Page 5 of Lucien's Gamble

He’d backed up almost to the door when she stopped him. “Has my brother arrived?” she asked eagerly, pushing her hair away from her face.

Remington stood frozen by the doorway. “No,” he croaked. “Montrose is not here.” He stared at her for a long moment before blurting, “Are you comfortable?”

“Am I—?” Julienne frowned, confused by the sudden change in topic. “Yes, I was quite comfortable.”

“And the food? Did you enjoy it?”

“The food was excellent.” She smiled. “Your entire establishment is breathtaking. I’d heard rumors, of course, and Hugh—er, Montrose—raved about the beauty of this place, but nothing equals actually seeing it with my own eyes. It’s very impressive. I admire what you’ve accomplished here.”

“You ad—?” He swallowed hard. “Thank you. I’m pleased you like it.”

“You must hear that often.”

“Actually,” he admitted, “that was the first instance where someone other than my parents expressed admiration for me.”

“Oh.” Julienne didn’t know what to say. She knew what others said about him, but she was saddened to realize he knew it as well. “Is that why you came? To check on my welfare?”

An uncomfortable silence descended.

“Perhaps I’ve come to ravish you,” he said finally.

She choked and then laughed aloud, even as her stomach did a little flip. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

Remington’s eyes widened. “Why? You don’t believe I would want to ravish you?”

Julienne rubbed her forehead and shook her head, wondering if she was dreaming this mad encounter. “Mr. Remington, you are the handsomest man in all of England. Your reputation is well known to me. I am aware a libertine like you would have no interest in a green debutante like myself.”

He moved toward her again with painful slowness, as if he pulled against his will. “The handsomest man in England?” he queried softly. “Is that your personal opinion, or one you repeat from the mouths of others?”

She twisted at the waist as he approached, hiding her bare back. “Both,” she admitted. She raised a finely arched brow. “I did not take you to be a man of vanity, Mr. Remington, but if you are, and you require confirmation of your attractiveness, I would be more than happy to oblige you …in the morning.At the present time, I would appreciate—”

“I’m curious, my lady,” he interrupted, his mouth curving intimately. “How would you confirm my attractiveness?”

Julienne grew wary at the hot flicker she saw in his eyes, the same look he’d given her in his office. She liked it, but Lord above, she wasnaked!The whole situation was … thrilling … but far beyond her experience. Clutching the sheet firmly with one hand, she held out the other to halt his advance. He stopped immediately. “What do you want?”

“To ravish you.”

He said it so simply, his expression so earnest, that she was momentarily rendered speechless. Oh, he was wicked. And far more interesting than the other men of her acquaintance.

“You can have any woman you want.”

“No.” His smile was wistful. “I can’t have you.”

Her breath caught.

“You’re very good,” she said finally, honestly awestruck. She’d never seen such a talented rogue. “Charming, seemingly sincere. I can see how you’ve managed so many conquests. But really, I am not worth the effort, I assure you, although I am flattered.”

Remington laughed. “Sweetheart, you’re amazing. You dress as a man to sneak into my club, tolerate my extorting you into spending the night, and then feel flattered when I barge into your room and tell you I want to ravish you.” His voice softened when he said, “I wish I could keep you.”

The expression on his face made her heart race. Julienne felt light-headed and dizzy all over again. Then she was struck with a thought that made sense, unlike all the others that swirled in her head. “Have you been drinking?”

He moved casually to the chair and sat. “Tell me why you want to find your brother, and I’ll tell you why I came in here.”

“If you’re interested in conversing with me, can you at least allow me to dress?”

His blue eyes glittered with eagerness. “In the negligee or the trousers?”

Her mouth fell open. This really had to be a dream. An odd, wonderful, bizarre dream. “I don’t know how to deal with a man like you, Mr. Remington.” She was out of her depth.

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