Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(20)

Thorton kept his gaze locked on her. “You should be more careful.”

“I will,” she whispered, trying to keep her voice low.

“Are you looking for someone?” he asked.

How did she answer that? She lowered her head, so that she could see nothing but a square foot of floor. “I know where I am going.”

“Are you sure you don’t want some company?”

If he was heading downstairs, did that mean he’d already been with somebody? She would have thought that was how it worked.

“I am fine.” She tried to step forward, but his hand came down on her arm, stopping her.

“Do we know each other?” He leaned toward her, his voice insistent.

She tried to pull away, being sure not to let the hood slip. “Let me go.”

“Answer my question.”

“I am sure we don’t.” She pulled harder.

“You seem quite familiar.”

“No.”

“What is your name?”

“I am quite sure you’re not supposed to ask that.”

“Ahh, a woman who knows the rules. I do like that.” His fingers bit deeper into her arm.

A sense of panic took her.

“Excuse me, madam. I believe I am expected to show you to your room. I did not realize you had strayed behind.” The porter returned to the top of the stairs.

Relief.

Lord Thorton’s fingers bit tight once more, then relaxed. His hand fell to his side, and without another word he continued down the stairs.

She hurried up the last few steps to the porter and let him lead her down the hall. They turned one corner, and then he paused before a closed door.

“Are you sure you wish to do this?” he asked.

Her mouth gaped, although she knew he could not see. Was he trying to dissuade her? Surely that was not part of his employment.

“Yes, I am sure,” she answered, her voice full of far more conviction than she felt.

“Very well.” He rapped upon the door and, hearing a reply from within, gestured for her to slip through.

Refusing to give in to the butterflies that massed and circled in her abdomen, she took that step, reminding herself of all the possibilities. Yes, she felt fear, but what of all the other things she felt, what about that sense of anticipation and wonder? If Colton could make her feel so much in a public garden, what might happen now that they were alone? No, that was not the way to think. Think of the game, think only of the game. Think of winning, of claiming her victory.

—

Angela had come—assuming that was Angela beneath the enveloping cloak. He hadn’t been sure that she would. In fact, he had rather thought that she would not, hoped she would not. It was hard to believe that she had thought this out. Why would any man marry a woman once he had had her? Well, there were reasons, money among them, but men sought a virgin on their wedding night. No man wanted a wife who was easily seduced or, in the case of Angela, one who attempted to do the seducing.

Could she be telling the truth? Could she want nothing more than him?

He did understand the need to explore forbidden desire. Could this be nothing more than that?

His body could certainly understand such motivation, but his instincts still cautioned him.

She inched farther into the room, letting the door shut behind her. The heavy cloak covered her, the hood so deep and full he had trouble believing she could see at all.

She stood still for a moment, then pushed the hood back, strands of blond hair trying to cling as it fell. He locked his eyes on her face, her bright eyes showing an edge of fear. The pulse in the side of her neck beat fast, despite the calm steadiness of her step. He resisted the urge to smile. She didn’t want him to know that she was anxious.

He saw her excitement as well: the wide pupils, the flush on her cheeks.

Remembering how much enjoyment she’d taken in their risky play the other night, he had to shift his weight, wishing his pants were looser.

Her lips parted, a fast quick breath escaping and then another pulled in. Her eyes stayed on his as she walked toward him.

“You came,” the needless words slipped from his lips.

“Yes. I admit that I considered hiding away, but this is what I want, and I learned as a child that you must work for what you want.” She stopped about two feet away from him.

“And you are willing to work?”

“Have I not already proved that?”

“You definitely proved something.” The urge took him to run a finger down her cheek, but he fought it off. He was forgetting his purpose here this evening. He needed to ensure that she had no desire to continue this game. It was not suitable for a young lady of her position. He did not want to be responsible for the ruin of anyone, and certainly not of a woman he had once, if mistakenly, thought he felt strong emotion for.

No. He needed to be sure she fled this place, never to return, and that she never played these games again—not with anyone.

It was the decision he had reached soon after he told her to meet him here. Somehow he had to push her so far that she could not continue. She had said she would do anything, and he would see if she meant it.

She took a step closer. He could smell her perfume: roses and spice. When he had been courting her, she had always smelled of lily of the valley. Somehow the scent demonstrated a change far greater than he wanted to think about. He had to succeed. He had to send her running back to her parents and the safety of society.