Page 57 of The English Duke
“You’re a truly despicable human being,” she said.
“Ah, but I’m not the one haunting Sedgebrook, hoping to catch our host in a compromising position. Or are you going to pretend you weren’t doing exactly that?” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “You’re wasting your time, you know.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jordan has other things on his mind than a flirtation.”
Her smile disappeared.
“Whereas I’m in the mood for a flirtation. Perhaps even more.”
“Step aside, Mr. Burthren.”
“Reese,” he said.
“Step aside, Mr. Burthren.”
“Reese,” he repeated. “I’d like to hear my name on your lips.”
“Reese,” she said, accentuating the sibilant sound until it sounded something like a snake.
He admired a fiery woman.
“Reese,” he said, stopping her from heading for the door by the simple act of pulling her into his arms.
He thought he might pass along a ghost story of his own, a tale of an outraged virgin. Or perhaps he would change it slightly since he was now almost certain Josephine was no longer a virgin. Perhaps he’d make her an avenging succubus roaming through Sedgebrook, intent on trapping men.
She’d let her hair down and it fell over her shoulders in dark waves. He wanted to thrust his hands into it. Her cheeks were pink, the color deepening as he studied her.
She stood there quivering with righteous indignation, biting her lip, and glaring up at him.
Damn, but he wanted to kiss her.
Before she had a chance to guess what was on his mind, he did just that.
Her mouth opened in surprise beneath his. He smiled when her outraged gasp turned into warm, softening lips.
She allowed the kiss to last a few long, enjoyable moments before placing her hands flat on his chest and pushing him away.
“How dare you!”
“Quite easily,” he said, fingering the bow at her waist.
What a proper robe she was wearing. It was cinched tightly, as if to protect the nearly naked figure beneath. He pulled at the end of the belt and the robe fell open, revealing a proper cotton nightgown.
She grabbed the edges of the robe and held them together.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Seducing you, I think,” he said. “I hadn’t intended to, but you are proving to be nearly irresistible.”
Two tears fell down those beautiful cheeks of hers. She blinked up at him, her blue eyes deep with emotion.
“How could you treat me so horribly?”
He couldn’t help but smile.
She was truly a magnificent actress.
