Page 27 of Heart of Iron
“I’ve safe passage for the night.”
“Why?”A look of concern crossed her face and she took his arm, her gloved fingers resting on his sleeve.“Don’t trust them.Don’t let them mix you up in their schemes.If there’s a way around whatever they’ve promised, they’ll find it.”
Curious words from a woman who had dreamed of living amongst the Echelon for years.
He looked at the small hand resting on his arm.And realized that they were alone, in a darkened room together.
Will’s gaze slid to the low scoop of her neckline and the full curve of her breasts.Moonlight glimmered through the curtains, casting a silvery sheen across her flesh.She was beautiful.A goddess of the night, limned by silvery light.Each curve of shadow beckoned him mysteriously, dared him to put his hands on her, to trace the dips and curves that filled out her gown.Christ.His cock hardened, straining against the fabric of his breeches.He could almost taste the warm perfume of her skin.
Taking a step back, he shook her hand off.“You owe me some answers.”
“I don’t have time.Not at the moment.”
He grabbed her wrist, stroked his thumb across the sensitive skin.“Then make it.”
She staggered into him, her other hand resting lightly against his chest.Something must have shown on his face, for she sucked in a deep breath.“Please, Will.Not now.There’s something I must take care of.”
“Course there is.”
“You don’t understand.I have to find my friend.I think she might be in trouble.”
Her scent changed.Something bitter and sharp.Fear.Will let her go, staring down into that heart-shaped face.“What kind of trouble?”
“There’s a…a game the blue blood’s play.If they get a girl alone.”She rubbed at her wrist unconsciously.
“Go on.”
“Adele would never have left willingly.She knows the consequences.Please, I have to find her.Before it’s too late.”
“You’re not goin’ alone.”
“If anyone sees me with you—”
She’d be ruined.He was half tempted for a moment.She’d never be able to return to this world with the stigma of being caught alone with a verwulfen.
But she’d made her choices.This was the world she wanted.There was nothing for her in Whitechapel; she’d said so herself.
He leaned closer, let his voice whisper over her ear.“Then they won’t see me.But I’ll be there.”
It might have been his imagination, but he thought, for a moment, that she shivered.
***
The strains of a waltz floated from the ballroom as Barrons climbed the stairs.He’d hoped to catch a chance to talk to Will before he left, but the man had vanished.
Glancing down one of the hallways as he crossed it, he saw the sweep of aubergine skirts and the beguiling hint of coppery hair vanishing into a room.
He stopped in his tracks.
Interesting.
The waltz beckoned.Laughter loomed.But somehow his feet turned down the corridor.
Slipping silently through the door, Leo found himself in a shadowed parlor.Moonlight streamed through the windows, highlighting the Duchess of Casavian’s gleaming hair.She peered through a connecting doorway, her head cocked as if listening.
“Looking for something?”
The words tore a gasp from her lips.She spun, eyes glittering coldly.
