Page 14 of Stolen By the Rogue
Damn. She is too bloody lovely. And I am going to break this poor girl’s heart.
But the thought that he was more than likely going to hurt Jane was still not enough for George to throw his plans away.
I want that crown.
Chapter Eight
It took all of Jane’s strength not to shove the last of the straggling visitors out the front door of the embassy the following evening. The guard was about to close the door when she stopped him. “I have a friend arriving any minute now. Could you please wait until he is here?”
“Of course, Miss Scott.”
She quickly turned on her heel and headed toward the display room. The ambassador was just placing the crown in its secure box when she arrived. “What a long night. I was beginning to think those people would never leave.”
The ambassador nodded in the direction of the entrance, and heat raced to her cheeks as George walked into the room.
He bowed to them both before addressing Jane. “Good evening, Miss Scott. Will you be ready to leave soon?”
Doing her best to ignore the warmth on her face, Jane bowed to the ambassador. “Sana iyi aksamlar diliyorum.”
“And a good evening to you also, Miss Scott,” he replied.
Once they were outside the embassy, George offered Jane his arm, and they headed down the path that ran along the riverbank.
“The ambassador seems a good man. Though I do find it interesting that he is dressed in an English suit, rather than the traditional attire of his country,” he said.
She nodded. “Yes. Mahmud the Second is looking to move his realm forward into the modern world. From what I understand, he plans to continue making extensive reforms throughout the Ottoman empire. Not that it hasn’t been without its challenges or opposition. Having his foreign representatives dress like the men of their host countries is apparently all part of the plan.”
They continued on along the Strand, eventually making their way to a small tavern close to the water’s edge. It was neat and cozy. The moment they set foot through the door, George waved to the innkeeper and the man pointed to a booth at the back.
George slipped his hand in hers and guided Jane to an out-of-the-way, private table.
“I come here a bit, so the owner knows me,” he explained.
Jane unbuttoned her coat and slid into the booth. After taking the seat opposite to hers, George waved over a tavern maid.
“Good evening, Mister Hawkins,” she said, giving him a welcoming smile.
“Good evening. Could we please get a bottle of your good burgundy and two glasses? Oh, and a platter of supper things too. Thank you, Sarah,” he said.
Jane found herself smiling at his easygoing nature. George Hawkins might well be the friend of lords and ladies, but he had a calm, comfortable way with people of all social classes. The barmaid certainly appeared to find him attractive.
I see I am not the only one who feels a little strange around him. Sarah clearly likes him too.
Jane waited until the tavern maid had left before finally daring to meet George’s gaze. Her pulse quickened when he flashed a saucy little grin her way.
She liked what being this close to George did to her body. He stirred sensations in her most secret of places and created a quiet yearning for his touch.
I wonder what sort of lover you would be with a woman like me. How adventurous could you make our time in bed? And would you ever let me take the lead?
* * *
He would give one hundred guineas for her thoughts. If the steamy look Jane was giving him across the table was anything to go by, George secretly imagined that her mind was filled with wicked, sexy ideas. But if she had the slightest inkling as to what biting on her bottom lip was doing to his hardening cock, she was keeping it to herself.
As far as you are concerned, she is an unwed woman and therefore out of reach. You don’t meddle with innocents. She is also the person who stands between you and Baldwin’s crown.
Though, if Jane climbed across the table and took him firmly in hand this very second, George might be tempted to give it all up. He could just picture her naked and beneath him.
“Here we are.”
