Page 6 of A Night of Forever
No.
Through half-closed eyes Arend studied Isobel as she chatted to another of the year’s pretty debutantes. She didn’t fool him for a moment. Apparently deep in conversation, the chit was trying to pretend she wasn’t watching him. But she was, and he found her inept deception amusing.
He did not, however, find her beauty amusing. Beautiful women were both annoying and dangerous. He’d been trying to ignore the throbbing awareness she caused within his loins whenever he saw her. With her delicate, fine-boned face, flawless ivory skin, and womanly curves, she only had to smile to arouse him. Her blue gown flattered her slender, shapely figure, and he tried not to focus on her firm, high breasts, fixing his gaze to her face instead.
She wore her rich, dark hair pinned up in an elaborate style, pearls woven into the soft curls. He wondered what the thick tresses would feel like against his naked skin. A naked Isobel. The thought jarred him out of his sensual haze. She could be the enemy.
She looked so young and innocent, but Arend knew how deceptive a woman’s looks could be.
A beautiful woman had killed his friend, and almost killed him, all for greed.
Naïve fool that he’d been, he’d thought Daniela loved him. But she’d loved another, and that man had almost taken everything from him, including his life.
Luckily for Arend, Daniela had made a mistake and shown her colors too soon. He’d have quite happily married her—only to die knifed in the heart in his sleep.
This time he wasn’t going to be a gullible fool. This time he knew he was dealing with an evil bitch. This time he was prepared.
What he now wanted to know was, who was aiding Victoria? How did she know their every move?
Ever since he’d accompanied Lady Isobel home after the carriage accident that had almost cost Marisa her life, he’d had his suspicions. Why had Isobel been kidnapped too? She had nothing to do with the Libertine Scholars and the vendetta they faced.
Was she a spy? Had she been placed in that carriage so they would discount her involvement? Had she been made to look an innocent victim so she’d be drawn into their circle and from there freely feed Victoria information?
His feet moved slowly toward his target, his eyes never leaving her face. When she finally locked gazes with him, the impact made him feel an instantaneous heat—an unwanted physical response, one he thought he’d taught himself to ruthlessly control. He refused to be hostage to a beautiful woman’s charms ever again.
A wave of restless energy surged through him. He shouldn’t be looking forward to this challenge so much.
To his satisfaction, he saw he wasn’t the only one of them affected. She had stiffened at his approach, wary and unsettled, the flush upon her face revealing that all her feminine instincts were on keen alert. He watched her shiver, and—damn it to hell—he felt a response, could feel himself hardening, all his male instincts roaring to vibrant life.
As he reached her side he heard her quick, indrawn breath. Oh, yes, she’d be ripe for the plucking. She was already under his spell and he’d not yet turned on the charm.
To seduce her would be easy, enjoyable, and bloody dangerous. He believed he’d crushed his weakness for beautiful women, but Lady Isobel still drew an unwarranted reaction from him.
For the first time in a very long time, his body was wound tighter than a drum. And all for a woman he should not want, never mind with such ferocity.
“Good evening, Lady Isobel.”
She glanced quickly round as if looking for someone, anyone, to save her from the big bad wolf, before finally saying, “Good evening, my lord.”
Was he mistaken, or had Isobel stepped closer to her friend? The young lady would not save her.
“Are you enjoying the ball?” Her low, husky voice sent a further charge of heat along his nerve endings. She feigned calm when he sensed her fear. Why was she afraid of him?
“May I present my friend Lady Cassandra.”
He took Cassandra’s hand in his, and in his most seductive French accent said,“Enchanté, mademoiselle.”
Lady Cassandra stood blinking, staring at him, totally captivated even when he released her hand.
He turned back to Isobel. “May I have the pleasure of this dance, Lady Isobel?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Did my stepmother put you up to this?”
Interesting.Thatresponse he had not expected. Isobel was not dazzled by his attention. He appeared to be losing his touch.
He gave her one of his most seductive smiles and took her gloved hand, running his thumb over her palm. “No. I spied you from across the room and did not wish to miss the chance to dance with the most beautiful woman here tonight.”
To his surprise her prickly demeanor did not melt.
