as if it were still innocent. He knew no one had learned of his time in her bedchamber. What enflamed his desires the most were the secretive smiles she bestowed on him when she thought no one looked.

He scowled as he watched her family in their private box. Graham Worthington sat at Gemma’s side, playing the consummate gentleman, flirting with her. Ralston curled his hands into fists. He had hoped the rumors were false. However, the sight before him proved otherwise. Over the course of their meetings this week, Worth had never once mentioned his courtship of Gemma. Instead, he’d discovered the deception in the betting books at White’s. There were a variety of other bets placed on Worthington and Gemma’s courtship. Everything from their first kiss to the proposal to the actual wedding itself.

When he settled into his own box, Ralston made eye contact with Gemma. Guilt racked her gaze. At her expression, it felt liked she punched him in the gut. It took his breath away. He never took his gaze off her, and she refused to glance his way again. Instead, she treated him to her enjoyment of having Worth as a companion. The traitors. Did she seek revenge because he made love to her and never offered for her hand? Was this her way of securing a groom in case her uncle learned of her lost innocence?

Either way, he deserved an explanation, one he would take before the evening ended.

For now, he needed to focus on his assignment and not on the tempting blonde who unraveled his sanity with each of her throaty chuckles. Instead, he planned to charm Lady Langdale when she arrived. Ralston walked a fine line on ruining any attempt to gain the coin Colebourne demanded. However, after learning some recent information this afternoon, he would secure his offer with the lovely widow.

At least his parents wouldn’t join them in the box this evening. His father had left town to visit the ducal estate, and his mother had remained at home to spend time with his sisters. He should pay them a visit this week. He missed their silly faces.

Lady Langdale swept into the box with a dramatic flair. A hush fell over the theatre when he stood up to greet her and usher her into a seat. He waved a hand for the servant to open the bottle of champagne.

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