Page 40 of Keeper of Secrets

He heard the soft tap of her footfalls on the marble stairs before he saw her.Rising from his seat, she reached the entry, coming into his line of view.

Her low-cut gown clung to her body, exposing a fair bit of her breasts and all the smooth skin of her chest and neck.

He let out a low rumble as he drew himself up.

Let her go?No fucking way.

But he didn’t move either.He knew what game she was playing, and he had to admit, she was playing it well.

Tempting, teasing, making him jealous.But he had a few games of his own.He’d let her go out, let her get comfortable in the ballroom, and then…

He’d pounce.

The front door opened, the Countess Green coming into view.The two women kissed on each other’s cheek.

“My apologies for leaving the Rightly ball so suddenly,” Chloe murmured, grasping the other woman’s hands.“My night got very complicated.”

Lady Green gave a low laugh.“Worry not.So did mine.”

“What happened to you?”

If he wasn’t mistaken, the countess’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder.“A situation that I shall never find myself in again.”

Ryker’s brows lifted.Did that situation concern Strongborn?The challenge was to bed a widow and Countess Green was that.His eyes moved over her, realizing that she was also quite lovely.How had he missed that until now?

And then he looked back at Chloe.He’d missed Lady Green’s beauty because of Chloe… she had completely filled his gaze.

Even now, the details of the other woman faded away.All he could see was Chloe’s large blue eyes.Her lush hair, the lines of her body.

His teeth clenched as he finally stepped out of the shadows of the sitting room and into the entry.“And where are you ladies off to this evening?”

Chloe jumped, clearly surprised as the countess turned to him.“Your Grace.”She dipped into a deep curtsy.

“I could ask you the same.”Chloe looked at him, clearly assessing his evening wear.He didn’t answer her question either, but not because he was being intentionally evasive.The truth was, he intended to follow her this evening.

Was he the predator he’d hoped or had he just been leashed?Difficult to say.“But you didn’t, love.So why don’t you tell me, where are you off to?”

“Whites,” Chloe answered, knowing it was her duty as his charge to at least inform him.“I’ve always wanted to see the inside of those famous clubs and Countess Green is a member.”

Ah.Yes.Her wish to explore the city.“My aunt really spared no expense on your wardrobe,” he murmured moving closer.That gown was made for sin, and he could just imagine taking it off her.But every man in that club would be thinking the same.

She looked away.“You don’t approve?”

He stopped a few feet away.Close enough that he could have trailed a finger over her bare skin.“If it’s attention you want, you’ll surely get it.”

Chloe shifted, nipping at that supple bottom lip as Countess Green cleared her throat.

“Should we?”she asked.

“Let’s,” he answered with a toothy grin that he was certain made him look more like a lion than a man.

Both women started.“Oh.But…” Chloe fumbled.

He took a half step closer.“If you think I’m letting you out of my sight in that dress, you are sorely mistaken.”

The countess cleared her throat again.Louder.“Right.Shall we all take my carriage?”

“Perfect.I’ll have mine follow,” he answered, offering the countess his arm.“We’re going to have a wonderful time tonight.”

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