Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(6)

He laughed, and not in a pleasant way, not in the way he used to laugh, the laugh that had always made her heart sing. She had worked so hard for that laugh, for the pleasure of making him happy.

One last try. “I talked to Madame Rouge about you. She explained to me what you like, why you might be reluctant to pursue me.”

He stepped forward, his silhouette once again visible. “You talked to Madame Rouge?”

“Yes, I found her most delightful. And she loaned me this gown. She said it would be far more to your taste than sprigged muslin. Was she right?” She brushed her hands down the front and then gave a little twirl, causing the fabric to billow in the slight wind, the skirts rising about her.

“It is a pretty dress.”

That was rather uninspired, but at least it was the start of something remotely positive. “I am not sure the ladies inside think so—and they don’t even know the most scandalous part: I am wearing it without a corset. Madame said she thought the lines would be better without. I always thought the purpose of a corset was to correct my lines, but I must admit I rather like the feeling without. It is so freeing.” She leaned slightly forward.

She could feel his eyes follow.

Maybe this would not be so hard.

“I am still not sure that I believe you talked to Madame Rouge. Hell, I am surprised you even know the name.”

“Perhaps I am not quite what you believe. I most definitely did visit Ruby. I can describe the parlor or Madame Rouge’s house if you require.”

“Only the parlor? And what advice did Madame Rouge give you that pertains to me? I am not sure I like knowing that she talked about me.”

“Oh dear, the last thing I want is to get Madame in trouble. She was so very, very helpful.” She forced her voice lower, deeper, away from the emotional squeak that threatened.

“I must say that I am not finding it at all helpful so far. Are you going to tell me what she said?”

Angela licked her lips again, trying to form that little pout that Ruby had demonstrated. Her teeth came out, sliding over the lower lip, pressing and then slipping back behind. “She said that I must be prepared to do exactly as you say, that you like to be in charge. She told me that beyond everything I must be prepared to trust you, even when I am not sure that I want to. She kept using that word, ‘trust.’?”

“And do you really think you are prepared for that?” It was hard to read the tone of his voice.

It was time to lie. Time to pretend. Time to be an actress, and she certainly knew he liked actresses. “I am prepared to do anything. I cannot control the feelings that overcome me when I am with you, and so I will do whatever is necessary.” It was far easier to say the words than to believe them.

“Truly anything?”

She ignored the slight ring of disbelief. Another pout. “Yes.”

“And if I want to test that?”

Ruby had warned her that this might be the case. “Test away. I will not fail. I know what I want.” Vengeance.

“Is this a trick? Do you hope that I will lure you into some compromising position and then your mother will suddenly appear?”

“No. But I do not expect you to believe me. Tell me what I must to do to make you show a fraction of the trust I am prepared to show you.” She bit down on her lower lip and turned slightly so the light from the window spread across her face—and the tops of her breasts.

Colton was quiet for a moment, his body stiff.

“I will do anything, anything that you want.” This was her one chance. She ran her hands down her dress again, taking a deep breath in so that her bosom pressed tight against the silk, swelling high at the neckline.

Colton jerked slightly.

Yes, he did like that.

“Show me your breasts, then.” His voice had changed, was almost hoarse.

What? “What?” Had she just squeaked?

“I believe you heard me.” A sudden note of command surrounded him.

“Where? There’s nowhere private.” She knew she’d said she’d do anything, but this…She had not expected this, no matter what Ruby had said. Ruining herself was not vengeance.

“Right here. Right now.”

She must take control. “I’ll do it, but let us find somewhere else.”

“I have no intention of going anywhere private with you; we could be discovered alone together. Here and now.”

“But…”

“You asked for a test, for the chance to prove you would do anything. This is that test.”

“But…”

“Your back is to the party, nobody will see.”

“I can’t.”

“So I thought.” He leaned back against the low wall, crossing his ankles.

And then she understood that he had not really meant it. He had known she would never do it so had set a test that she could not pass—but could she? Could she do this? Was it truly any harder than the other things she’d done for him during the season? Harder than all the times she’d tried to act the perfect lady and ignore what she knew, to ignore that she knew he was not faithful?

Not faithful.

For the first time she sought the memory. Sought to remember. It was why she was here. Why she must not fail.

—

It might have been midsummer, but it had been so chilly standing in the dark of the empty opera house. Her brother had brought her there and deserted her, seeking some opera dancer who’d captured his affections. Felix had promised to be gone for only a few moments, but it had been far longer than that. Oh, she should never have agreed. It was so improper—but also so exciting. Her toes curled with the lure of the forbidden.