Page 47 of Noble Scoundrel

Just the thought of her had his body hardening. And he suspected his desire for the woman would only get stronger. Unfortunately, even another hour of rigorous training did nothing to lessen his more prurient physical need.

Not much later, he was luxuriating in an extra-large bathtub that had been brought up to his bedroom. Freshly scrubbed and smelling of citrus and spice, he rested his arms along the top of the tub and propped his foot against the opposite end. Tipping his head back, he closed his eyes to soak up the warmth and luxury afforded by the steamy, scented water.

He could grow accustomed to baths like this...though there was one thing that could make it better.

Closing his eyes, he imagined soft female hands smoothing over his skin. Massaging the muscles of his shoulders and back, soaping up his limbs, and working through his hair. Fine fingertips circling his sensitive scalp. He could practically feel the silky fall of dark auburn hair sliding over his shoulder from behind as an elegant hand smoothed down the planes of his chest...then abdomen...continuing below the surface of the water.

The scent of an unknown flower mingling with female arousal would surround him as she teased with the soft press of her lips to the side of his throat. Then the sultry murmur of her voice telling him how badly she’s been wanting to touch him. Touch all of him.

He hardened with such force it was almost painful. He reached under the water to run his palm down his stiffened length. With a groan, he pressed his head against the rim of the tub and took himself fully in hand.

For a second, he felt a slight, barely perceptible twinge of shame for using thoughts of Lady Katherine in such a way. But as his cock pulsed in his fist, he disregarded the noble sentiment. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

#

AFTER A SLEEPLESS NIGHT of tossing and turning and worrying, Katherine made her way down to the breakfast room. Nearing the bottom of the stairs, she was surprised to find a man wearing the clothing of a dockworker standing in her front hall. Apprehension rushed through her as she came to an abrupt stop.

Spotting her at nearly the same time she saw him, the man swept his woolen cap off his head to hold it in both hands behind his back. Wizened brown skin crinkled with discomfort as he shifted his weight awkwardly from one foot to the other.

“May I help you?”

“Uh, yes, ma’am. Uh, no, that is.” Pushing a scarred and roughened hand over a scalp covered in short white curls, he made a face of obvious distress. “I’m here to see—”

“Me.” Hale’s voice boomed loudly from behind her on the stairs as he descended in long strides.

When he stepped past her, Katherine’s expression must have revealed something of the swift and intense reaction his presence sparked in her body, because he smiled down at her with that arrogant knowing grin.

Gathering her composure, Katherine gave him a look of mild curiosity. “A guest of yours, Mr. Hale?”

“An old rival from my early days in the ring.” He continued across the hall and took the other man’s hand in a hearty grip.

Seeing the two of them standing next to each other, Katherine wondered how they would have matched up in a bout. Hale was taller and broader, but the other man—older by at least fifteen years—possessed a calm sort of competence. He looked like someone who’d been tested to his limits only to push himself far beyond them.

Hale turned with a smile as he placed a hand on the other man’s shoulder. “This is Jack Newton, known by most as the Lethal Hook. One of the best fighters I’ve ever faced.”

The older man gave a rough but quiet snort. “I couldn’t beat you.”

“Of course not, old man. They couldn’t have called me the Undefeated if you had,” Hale laughed. Then he tilted his head toward Katherine. “And this is Lady Katherine Blackwell.”

The poor man started then gave a hasty but very effective bow. “M’lady, sorry for the...uh, unexpected intrusion.”

“Not at all, Mr. Newton,” she replied quickly before tossing an arched look toward Hale. “I assume your presence is about to be explained.”

A grin widened his mouth before he replied. “Jack here is going to assist me in training proper guards for the house.” He looked back to his friend. “Any takers?”

“Aye.” Jack nodded. “Two. Smart and loyal. Good fighters, but not made for the ring. They’ll do well.”

Hale clapped the other man on the back. “Perfect.”

“Are you adding to my staff, Mr. Hale?” she interjected with a tilt of her head.

“My staff,” he corrected. The challenge in his eyes was a visceral thing. An intense little push and pull.

Did he think she wouldn’t agree to it?

It almost looked like he wanted her to argue with him.

She responded with a casual lift of her brows. “I will leave you to your work, then.” Looking past him, she smiled at Mr. Newton. “It was lovely to meet you, sir.”

---