[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.As reason returned, she somehow summoned the strength to pull back.“Like most men, Sheffield lusted after what he did not already have.”His heavy-lidded eyes narrowed even more.“You think I planned to seduce you?”Ciara didn’t know what to think.Or feel.“And if I did, is that so very bad? It seems to me that you have experienced very little pleasure in your life.”Confused, she sought release from the weight of his presence.“My personal life is none of your concern.”He did not object as she pressed her fists to his chest and gave a little shove.His grip slipped away and he stepped back, watching in silence as she smoothed her skirts.The loss of his heat left a dull ache imprinted on her flesh.“I—I must ask you to leave, Lord Hadley.And to take your papers with you.” Like her fingers, her voice was now stiff with embarrassment.“I granted your wish—you have had the chance to state your desire.” She drew in a breath.“It was, to be sure, an eloquent performance.But I have decided to say no to your request.”His gaze turned opaque, his expression hardened, betraying no emotion save for a sardonic curl at the corners of his mouth.“You have not yet heard the rest of the details about the manuscript.”“Whatever they are, I am not interested.”“Where is your sense of adventure, Lady Sheffield? I thought all scientists were excited by the possibility of new discoveries.”Ciara looked away, appalled by her lapse in judgment.“It is not really my field of study,” she lied.“Your uncle will have no trouble finding someone else.”“He wanted you.”Her hands fisted in the folds of her skirts.“Well, we all must learn to live with disappointment in our lives.”The earl acknowledged his dismissal with a slow, mocking gesture at the row of instruments aligned on the table.“A strange sentiment for someone who clearly has a passion for exploring the unknown.”She bit at her lip, unwilling to admit the truth of his words.“You may want to add an observation to your laboratory journal.” He retrieved his overcoat but made no move to pick up the manuscript as he turned for the door.“Even the most carefully controlled experiments can have unpredictable results.I will keep my word—for today.But be advised that you haven’t seen the last of me.”Chapter FourDismissed.Given his congé.Rather than dull the prick to his pride, Lucas found that the walk to White’s only honed his temper to a more dangerous edge.Tossing his overcoat to a club porter, he stalked into the reading room and signaled for a bottle of brandy.Lady Sheffield was right.He wasn’t used to taking no for an answer, especially from a female.He had become accustomed to having the opposite sex beg for a favor, rather than the other way around.Bloody hell.Swearing under his breath, he slouched into one of the chairs by the hearth and stared at the dancing flames.The tiny, teasing tongues seemed a mocking reflection of the heat still lingering in his limbs.Hiss.Crackle.Snap.Was there smoke coming out of his ears?Two quick drinks finally cooled his fury.By the third, Lucas was in a more reflective mood.The fire-gold flickers now seemed to sway in unison—wagging, scolding fingers of conscience.Had he behaved badly with Lady Sheffield? The urge to kiss her had been irresistible—and he wasn’t very good at self-discipline or denying himself what he wanted.But intriguingly enough, despite her protests, she hadn’t been averse to his attentions.Indeed, her words had said one thing, but her body had said quite another.Lucas pursed his lips and set his glass down.An experienced rake should have no trouble charming an unworldly widow into granting him a favor.However, to do so he would need another meeting.And by now Lady Sheffield had likely nailed every door and window shut.She was smart… so he would have to be exceedingly clever.But no matter how hard he thought on it, his mind remained blank.Damn.He looked around, desperately searching for some familiar face to distract him from his dark musings.But none of his rakehell friends were present—with his closest comrades-in-mayhem still rusticating in country, their ranks were a bit thin.The only other person in the room was a sober, serious-looking gentleman who was reading the newspaper as he smoked a cheroot.Lucas cleared his throat.Even stuffy Lord Brewster was better company than his own thoughts.“Any fresh news from Russia?” he asked.“General Kutusov may be old, fat, and blind in one eye, but it seems he has Boney in full retreat.” Brewster turned the page with a low snort.“Now, if our navy can keep the French fleet bottled up, we may have a chance to end this interminable war.”“Indeed,” murmured Lucas.“Speaking of water…” The viscount cocked a bushy brow.“Thought you had sailed out of Town until the outrage over your latest escapade had a chance to blow over.”“A pressing family matter required my return,” he replied tersely.“Hmmph.” Brewster pulled a face.“Well, at least you aren’t expected to show your phiz at Lady Becton’s soirée this evening.Don’t know why my wife insists that I attend.The guest list always includes a gaggle of eccentric old ladies who share the dowager’s interest in art and science.” The newsprint crackled.“Perhaps if I got written up for cavorting with a naked whore, I could get banished to the country for the duration of the Season.Just think of it—hounds, horses, hunting.” The viscount sighed and blew out a plume of smoke.“Heaven.”Somehow, his recent prank no longer seemed so uproariously funny.Lucas slouched a little lower in his chair.“Yes, but there might be hell to pay.I’ve been told that wives don’t find that sort of behavior amusing.Which is one of the reasons why I don’t have one.”“Smart man,” growled Brewster.“I fear you are right.I have little choice but to suffer through a long evening of music and learned conversation.The only saving grace is that the lady serves a very decent claret.” The baron rose and set the newspaper aside.“Enjoy your devil-may-care freedom while you can.”Lucas feigned a smile, but he wasn’t feeling overly smart at the moment.In retrospect, he should not have allowed lust to overpower reason in dealing with Lady Sheffield [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]