Page 7 of Keeper of Secrets

“I…”

But he was leaning closer, his smell overpowering her, his proximity overwhelming her.He was everything…

And then he closed the distance between them, his lips brushing over hers in a kiss that was so gentle, so light, she wondered if she’d imagined it except… he was close, his scent wrapped all about her, his dark eyes glittering behind his mask.

She wanted to speak, to ask him anything but a warm tingling had spread through her, rendering her body near useless as all she did was stare.“That…”

He quirked that smile again.

“Chloe?”Mildred called, the sound of the other woman’s voice breaking the spell as she spun around, turning away from the mysterious stranger.

She felt as much as she saw her mystery man withdraw, disappearing into the shadows.“Mildred.”

“What, in all that is blessed, are you doing?”

“I…” What was she doing?“I was getting some air.I…”

Mildred stepped close.“Did you expect him to blow it into your chest?”

Chloe might have laughed except she’d never heard Mildred sound so… distraught.“What’s wrong?”

“Wrong?You can’t go about kissing men,” Mildred whispered in a hiss.“If you were seen… your mask isn’t even on.”

Chloe fumbled to return the stiff fabric to her face, hiding her identity as Mildred’s hand gripped her elbow.“Dear, you’ll be done with London before you’ve even begun.Being caught kissing any man is cause for ruin.You’ll go home a spinster.”

Home?She had no home to return to, Mildred knew that.“I can’t.”

“I know.Which is why, you of all people need to follow the rules.You’ve got nothing on which to fall back.”

Chloe’s face dipped again, this time shame pulling her chin to her chest.“I’m sorry.”

Mildred’s head snapped up, her gaze scanning the shadows.“Don’t be sorry, be careful.Now, who was the cad who had the audacity to do such a thing?He looked familiar…”

Chloe shook her head.She hadn’t a clue.Which made her the worst sort of fool.

* * *

Ryker joinedthe Master in the alcove under the stairs.“Done.”

“It sure was.”The Master peeked around Ryker, looking at… Chloe.That was the name Mildred had called.Who was Chloe to his aunt?And had Aunt Mildred noticed it was him?Surely she would have said something if she had?

He let out a long breath.That had been far too close for comfort.He shouldn’t have dallied so long with the chit, it was just that Chloe was exquisite.

Truly, the most beautiful woman he’d seen in some time, her combination of beauty and innocence had made him wish to… savor the moment.A mistake.

“Did you get her full name?”the Master asked, still gazing around his shoulder.“Know who the older woman is?”

“Why?”

“If you’ve ruined her, I’d like to look her up.I could use a new mistress.”

Something raw and sharp tore through him, his teeth gritting together, as he snarled at the other man.Chloe belonged to him.If anyone was going to make her his mistress…

Not that he usually kept mistresses.Even that was too much commitment for Ryker.“I need to go so you’d better collect your kiss quickly.”

The Master gave a nod, his dark hair falling over his forehead as he casually brushed it back.

Two ladies moved past them, each in decadent layers of silk.Neither were even close to being as beautiful as Chloe.

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