Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(36)

Still his eyes held hers. “Tell me more.”

“I am captured and refuse to tell my secrets, but the lieutenant is most persistent.”

“Oh.” Colton’s eyes had taken on a strange glow. “And?”

It was so hard to say these things, even when there was not much to say. “I am tied up. I have no control. The room is dark, but I know he is there. I can feel him walking about me, watching me, waiting. My whole body is tight and nervous. I know he is going to do things to me. I know he is going to try everything to make me talk. I bite my lips, determined to hold them still, but I feel…I don’t know exactly what I feel, but I know he will begin soon. I can feel my heart racing. I want to run and yet I feel so secure there in my bonds. I should be frightened, and I am, but mostly I am waiting.”

“And then?” He leaned farther across the desk, the finger on her chin tracing a light pattern.

His eyes held her, made her see the whole dream in her mind, made her want to…“And then I wake up. I do want to tell you more, but always just as the lieutenant steps from the dark, just as I know that things are about to happen, I awake. And I can feel myself caught there on the edge but unable to go farther.”

Colton’s hand dropped and he leaned back. “That will do for a start,” he said softly. “But I want you to think of any other dreams you have had.”

“Well, it is not a dream, but…”

“Yes?”

“My friend told me that there is a room here that looks like something from The Arabian Nights. We read it together, which is probably why she told me at all. She would tell me nothing else, except that I should talk to Madame Rouge.”

“And you would like to see this room?”

Now her eyes did lower. “Yes.”

“You have given me much to think about—and I will keep your previous preferences in mind. I shall do nothing yet to endanger your virginity.” He rose from the desk. “Do you have a carriage waiting again?”

That was all? She had been sure that he did intend more than talk.

A smile flickered across his lips. “Don’t worry, my angel. I will not disappoint. I just need time to decide how to proceed. Why don’t you hurry home and I will talk to Ruby about our next step.”

“How will I know when to meet you?”

“Do you ride?”

“Yes, although I am not a brilliant horsewoman.”

“But adequate?”

“Most definitely.”

“Then meet me tomorrow morning in the park again, and we can ride and talk.”

“That will not be convenient.”

He stared at her, waiting for her to explain.

“I do not have a mount in the city, and I am sure my father would not let me ride his. And even if he did, I do not have a maid who could escort me. Perhaps we could walk. Or meet by the ducks as we used to.”

“I am in the mood for a ride, and you do want to please me, don’t you?” His brows drew tight. “Let it be the day after, then, and I will send both mount and escort. Is that acceptable?”

“I suppose.” She was sure he could see her doubt: Having him loan her a mount didn’t seem as if it would cause any less comment.

“Then go.”

“But…” As she rose to standing, she realized that her body wanted far more than to go home to her lonely bed. She came around the desk and started to move toward him. Surely he could be tempted. She tried to breathe in fully, to push her breasts toward him.

“No.” He held a hand out. “You must learn some patience.” But then he leaned closer, his breath whispering about her ear. “You did like it when your dream lieutenant kept you waiting and wondering, did you not? Go home, and when you are in your bed tonight let your hands glide over your body and think just what it is that you want him to do to you—I will ask for your report. And you can be assured that I will be thinking of you and what you are doing. Now go.”

Pulling her hood up, she hurriedly opened the door and strode into the hall, only to collide with a broad male chest.

The breath rushed out of her, even as the hood she had half up fell back, leaving her gazing into the dark, brooding eyes of the Marquess of Swanston.

She stared for a single second, feeling horror fill her, although his expression changed not in the slightest. Then, yanking her hood into position, she fled into the night, hearing the clattering steps of an accompanying footman racing to catch her.





Chapter 10


“The house party begins this Saturday? Why did you not say so?” Angela glanced at her mother with a strong sense of foreboding. She had not been happy about the party to begin with, but it had seemed far off in the future, not something that she must prepare herself for immediately. And now that Swanston had seen her face, who knew what could happen—although perhaps he had not recognized her. That was not unlikely. He had never known her as more than one in a crowd.

“I am sure I did, dear. You probably were not listening,” her mother replied, before turning to instruct the maid on what needed to be packed.

Angela was equally sure that she had been. She might not always listen as intently as possible to her mother’s ramblings, but she would not have missed something as important as the fact that they were leaving in a few days. And what of Colton? Did he know Swanston had seen her? And how could they possibly proceed if she was not going to be in Town? At least she would be seeing him tomorrow morning and would have the chance to explain the matter to him. “And how long will we be staying at Lady Perse’s? Did you tell me that?”