through gritted teeth. I knew this was
going to be a mistake. I should never
have allowed you to talk me into bringing
you here."
Hurry, Lucas. They are about to begin
another round of play. You must rescue
Ferdie."
Now listen to me, Victoria ."
I am not leaving here until you have
rescued poor Ferdie. He's a very sweet boy
and he does not deserve to get chewed to
pieces by this Duddingstone person. Go
on. Save him." She gave Lucas a slight
push in the direction of the card table. I
promise to stay out of sight."
Lucas swore softly, but like any good
soldier, he appeared to recognize defeat
when he saw it. Without a word he
turned on his heel and started back into
the crowd.
Victoria could see very little of what
was happening, but a few minutes later
Ferdie Merivale emerged from the throng,
Lucas directly behind him. Victoria noticed
that one of Ferdie's arms appeared to be
twisted at an odd angle behind his back.
The young man did not look happy as he
preceded Lucas out into the street.
Victoria caught Lucas's commanding
glance and followed the two men at a
discreet distance. Outside she could clearly
hear Ferdie Merivale complaining loudly in
a slurred voice.
Damme, stone vale, you can't do this.
My luck was about to turn. Just a few
more hands and I'd have had the man."
A few more hands and you would be
obliged to leave town tomorrow to rusticate
indefinitely in the country. You would not
care for that, Merivale. You are a city
creature. How much had you already lost
to Duddingstone?"
Ferdie muttered something indistinct
and Lucas shook his head grimly. I
know you don't much appreciate this
at the moment, Merivale, and I am not
particularly enjoying myself, either, but
neither of us has much choice. Perhaps
tomorrow you will be grateful." Lucas
signaled a passing coach.
Bloody damn, stone vale, I don't want
rescuing. I can handle the play," Ferdie
wailed drunkenly.
Do us both a favor. Next time you
decide to throw away your inheritance,
do it someplace where I am not likely
to witness it. You have been a greater
nuisance than you know tonight." Lucas
tossed the young man into the coach and
gave instructions to the driver.
The coach rattled off down the street
and Lucas stepped back. He turned to
look at Victoria.
Satisfied?"
That was very well done of you, my
lord." Laughing with relief and pride in
his rescue efforts, Victoria stepped off the
sidewalk to join him. I swear, you have
my undying gratitude even if you do not
have Ferdie's."
She saw him open his mouth to say
something in response, saw the startling
change in his expression as his eyes went
to a point behind her, and then she heard
the clatter of horses" hooves on stone and
the rattle of carriage wheels.
The wheels sounded much too close.
Victoria turned around to see just how
close and saw a black carriage drawn by
two black horses bearing down upon her.
At that moment the safety of the walkway
seemed miles away, and the scream that
began in her throat disappeared into the
pounding hooves and the screeching wheels
of a carriage.
Then something heavy struck her, carry
ing her back out of the path of the hurtling
carriage. She sprawled under Lucas's full
weight as hooves and wheels went past
scant inches from her booted foot.
Some drunken idiot showing off his
lamentable driving skills, no doubt," Vic
toria said from the opposite side of the
carriage.
No doubt."
She tried to see Lucas's expression in the
shadows. She was still somewhat shaken
from the near miss, but mostly she was
bubbling over with the excitement of the
entire affair. Her main concern now was
for her companion.
Lucas had uttered barely a word since he
had helped her up from the pavement and
tossed her into a carriage. She could feel
the angry tension in him. He was absently
rubbing his leg and she wondered if he had
hurt it rescuing her.
You were very quick, Lucas. I vow I
would have been run down if you had not
moved so fast."
Nothing.
Does your leg pain you very much?"
I'll survive."
Victoria sighed. It is all my fault, isn't
it? If I had not insisted on going to that
gaming hell tonight, you would not have
hurt your leg."
That is certainly one way of looking at
the incident," Lucas said.
I'm so sorry, Lucas."
Sorry?"
Well, not about going to the Green Pig,
precisely," she admitted candidly. For I
did have a marvelous time. But I am
terribly sorry you got hurt." Impulsively she
slipped across the short distance between
them and sat down next to him. Here, let
me massage it for you. I am quite good
with horses, you know."
Is that a recommendation?"
