Bride for a Night(57)

His gaze flicked with chilling indifference down her slender body, seemingly disinterested in the perfection of her curves.

“You are either here in the hopes of seducing information from me or in an effort to lure me from my wife.” His gaze snapped back to her face. “Both of which are doomed to failure.”

She couldn’t curb the stab of bitterness. “Non, I could never hope to lure a gentleman from the bewitching allure of the Countess of Ashcombe.”

“What do you know of my wife?” he growled.

“I know that she cannot be allowed to remain here.”

He frowned, caught off guard by her simple words. “Who the devil are you?”

“Sophia Reynard.”

“Sophia.” He slowly tested her name on his lips. “Why is that so familiar?”

Her chin tilted with pride. “Before my retirement I was considered one of the finest actresses in Paris.”

“Ah, yes.” Frigid recognition flared through his eyes. “You were a companion to Napoleon.”

Sophia rolled her eyes. No matter what her success upon the stage had been she would always be renowned for her powerful lovers, never for her considerable skill as an actress.

Such a pity men were allowed to rule the world.

“That is all in the past,” she informed him.

“Then why are you at this palace?”

“I should think that would be rather obvious to such a worldly gentleman,” she said dryly.

“Good God.” He grimaced. “Jacques Gerard?”

“Oui. He is handsome and charming and a magnifique lover. More important, he is a skillful leader who is destined for greatness.”

Lord Ashcombe shrugged. “Only if Napoleon succeeds.”

“Which he must do,” she said, her voice thick with sincerity. “And to accomplish his victory he has need of Jacques.”

He studied her for a long, unnerving moment. Then slowly he stepped back, although Sophia was not foolish enough to believe he would allow her to escape, even if she desired to.

“Why did you seek me out?”

She smoothed a nervous hand down the silk of her gown. “Since Jacques’s return to France I find myself growing concerned.”

“So you should,” he taunted. “He is a treacherous bastard who should be delivered to the guillotine with all possible haste.”

“My concern is that he is being distracted from his responsibility.”

“If you have no desire for him to be distracted then perhaps you should consider leaving the palace.”


Her lips twisted in a smile of self-derision. “Much to my dismay I find that I am not the distraction, my lord.” She met his gaze squarely. “It is your wife.”

CHAPTER TEN



STANDING SO HE COULD keep an eye on both his unexpected intruder and the door, Gabriel narrowed his gaze and resisted the urge to throttle Sophia Reynard.

There was no doubt the female was a stunning beauty.

Her silky hair and dark eyes set against the pale alabaster of her skin gave her an exotic air that would make any man think of warm nights and satin sheets.

But Gabriel had never been a gentleman who allowed himself to be led by his cock.

So far the female had attempted to distract him with a peek of her bosom and a few seductive smiles. Now obviously she had turned her tactics to insulting his wife and attempting to make him question her honor.

“Be very careful what you imply, Sophia,” he rasped.

Her mouth tightened with something that might have been resentment.