Page 14 of The Secrets He Keeps

As he turned to retrieve his greatcoat, she took a moment to re-establish her natural grounding. To brush away any hint of sensual longing he might have inspired with his practiced torment.

“May I escort you to your carriage?” he asked, offering his arm once again.

Callista sighed. “If you must, though you should know the show of gallantry is utterly lost on me.”

When her words inspired a gentle chuckle from the man, she realized with a jolt of shock that she’d made the jaded comment specifically for that purpose. Already, she’d come to understand that he enjoyed her cynical and blunt sarcasm. And she enjoyed his rare show of amusement far too much.

Rather than wait for the carriage to come around, by silent agreement, they started walking to where the carriage was parked a couple blocks down from the theater. The silence continued during the stroll along the dark, frozen pavement. A few light, drifting snowflakes swirled about in the winter air and Callista tipped her face to watch them dance against the backdrop that was Covent Garden.

Callista loved this part of London. She loved its grittiness and danger and how it existed at the very edge of the sophisticated societies who came to the neighborhood of excitement and risk. She loved how it blurred the lines between light and dark, sin and virtue, entertainment and survival.

There was a specific sort of energy here. Filled with ambition and a soul-deep hunger. That energy had fed her for years, until she’d gained a fat enough purse to buy her own place closer to the neighborhoods of the elite patrons she’d intended to service.

“Is it possible I’m witnessing an expression of contentment?” His tone was warm and carried only a hint of the seductive undertones he’d employed earlier in the evening.

Callista allowed a smile but didn’t turn to look at him. In her current mood, she decided to be a bit magnanimous. “I suppose anything is possible.”

“I know better than to assume my company is the cause. Will you share the thoughts inspiring such enjoyment?”

Having reached her carriage, Callista stopped and turned to face him. A few snowflakes sparkled in his hair and dusted the shoulders of his greatcoat. His mouth was soft, his gaze curious. He appeared almost harmless in the winter moonlight.

But regardless of what he wanted her to believe or how she occasionally found herself feeling almost comfortable and relaxed in his presence, he was her rival and her adversary.

She smiled—a stiff curving of lips that had grown chilled in the night air. “Come now, Mr. Maxwell, we both know you’ve less interest in my thoughts than you do in my perceived heart.”

His expression didn’t change at first. He simply stood in the light falling snow, looking handsomely distinguished and utterly self-possessed as his focus moved slowly over the details of her face. She oddly got the sense he was a bit...disappointed.

Then his manner slowly changed. She felt his shifting intensity like a vibrational wave. Her breath held and her leather-gloved hands curled into fists beneath the fall of her cloak.

“Madam Pendragon, I apologize for not having made myself clear since our first meeting.” His brows lowered, shadowing his gaze, while his firm lips shaped the next words with carnal intent. “I am interested in all of you. Not only the softness of your skin or the lush heat between your thighs. I want to learn the rhythm of your heartbeat. Share in your deepest dreams and darkest pleasures. Such desires are undeniable.” He leaned toward her to add in a heavy whisper, “As is my wish to become intimately acquainted with your shrewd and beautiful mind.”

Despite the riot of sensations his words and voice and silver eyes triggered throughout her body, Callista hardened her expression and tilted her head to a condescending angle. “You don’t want much, do you?”

“Just you, madam.”

The heavy words sunk through her winter wear into her skin as light snowflakes drifted around them in the golden light of the street’s gas lamp.

“You didn’t expect it to be easy, did you?”

“Nothing worth keeping comes easily,” he said, repeating a phrase she’d used when talking of Pendragon’s.

Her stomach twisted.

It was a grave miscalculation on his part. This whole seduction was a ploy to get her off his back. She could believe he wanted her in his bed. Not many men didn’t. But he’d made a mistake in implying he had any intention of keeping her.

Without a word, she turned and stepped into her carriage unaided by Mr. Maxwell or the groom who stood waiting beside the open door. As soon the door closed and the vehicle started moving, she put the arrogant man directly from her mind.

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