She smiled, relieved to hear the unwilling
humor in the question. Of course. One
needs to learn how to soothe a spirited
animal after a bruising ride."
You're the one who probably got
bruised. You were on the bottom. You
are certain you're not hurt?"
Oh, I am quite all right. One of the
useful things about men's clothing is that
it provides much more protection for the
body than an evening gown. If only you
had not twisted your leg when you threw
yourself toward me the way you did."
As she talked she put her hands on
his thigh and probed experimentally. She
was instantly aware of the strong sinew
and muscle under her fingers. The snug
fitting breeches hid nothing of his natural
contours. It was almost like touching his
bare skin, she thought as she cautiously
began to knead his leg.
Lucas made no move to stop her. He
simply sat there looking down at her as
she worked over him. Victoria concentrated
fiercely, anxious to bring him some relief
from his obvious discomfort.
There was very little give in him, she
thought, squeezing the solid muscle. Hard
as stone.
I really do appreciate what you did for
Ferdie Merivale." Victoria found herself
speaking quickly in an effort to fill what
seemed to her a highly charged silence.
Her fingers dug deeper into his thigh.
I'm glad you do bec
ause I doubt that
Merivale does." Lucas sucked in his breath.
Easy, if you please, Vicky. That is my
injured leg, you know."
Oh, yes, of course." She lightened her
touch, glancing up to see his expression.
Is that better?"
Much better." He was silent for a
moment longer and then he said, You do
have excellent hands. I envy your horses."
This time when she looked up into his
shadowed face, she realized he was smiling
slightly, a piercingly sensual smile that sent
a rush of heated awareness through her.
She could feel the tension in his leg
changing in some indefinable fashion and
she found herself running her palm along
the inside of his thigh.
He lifted a hand and drew his slightly
rough fingertip slowly down the line of her
throat to the nape of her neck. Victoria
held her breath, sensing he was going
to kiss her. She'd learned to recognize
that glittering gaze. She'd seen it on the
occasions when she'd stood with him in her
aunt's garden after an evening's escapade.
The anticipation alone was enough to set
fire to her senses.
Lucas?"
Tell me, Vicky, do you like my good
night kisses?"
I ." The words seemed to get caught in
her throat. Yes. Yes, I do."
One of the things I like about you, my
dear, is that you can be so delightfully
honest at the most interesting times." He
threaded his fingers through her hair and
then his hand tightened on the back of
her head, urging her close. I wonder if
you have any idea of how it affects me."
She went to him willingly, tumbling
across his lap as the coach swayed and
jounced. With a soft little sigh of pleasure
she wrapped her arms around his neck and
lifted her face for his kiss. There was no
doubt about it, she thought, her appetite
for this sort of thing had been well and
truly whetted by those previous kisses in
the garden.
Lucas's mouth came down on hers, his
tongue sliding along the edge of her lower
lip, seeking admittance.
Eager now for the heat and excitement
she always found in his good-night em
braces, Victoria nestled closer. His arms
were strong and hard around her, and
when his hand moved to the buttons of her
waistcoat, she made no move to resist.
All the pent-up excitement of the evening
was flowing through her and this was the
most thrilling moment of all. Victoria
barely felt her cravat being loosened, but
when his fingertips glided down her throat,
she tightened her arms around his neck.
Lucas laughed softly against her mouth
as his fingers went lower to part her
waistcoat and shirt. There is something
rather strange about unfastening men's
clothes on you, sweetheart."
Victoria could not respond because he
was suddenly cupping her bare breast in
his hand. She gasped instead and went
taut. Then, instead of protesting, as she
knew she ought, Victoria turned her hot
face into his shoulder and clutched him
tightly.
Do you like the feel of my hand on
you, Vicky?"
She nodded jerkily. Yes." She could feel
her nipple tighten under the touch of his
thumb.
So honest. Can you feel what you're
doing to me?"
She could. He was growing hard beneath
her buttocks. His thighs parted slightly,
making her even more aware of the solid
shape of his manhood beneath the tight
breeches.
Lucas, your poor leg."
I assure you it is not paining me in the
least right now.
We must stop."
Do you really want me to stop touching
you?" Lucas whispered.
Please don't ask me such a question."
Breathlessly she dug her fingers into the
muscles of his shoulders and strained
against his hand. She was growing hotter
and she could feel a warm dampness
between her legs.
