Page 6 of Sweet Siren
She found herself beaming athim.
"That's more like it," he murmured. "I marvel at how beautiful you are when you'rehappy."
Foiled, she glanced at the wedding guests. How could he disarm her like that? "Sir, you mustnot."
"Admireyou?"
"Stop."
"If I admire your laughter and your looks, I cannot help it, mylady."
"Olivia—" she corrected him and mentally kicked herself. She shouldn't humorhim.
"Olivia." He rolled the name around his tongue as if it were a sweet meat. "I likeit."
She beckoned a footman and she placed her empty glass on his tray. She was making a fool of herself, one minute arguing with him, the next eating up his compliments. "I really mustgo."
"Don't. Talk to me. The princess has not returned Camille to us yet. We havetime."
"I should collecther."
He put a hand to her wrist. His long fingers were a warm solid band that set her pulse jumping. "I hope you will attend the Princess's supper party this evening. Doyou?"
"No." Looking at his hold of her, she shook her head. She mustn't come, though she had packed dinner gowns. Three of them. For what? In hope that she'd feel comfortable in Paris? More comfortable here than in London society? Or that she would see this man. Want to be in the same room as this man. Why? To assault him with her accusations? Ridiculous. She was too polite, too worn by years of sadness, too devoid of that fire to confront him with her litany ofwoes.
She loved to dine, converse, and yes, laugh, but usually did not except with clients. Now that she'd seen Hanniford again, talked with him and dueled verbally with him, she understood why her father had warned her that she must never do that.He can seduce you with a trick, a word, agrin.
"We won't attend the supper tonight. My daughter and I return to Londontomorrow."
"Must you go sosoon?"
"I hadn't planned to stay long. Only enough to see Remy happily wed."And yes, I shall admit it to myself, to see you again and reaffirm how handsome, how devilish, how fiendish youare.
His brows knit. "I am in London often. I hope you'll permit me to call on you after I doarrive."
"Thank you, no." She would not wish to be so near to him again. Not wish to be lured from her old hatred of him. Not want him to see her humble house. Small, dark, spare as itwas.
"Then I will invite you to dine with me. With other guests, of course. No one will think it amiss if you join me for a largegathering."
The scene flashed through her brain like golden rain. She’d relish the décor, the guests, the conversation. Him.Oh, if only Icould...
"I like it when you smile at me," he said with a sincerity that had her grinning at him like a Mad Hatter. "Allow me to take youhome."
"No."
"Obstinate woman," he bemoaned. "Then do promise me you will return here for suppertonight."
"I can't."Mustn't. The temptation to seek you out would be tooalluring.
"All right. Instead I will bring dinner toyou."
She laughed, long and hard. "No. You willnot!"
"I'll take a private dining room at the Grand Hotel de la Paix. Have the chef in the Cafe send up fivecourses."
"Ridiculous!"
"Good! Tell me your hotel. I’ll be there to fetch youat—"
"No, sir. Do not!" But she was chuckling, captivated byhim.
He seized her hand and brought it to his lips, supple and enticing on her skin. This time he lingered and when at last he gazed into her eyes, she had no breath. "Dine with me, Olivia. I will show you I am no ogre, but a man of culture andhonor."
"Do you attempt to charm all women with such eloquent declarations?" She tossed her head, loving the thrill of clashing with him—and flirting withhim.
"Only you, Olivia. Onlyyou."
"Thank you, sir. But do not continue. Excuse me, please." Her head high, her heart low, she left him where hestood.
