I know my way." Victoria was already
stepping down from the carriage as the
door was opened. She hoped he wouldn't
feel obliged to follow.
" Good night, Vicky," Annabella called
softly." It turned out to be a most
interesting adventure, did it not?"
It certainly did," Victoria replied.
Lucas followed Victoria through the
carriage door." Wait here, Lyndwood," he
instructed over his shoulder." I shall return
as soon as I have escorted our reckless little
dandy back over the garden wall."
Victoria turned toward him in alarm.
There is no need to see me home, my
lord. I assure you, I am perfectly capable
of finding my own way."
I wouldn't hear of it. Miss Huntington."
He must have spotted the new uneasiness
in her because he smiled knowingly.
Excellent," he murmured, grasping her
arm and propelling her into the shadows.
I see you understand me well enough now
to realize that I am not in a good temper. It
is always best not to argue with me when I
am in this mood."
My lord," she began, her chin lifting
imperiously," if you think to hold me
accountable for what happened this even
ing, you can think again."
But I do hold you accountable, Miss
Huntington." He glanced up at the high
stone wall covered with thick ivy." How
do we get inside the garden?"
She tried to retrieve her arm. When he
took no notice of her small struggle, she
gave up and nodded toward the far end
of the walk." There is a way over there."
He hauled her along in the indicated
direction until she pointed out the heavy
vines which concealed a few chinks in the
bricks. Without a word, Victoria wedged
the toe of her boot into the first opening
and grabbed a vine.
Beneath her, Lucas shook his head in
grim disapproval as he watched her climb
the garden wall. Victoria felt awkward and
clumsy under his close scrutiny. She had
not as yet had much practice scaling
garden walls. She could only hope the
fitful moonlight hid the shape of her snugly
clad derriere as she went over the top.
Behind her, Lucas grabbed a trailing bit
of ivy, found the chink in the wall with the
toe of his boot, and followed.
On the other side of the wall, Victoria
dropped lightly to the ground and looked
up to see that Lucas was almost on top
of her. She stepped back quickly as he
dropped down in front of her. She noticed
he took most of his weight on his strong
right leg and did not stumble as he caught
his balance.
My lord," she hissed," y u should
be getting back to the carriage. The
Lyndwoods will be waiting."
I have one or two things to say to
you first." He stood in the midst of
the fragrant, deeply shadowed garden, a
tall, lean, menacing figure as dark and
dangerous as the night.
Victoria summoned up her courage." I
must tell you, stone vale, that I have no
wish to endure a lecture for what happened
this evening. I am already quite aware that
none of us would have been in jeopardy if I
had not insisted upon going to the fair."
In that, Miss Huntington, you are
correct."
The total lack of emotion in his voice
was far more unnerving than a scolding
would have been. But Victoria suddenly
remembered the way he had defended her
in the alley. Impulsively she touched his
sleeve.
I know I am deeply indebted to you, my
lord, but I must tell you quite truthfully
that up until the moment the crowd turned
violent, I was having a fine time. I cannot
remember when I have enjoyed an outing
more." She took a deep breath when there
was no response and rushed on." I would
also have you know, my lord, that I
thought you were quite wonderful. Very
cool under fire, as they say. You got us
free of the mob and I assure you I shall
never forget the way you handled those
two footpads in the alley. For that, my
thanks."
Your thanks," he repeated in a consider
ing tone." I am not certain that is sufficient
reward under the circumstances."
Victoria looked up at him, suddenly
aware that Aunt Cleo's botanical garden
was a very dark and lonely place at this
hour of the night. She wondered for one
awful moment if stone vale was going to
lose his grip on the reins of his temper,
and then she started wondering what she
should do if he did. Belatedly she took a
step back.
My lord?"
No," he said, as if having reached a
conclusion." Your paltry thanks are not
enough for what I have been through and
what I undoubtedly have yet to endure."
Without any warning Lucas's hands
closed around her shoulders, and in one
smooth, swift motion he backed her up
against the garden wall.
Before Victoria could react, Lucas moved
in close, so close that the hard, unforgiving
length of his body pressed against her much
softer frame.