As if he, too, knew about the moist
heat between her thighs, Lucas moved
his hands down to the fastenings of her
breeches. Victoria completely lost her voice
just when she knew she should be raising
it to its loudest level in a fierce demand
for him to halt. Instead she was suddenly
fascinated with the masculine scent of his
body and the sensual tension in him. Her
fingers clenched and unclenched on his
shoulders.
You are damp and ready for me,
aren't you?" Lucas slid his hand inside
the open breeches and found her secret
warmth. Your body is already preparing
its welcome.
Lucas."
Do not be embarrassed, my sweet. I am
glad to know you want me as much as I
want you. When the time comes, we are
going to deal very well with each other."
Dazed, she managed to lift her head long
enough to look up at him. When the time
comes?"
Not tonight. I would much prefer a bed
instead of a carriage seat for our first time
together. And I want all the time in the
world, not the few minutes we have left
before we reach your home."
Lucas, we must stop. We must." He
had never touched her like this and she
did not know how to handle her own
emotions. A delicious sense of eagerness
was gripping her.
Are you sure you want to stop, little
one? You feel so good, darling." His mouth
was on hers again and then on her throat
as his fingers slipped lower, parting soft
petals to seek out the tiny bud of desire.
So damned good. And you want me. Say
it, Vicky. Give me the words at least."
Victoria sucked in her breath as the
wondrous sensations made her tremble in
need. She wanted to tell him again that
he must cease touching her so intimately,
but she knew she could not. Not yet, at
any rate. She wanted more of this exotic
feeling and she sensed that only Lucas
could provide her with what she desired.
The words, sweetheart. Is that so much
to ask?" His voice was gentle, coaxing,
intimate. All I'm asking is for you to
tell me what you are feeling. Does this
feel good?"
Yes, oh, Lucas, yes." She squeezed her
eyes shut so she would not have to meet
the gleaming satisfaction she knew she
would find in his intent gaze. She twisted
helplessly against his probing hand.
Keep talking to me, sweetheart. Keep
telling me how you feel when I touch you
like this." He slid one finger gently into her
warmth.
She cried out and muffled the sound
a
gainst the fabric of his jacket.
And this ."
She flinched and suddenly she could not
get enough of his long, sensitive fingers.
She lifted her hips, silently pleading for
more but not knowing what it was she
sought. Lucas, do that again. Please touch
me again."
Like this, my sweet?" His fingers worked
magic in the hot, damp area between her
legs. God, you are beautiful, Vicky. You
respond to me as though you had been
made for me."
Please." She could barely speak as she
arched her hips and writhed again beneath
his touch. I don't know I can't Please."
Yes. I know. I will. Just give yourself up
to it, darling. Do you want me?" he asked
again.
Oh, yes, yes, yes." And then she was
beyond thought, beyond speech. Something
tight and vibrant that lay coiled within her
suddenly released itself without warning,
reverberating through her body until she
was shivering. The small convulsions made
her tremble from head to toe, but she was
not cold, nor did she know any fear.
She had never felt so joyously alive in
her life.
And then she collapsed in an exhausted
little heap against Lucas's hard chest.
So beautiful. Such a sweet, hot passion."
Lucas dropped light, reassuring kisses all
over her face and throat as he withdrew his
hand from between her thighs and hastily
refastened her breeches. I will go out of
my mind waiting for you. But I do not
think you will make me wait too long,
will you, sweetheart? You would not be
so cruel."
Victoria hesitated until she could breathe
normally before lifting her head away from
his shoulder. The carriage was already
slowing. She looked up at him, still dazed.
He was smiling faintly, a warm, knowing
expression in his eyes.
That was ." She licked her lips and tried
again. That was very strange."
Think of it as an experiment in natural
history."
An experiment?" In spite of her odd
mood, the laughter welled up inside her,
revitalizing her and flushing away some
of the sensual lethargy that had held
her in thrall. You are utterly impossible,
my lord."
Not at all." His smile was gentle, but
there was a disturbing heat in his eyes.
The things I want to do with you are all
quite possible. Some may be improbable,
but not impossible."
She was staring wordlessly into his eyes
when she suddenly became aware that the
carriage had stopped. She gave herself a
small shake and her fingers flew to her
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