Page 54 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘Not if there’s something I wish to know.’
‘We were in Salamanca. Moore thought the Spanish defeated and planned to retreat. We were ambushed by a raiding party.’ He shrugged. ‘I was one of the fortunate ones that day and came away with just this scratch.’
She deposited a line of gentle kisses along the path of the scar. The touch of her lips was softer than a butterfly’s wing, sending shivers of expectation through his body. ‘Your mother doesn’t know?’
‘No, and I’d prefer it to remain that way.’
Florentina giggled. ‘I could hardly tell her.’
‘True.’
‘You and I must have been in the same location at the same time,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘I was in a small village not far from Salamanca when Moore was planning his retreat. I had to link up with some of our people in that village to gain information about locals suspected of passing information to the French.’
‘I thought you said you were never in danger areas.’
She nodded at his scar. ‘Compared to you, I wasn’t. Just a few inches to the right,’ she said softly, ‘and you and I wouldn’t be having this conversation.’
Her deeply sympathetic expression, the smouldering luminescence in her eyes, caused Adam to abandon his half-hearted attempts at restraint. Just looking at her, sitting naked on his lap and nibbling abstractedly at her index finger, was enough to arouse him to the point where he could no longer think straight. With a smothered oath, he captured her lips in a searing kiss of deep intensity, his swirling tongue conducting lightning forays into her mouth as he ruthlessly branded her as his own.
‘Florentina,’ he said huskily, releasing her. ‘I think it only fair to warn you that if you insist upon looking at me with such compassion in your eyes, I won’t be responsible for the consequences.’
She giggled and then blushed. ‘Perhaps I enjoy the consequences.’
He growled at her. ‘Be careful what you wish for, wench!’
‘Surely there must be a way to make King admit what he did,’ she said, somewhat breathlessly. ‘I should have thought he wouldn’t be able to resist boasting about it.’
‘He enjoys the secret power he now wields over us too much to risk doing anything foolhardy. He also now has access to the Court, thanks to Philippa. He was never welcome here before. And worse, if I’m banished because I don’t do what Philippa requires of me, my mother will be left unprotected and exposed to the likes of King.’ He frowned. ‘I can’t allow that to happen. There has to be another way.’
Florentina glanced out the window and cried out in alarm. The darkness was giving way to the misty grey light of dawn.
‘I must go!’
‘Not yet.’ He pulled her back toward him. ‘I want you again first.’
‘Adam, we can’t. There’s not enough time.’
‘There’s always time.’
And he set about proving it.
By the time he escorted her back to the dower house, it was almost completely light. Only after he’d seen her disappear inside did he realise that not only had she not opened up to him, as he’d hoped, but she’d also failed to give her word that she wouldn’t do anything rash in respect of Dawson.
Chapter Thirteen
Florentina was daydreaming about Adam the next afternoon as she drove back to the dower house, having attended to the refugees. Once again Lord King blocked her path. She gulped back her fear, drew rein and waited for him to address her. The wait was a short one.
‘Mrs Grantley.’ He removed his hat and sketched an elegant bow from atop his horse. Florentina made no response. ‘I come to enquire what decision you’ve made about my little entertainment?’
‘You already have my answer.’ She inverted her chin. ‘I will not go anywhere near it.’
‘Don’t be so hasty, my dear. Are you not just a little curious?’ His eyes roved over her body as he smacked his lips together in greedy anticipation. ‘My entertainments are famous for their diversity, and I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.’
‘I will not be since I shall not be there.’
He seemed agitated by her resistance. ‘Don’t be such a fool! I can be an advantageous ally but a very dangerous enemy.’ He gave a protracted sigh that was probably supposed to seem regretful. ‘If you don’t oblige me I shall have to inform the dowager duchess of your connection to Chamberleigh.’
‘She would never believe you.’ But Florentina could tell from his implacable expression that he would carry through with his threat, if only out of spite.
