[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

for
the better. Including mine. And I believe there s good in him, if one looks deep enough.
 I think so, too, Poppy said.  But that s not enough to found a marriage on.
 You mean something to him, Valentine insisted.  He s formed an attachment to you, and I ve
never seen that before. Which is why I don t think anyone in the world can manage him except
for
you.
 Even if that s true, Poppy managed to say,  I don t know if I want to manage him.
 Ma am... Valentine said feelingly,  Someone has to.
Amusement broke through Poppy s distress, and she ducked her head to hide a smile.  I ll
consider
it, she said.  But at the moment I need some time away. What do they call it in the rope ring...?
 A breather, he said, bending to pick up her valise.
 Yes, a breather. Will you help me, Mr. Valentine?
 Of course. Valentine bid her to wait but a few minutes, and went to summon the carriage.
Comprehending the need for discretion, he had the vehicle brought to the back of the hotel,
where
Poppy could depart unobserved.
She felt a pang of regret, leaving the Rutledge and its employees. In no time at all it had become
home... but things could not stay the way they were. Something would have to yield. And that
something or someone, rather was Harry Rutledge.
Valentine returned to escort her to the back entrance. Opening an umbrella to shelter her from the
rain, Valentine guided her outside to the waiting vehicle.
Poppy climbed onto the block step that had been placed beside the carriage, and turned to face
the
valet. With the added height of the step, they stood nearly eye to eye. Raindrops glittered in the
light
from the hotel as they fell in jewel-like strands from the points of the umbrella.
 Mr. Valentine...
 Yes, ma am?
 You do think he ll follow me, don t you?
 Only to the ends of the earth, he said gravely.
That drew a smile from her, and she turned to climb into the carriage.
Chapter Nineteen
It had taken Mrs. Meredith Clifton three months of dedicated pursuit before she had finally
seduced
Leo, Lord Ramsay. Or more accurately, was about to seduce him. As the young and nubile wife
of a
distinguished British naval officer, she was frequently left to her own devices while her husband
was off at sea. Meredith had bedded every man in London worth bedding excluding the
handful of
tiresomely faithful married ones, of course but then she had heard about Ramsay, a man
reputedly
as sexually audacious as herself.
Leo was a man of tantalizing contradictions. He was a handsome man, dark haired and blue
eyed,
with a clean and wholesome appeal... and yet he was rumored to be capable of shocking
debauchery. He was cruel but gentle, callous but perceptive, selfish but charming. And from what
she had heard, he was a vastly accomplished lover.
Now, in Leo s bedroom, Meredith stood quietly while he undressed her. He took his time about
unfastening the row of buttons at her back. Sidling back, she let the backs of her fingers brush his
trousers. The feel of him caused her to purr.
She heard Leo laugh, and he pushed her exploring hand away.  Patience, Meredith.
 You can t know how much I ve anticipated this night.
 That s a shame. I m terrible in bed. Gently he spread her dress open.
She shivered as she felt the exploratory stroke of his fingertips on her upper back.  You re
teasing,
my lord.
 You ll find out soon, won t you? He brushed aside the wisps of hair at her nape and kissed her
there, letting his tongue brush her skin.
That light, erotic touch caused Meredith to gasp.  Are you ever serious about anything? she
managed to ask.
 No. I ve found that life is far kinder to shallow people. Turning her, Leo drew her up against
his
tall, well-muscled frame.
And in one long, slow blaze of a kiss, Meredith realized that she had finally met a predator more
seductive, less inhibited, than anyone she had ever met. His sensual power was no less potent for
being completely devoid of emotion or tenderness. This was pure, unashamed physicality.
Consumed in the kiss, Meredith gave an agitated little cry when he stopped.
 The door, Leo said.
Another tentative knock.
 Ignore it, Meredith said, trying to slide her arms around his lean waist.
 I can t. My servants won t let me ignore them. Believe me, I ve tried. Releasing her, Leo went
to
the door, opened it a crack, and said curtly,  There had better be a fire or a felony in progress, or
I
swear you ll be sacked.
Another murmur from the servant, and Leo s tone changed, the arrogant drawl vanishing.  Good
God. Tell her I ll be down at once. Get her some tea or something. Raking his hand through the
short dark brown layers of his hair, he went to a wardrobe and began to hunt through a row of
jackets.  I m afraid you ll have to ring for a maid to help you dress, Meredith. When you re
ready,
my servants will make certain you re escorted out to your carriage at the back.
Her mouth fell open.  What? Why?
 My sister has arrived unexpectedly. Pausing in his search, Leo threw an apologetic glance over
his
shoulder.  Another time, perhaps?
 Most certainly not, Meredith said indignantly.  Now.
 Impossible. He pulled out a coat and shrugged into it.  My sister needs me.
 I need you! Tell her to return tomorrow. And if you don t send her away, you ll never have
another
chance with me.
Leo smiled.  My loss, I m sure.
His indifference aroused Meredith even further.  Oh Ramsay, please, she said heatedly.  It s
ungentlemanly to leave a lady wanting!
 It s more than ungentlemanly, darling. It s a crime. Leo s face softened as he approached her.
Taking her hand, he lifted it to kiss the backs of her fingers one by one. His eyes glinted with
rueful
amusement.  This is certainly not what I had planned for this evening. My apologies. Let s try
again
someday. Because, Meredith... I m actually not terrible in bed. He kissed her lightly, and smiled
with such skillfully manufactured warmth that she almost believed it was real.
Poppy waited in the small front parlor of the terrace. At the sight of her brother s tall form
entering
the room, she stood and flew to him.  Leo!
He gathered her close. After a brief, hard hug, he held her at arms length. His gaze swept over
her.
 You ve left Rutledge?
 Yes.
 You lasted a week longer than I expected, he said, not unkindly.  What s happened?
 Well, to start with  Poppy tried to sound pragmatic even though her eyes watered.  I m not a
virgin anymore.
Leo gave her a mock-shamed glance.  Neither am I, he confessed.
A reluctant giggle escaped her.
Leo rummaged in his coat for a handkerchief, without success.  Don t cry, darling. I have no
handkerchief, and in any case, virginity is nearly impossible to find once you ve lost it.
 That s not why I m weepy, she said, blotting her wet cheek on his shoulder.  Leo... I m in a
muddle. I need to think about some things. Will you take me to Hampshire?
 I ve been waiting for you to ask.
 I m afraid we ll have to depart immediately. Because if we wait too long, Harry may prevent us
from going at all.
 Sweetheart, the devil himself couldn t stop me from taking you home. That being said... yes,
we ll
go right away. I prefer to avoid confrontation whenever possible. And I doubt Rutledge will take
it
well when he discovers you ve left him. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]