Page 29 of No One's Bride
“Ye know what I mean.”
“Yes, but I seek clarification. How far do you fear thissomethingmight go?” The man moistened his lips. “Not all the way, surely?”
“Ye cannae ask an innocent such a question.” For a second, she was back in the study, gazing into his hypnotic eyes, her hard nipples aching against her cotton nightgown. The need to kiss him like a plague on her soul.
Ailsa tugged her hand free and marched into Chadwick’s Auction House. The sooner this matter was over with the better.
Lord Denton was not far behind, but now he had a firm grip on Satan’s casket. Gladys hovered in the background. If a spell could bend a viscount to its will, it would ride roughshod over the maid.
“Wait here while I see if Murden is free.” Lord Denton strode into a room off the hall, where a bespectacled clerk sat behind a cluttered desk.
Grateful for a moment to gather her wits, Ailsa made no protest.
Her peace lasted a few seconds before Lord Brockton saw her and smiled. How odd? While she had danced with the dark-haired gentleman once or twice, they were not on familiar terms.
That did not prevent the man from closing the gap between them and offering a graceful bow. “Good morning, Miss MacTavish. I heard you won More’sUtopiaat auction yesterday. May I congratulate you on your fortitude and excellent purchase?”
Suspicion flared.
Gentlemen rarely gave her compliments.
Gentlemen rarely spoke to her in public.
What was this about?
Ailsa offered a polite reply, then added, “I have an important meeting and willnae keep ye, my lord.”
“Perhaps you’d like to ride in the park tomorrow. Amongst other things, we can discuss our mutual love of literature.”
“Ride together?” she attempted to clarify. Weird didn’t begin to define what was happening here.
Lord Brockton laughed. “Of course.”
It was then she noticed other men watching them intently. Was there a wager in the book at White’s? The first man to seduce a Scot won a thousand pounds and a Derby-winning stallion?
“Sadly, I havenae a free day this week.” She would not be used as a pawn in anyone’s game.
“Then perhaps you might permit me the first dance at Lady Winfield’s ball. I’m told you’ve accepted her invitation and mean to attend with the St Clairs.”
Had this blackguard been snooping into her affairs?
Wickedness was most definitely at play.
Ailsa had mocked Helen’s prediction this morning, yet here was a dark-haired, dashing gentleman keen to pay court. Did that mean the spell worked on all men? Would she be hounded by the male species in the coming days?
On the bright side, that meant she wasn’t destined to marry Lord Denton, and these lustful feelings were all in her head. The thought should have left her sagging in relief.
Oddly, it stirred a more disturbing emotion.
One that felt strangely like regret.
ChapterSix
The clerk stood and said something about Mr Murden, but Sebastian was too busy watching the unfolding scene in the hall to respond with any clarity.
“Yes,” came Sebastian’s curt reply.
What the devil did Lord Brockton want with Miss MacTavish?
