Page 47 of The Last Chance
But every beast had a weakness.
Miss Lovelace turned to him, her eyes seeking his before making her heartfelt plea. “Please, Mr Chance. I sense danger ahead and beg that you err on the side of caution. Just this once. For me.”
The power of the last two words rendered him speechless. They stripped him bare, exposing what lay beneath his stony facade.
He would do anything for her.
Anything that did not involve his kin.
That was the root of his problem. A problem he had tried to fix with his beastly moods and gruff temper. But his mind and body betrayed him at every given turn. And so, he nodded and surrendered to her persuasive power, just as he had last night.
Chapter Ten
Joanna stared at herself in the looking glass, smoothing her hands over the blue silk gown and grinning like she had found hidden treasure. The bodice hugged her like a second skin, accentuating her slender waist before spilling into a voluminous skirt. She had never looked so frivolous, so feminine, so carefree.
Confidence stirred within her.
She barely recognised the sensual woman smiling back.
The last ten years had taken its toll, a decade marred by loss. Loss of family and fortune. Loss of her dignity and virginity. It’s why she fought to make The Burnished Jade a success, why she couldn’t afford to worry about her reputation. Such things mattered to the privileged. It did not matter to her.
She twirled before the tall mirror, a chuckle escaping.
What would Mr Chance think?
She never dressed to rouse a man’s interest. She had never cared to see desire burning in a man’s eyes, yet her stomach performed somersaults as she anticipated his reaction. Anger always flared first, but would his passions betray him?
There was more to admire than her womanly silhouette. Thesleeves fell gracefully off her shoulders. The sweeping décolletage exposed the upper swell of her breasts. One firm tug and they would spill out. She trailed her fingers over her bare flesh where she longed to feel Mr Chance’s hot mouth.
“Madame,” Eloise began a little breathlessly, “you look so beautiful. It will not matter that Mr Chance had an extra helping of dessert. He will still stare at you like he is starving.”
Joanna’s heart skittered.
Two nights ago, she had caught more than a glimpse of the hungry man. Mr Chance had devoured her mouth with a passion that belied his cool mien.
“Thank you for staying late and styling my hair.” Joanna touched the black velvet ribbon around her neck, the choker that added a touch of mystery. “And for trusting me enough to reveal Mr Chance’s secret. It’s helping me see his true nature, who he really is inside.”
A kind, tortured man, though no less dangerous.
“Mr Chance has been different today. Forgetful. Troubled. Baptiste, he thinks it is odd.” Eloise looked at her with glowing admiration. “But I know you are feeding a feeling inside him. He will want you tonight more than ever.”
“What if attending the party is too much for him?” Would he retreat to his lonely lair if forced to lower his guard?
She had to tread carefully.
He had to instigate their next kiss.
If there was to be one.
“There is no need to worry. Enjoy yourself.” Eloise drew Joanna to the stool and encouraged her to sit. “A bold white feather in the hair adds a certain playfulness.” She slid the feather into Joanna’s hair, then pressed a false mole to her cheek. “The patch will draw his attention to your mouth. A woman must use such ploys to attract a stubborn man,non?”
It was all too much. Joanna might have objected—Mr Chance disliked artifice, and she wanted to explore theirfeelings, not win his favour—but if they were to mingle with the demimonde, the more vivacious she looked, the better.
Joanna stood and hugged Eloise. Living alone made one appreciate every kindness. “Wish me luck.”
“You do not need luck.” Eloise clasped Joanna’s hands. “You are everything he wants and more.”
Aware she was running a little late, Joanna snatched her mask and cloak and hurried to meet Mr Chance in the hall.