Lucas's booted foot slid between her
legs. Victoria froze for an instant, held
still by the shock of his muscled thigh
alongside her own leg. Her eyes widened
in the moonlight as she looked up into
stone vale's starkly etched face.
You are a hotheaded, reckless hoyden; a
little shrew who is badly in need of taming
before she lands in serious trouble. If I had
any sense, I would end this here and now,"
Lucas rasped.
Victoria licked her dry lips." End what,
my lord?"
This." His mouth came down on hers
with a fierce, plundering heat that made
her fully aware, at last, of the true extent
of his dangerous mood.
She had been prepared for his anger but
nothing could have readied her for the
masculine arousal that poured over her in
a searing conflagration.
stone vale wanted her.
Victoria was momentarily stunned by the
sensual assault. She had been kissed a few
times by daring or desperate suitors and
once or twice because her own curiosity
had gotten the better of her. But she had
never known anything like the rough, deep,
demanding kiss that held her now.
She trembled and her fingers clenched
around Lucas's upper arms. He responded
with a husky groan and then he was
crushing her into the ivy, his thigh forcing
her legs further apart. Victoria felt the small
jabs of the vines and inhaled the fragrance
of crumpled leaves and the musky scent of
<
br /> Lucas's body. Her head spun as if she were
being whirled about on a dance floor.
When she felt Lucas's tongue slide along
her lower lip, she opened her mouth for
him in the same instinctive, unquestioning
manner in which she had earlier followed
him to safety.
She flinched when his hands circled her
waist, but she did not struggle as she knew
she should, not even when she felt his
thumbs glide up to rest just under the
weight of her small breasts.
My lord," she managed in a ragged
voice as he freed her mouth to catch the
lobe of her ear between his teeth." My lord,
I don't know that is, you ought not to be
doing this."
I want you to have good cause to
remember me, Victoria," Lucas whispered.
Victoria swallowed hard, trying to collect
herself" I assure you, I am not likely to
forget you."
Excellent."
His teeth grazed her tender earlobe,
causing no real pain but leaving her with a
disquieting sensation of vulnerability. The
odd caress left Victoria feeling shaken to
the depths of her being. Her insides turned
warm and her pulse quickened.
Without stopping to think, she moved
her hands up to twine her arms around
Lucas's neck. She liked the scent of him,
she realized. She also liked the feel of his
strong shoulders under her hands. She
was acutely aware of the heavy, masculine
bulge outlined by his tight breeches.
" This," Lucas whispered," is going to
prove a most interesting association." The
anger seemed to evaporate from him in
that moment, leaving only the desire his
eyes alive and glittering with it.
Do you think so?" Victoria was feeling
very daring now as she looked up at
him. The recent rush of euphoric relief
engendered by the close brush with danger
was meshing with another kind of thrill, a
new and unfamiliar thrill, a thrill of deep
sensuality. She felt oddly weak and realized
she was clinging to Lucas.
You don't realize it yet, but you have
handed me the keys to the citadel. I know
your secrets now, and I give you fair
warning, I will use them to court you."
Court me?" Victoria woke from her
dazed, sensual reverie.
I mean to court you, woo you, seduce
you. I will make you mine, Victoria. Only
the bravest, most determined of suitors
would endure what I shall be obliged to
endure in order to win you, but in the
end I will have you." His smile was slow,
dangerous, and infinitely compelling in the
moonlight.
What makes you think I will ever
surrender to you, my lord?"
You will surrender to me because you
will not be able to help yourself. You will
never find another man who is willing to
give you what you want," Lucas told her.
When all is said and done, you won't be
able to resist me. Now that I know what
you desire, I have you in the palm of my
hand."
What is it you think I want, my lord?"
Adventure." He kissed the tip of her
nose. Excitement." He kissed her eyelids.
And a companion to share it all with
you. The fair tonight was a tame event
compared to the sights I can show you. I
can take you places where no lady would
ever dare allow herself to be seen. I can
show you the side of life no respectable
woman of the ton ever knows."
The risks," she heard herself whisper.
It was as though he read her mind.
You can explore that other world with
me and no one will ever be the wiser.
You would not want to jeopardize your
aunt's position or your own in Society by
getting caught."
