Page 50 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
“No, I will not.”
She pressed a hand to her heart. “When my father returns...” Her head dropped.
“What do you hear about Captain Kingsley?” Bink asked the banker.
Of course—a banker who funded merchants and seamen would have his ear to the ground on such matters.
“Probably no more than what you’ve discovered. Captain Llewellyn reported him dead in a storm off Tortuga. He’s come up to town. I expect a visit in a day or two.”
“Captain Llewellyn made the report? He’s in London?” Excitement percolated through Graciela, sending an answering rush of emotion in him.
A sea captain who was her father’s friend? If she thought to run off and join the man, she would have to knock Charley out of the way first.
“Where is Llewellyn staying?” Charley asked.
“I’ll ask my clerk. Excuse me.”
He stood. Bink did also, and caught Charley’s eye. “I’ll go with you and hear what he has to say.”
When the door had closed, she stood and tried to pull her hand away.
He held on and snatched up her other hand, rising with her.
Her gaze swept the floor. “I do not wish to marry either,” she said. “I’m very sorry but it seemed the best tactic. I could not very well announce my engagement to your brother, Mr. Gibson.”
“So, my father has given his permission?”
“Perhaps he will withdraw it.” She looked away. “Or you may cast me off.”
“My father would not withdraw permission, nor would I cast you off,” he said sternly. “How could you presume it? It would be dishonorable of us.”
Her head jerked up, concern in her eyes. “You are angry? But you must not be. I will make sail with Captain Llewellyn and you will be free.”
“Unless I come along.”
Her eyes flashed. “You must not come. Your life is here. Your family—your brothers, and your sister, and your father who is ill.”
“And your father will be looking for you here, Graciela.” He stepped closer.
“I will release you and go and look for him. This engagement was just a ploy.”
His nerves prickled at the challenge. Just a ploy, was it?
He cupped her chin and lifted it. “You are playing with my heart?”
She had begun to tremble and her breathing quickened.
When he claimed her lips and cradled the back of her head, she didn’t pull away, didn’t resist. She allowed the kiss, allowed him to ravish her with his lips and his tongue, her arms reaching for him, her hands tangling in his hair. He grasped her hips and pulled her closer, trailing kisses.
“You have no heart,” she mumbled, her lips vibrating along his jaw.
Stark need erupted in him.Because you have stolen it.
He’d never say it—she wouldn’t believe him, but heneededher. Needed to keep her alive, needed to save her from Carvelle, needed to be inside her. His shaft strained the contours of his trousers, while her touch scorched him, at his neck, along his shoulder, under his coat. She pressed against him, head back, lips open, ready to receive whatever he could give, as if she needed him as well.
The flat surface of the desk, the one file spread over it, caught his eye, and beckoned.
The file. He should peruse the file. His mission...a Spanish woman...it might contain...