It dawned on her slowly just what he
was offering. The bait he dangled was
irresistible and he obviously knew it. But,
Lucas, if anyone ever found out, it would
be disastrous."
What we choose to do in the dark
hours between midnight and dawn will
be a secret only you and I will share.
I'm offering you a bargain, Victoria; one
I do not think you can ignore. I mean to
satisfy your curiosity concerning the wilder
side of life."
You must spell out the agreement more
clearly than that, my lord. What precisely
would you have of me in return?"
Lucas shrugged. Very little. A lady
by day, a companion in adventure by
night."
I am not so foolish as to believe it will
truly be that simple. You say you would
court me, woo me, but I will tell you
clearly once more that I do not intend
to marry."
Very well, we will not talk of marriage,"
he said soothingly." I, as do you, seek a
companion for my nights. I am at your
service. We will spend those nights as
you wish. All I ask is that you save your
adventures for our nights together."
You are quite certain that is all you
will require of me in exchange for your
midnight protection and escort?"
That is all I ask at the moment. The
rest is in the hands of fate. We will
play games together, Victoria. Dangerous
games. Games unlike any you have ever
played."
She looked up at him, fascinated by the
hooded assurance of his eyes, mesmerized
by the dark promise of his words. Victoria
knew then she should flee, but she could
no more have run from the lure he was
dangling than she could have flown to the
moon.
She was still aware of the edge of his
hand under her breasts and she suddenly
ached to know how it would feel if he
moved his long fingers upward and touched
her nipples. She shivered.
Again Lucas seemed to read her mind,
He moved his hands slowly upward until
he was cupping her breasts. She could feel
the heat of his palms through her waistcoat
and shirt, and, biting back a small cry, she
clutched him.
Before she could summon the strength
to protest, Lucas's hands had slipped
downward again to clasp her waist. She
was left feeling breathless, filled with
an urgency, a longing for more of the
forbidden touch.
Well, Victoria? Is it agreed? Will you
play the lady by day and my companion
in adventure at night? Will there be other
evenings such as the one we just spent
together?"
I thought you did not approve of the
sort of thing we did tonight."
I will admit I was astonished initially
at your boldness and daring, but I have
since recovered myself and it has occurred
to me that nights spent with you will be far
more amusing than any I might spend at
my clubs or in the company of the boring
young ladies on the marriage mart," Lucas
assured her.
She hesitated, but she could feel herself
slipping over the edge of a very high cliff.
It must be our secret," she cautioned." No
one must ever know. If my aunt discovered
what I was doing, she would be beside
herself with worry. Nor could I allow her
to be publicly humiliated by my actions.
She has been too good to me and I owe
her more than I can ever repay."
Your secrets will be safe with me. You
have my word," Lucas agreed.
She believed him then. Victoria knew
without any need for proof that this man's
word was his bond. He would not gossip
in the clubs or the drawing rooms. He
would not treat her with anything more
than proper courtesy at the routs and
soirees where they would meet socially.
Oh, Lucas, I would so love to explore
the night with you."
He brushed his mouth against hers." Say
yes, Victoria. Say you will take what I am
offering."
I must think about it. This is such an
important decision. I must have time to
reflect properly on it."
May I call upon you and your aunt
tomorrow? You can give me your final
decision then."
She drew a deep breath, knowing this
was the start of it." You do not waste any
time, my lord."
I have never been the type to waste
time."
Very well. You may call upon us." She
tightened her arms briefly around his neck,
already knowing what her final answer
would be. Then she released him, feeling
abruptly nervous and even a little shy. She
glanced up at the darkened windows of the
house." I must go in. And you must hurry
on
back to the Lyndwoods" carriage. They will
be wondering what has happened to you."
I will simply tell them there was some
difficulty getting over the garden wall," he
said casually.
He bowed gracefully over her hand.
When he raised his head, the moonlight
revealed his faint, slashing smile. And
then he turned, strode to the wall, and
unerringly found the hidden toeholds. In
another moment he had vanished into
the night. Victoria hesitated a moment
longer, wondering just what she had done,
and then she let herself into the dark
conservatory.
Some time later she lay awake thinking
there had been far too much satisfaction
and triumph in stone vale's parting smile.
/ mean to court you, woo you, seduce
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