Текст книги "Accidentally, Love"

Автор книги: Kate Harper

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‘Oh, it was very complimentary,’ he assured her softly, his eyes lingering on her mouth. ‘People do tend to exaggerate, do they not? But in this instance I can see they had the right of it. You are very fine.’

Audrey looked at him, disconcerted by such directness. It was a very odd sort of compliment, uttered as it was in such a considered way. His apparent interest in her mouth made her feel uncomfortable, as if he were examining it with a view to doing something improper. Indeed, his very presence was making her acutely self-consciousness and – rather alarmingly – she was struck by a sudden awareness of him as a man, the kind of man who would take a woman into his arms and kiss her very thoroughly, quite likely to the satisfaction of everyone involved. It was such an unexpected, ridiculous thought that she did not react but merely stared at him, too rattled to make a sensible response, had she been able to come up with one. A reaction was not necessary, however for Allingham had clearly had enough of his brother’s intrusion. He stepped forward, taking Kirkwood firmly by the arm.

‘I will thank you to come with me now!’

For a long moment Mr. Kirkwood continued to stare at Audrey, before he turned his gaze to the hand that was resting on his arm. ‘As I came here specifically to speak with you, I hardly think a display of manly aggression is necessary, do you? Unless we’re proving something to the ladies? No? Then kindly take your hand off my arm, brother.’

Rather surprisingly, the earl released the man hastily, as if the fabric of Kirkwood’s evening coat burned. A flush suffused his skin but he maintained his composure. ‘You know we cannot talk here,’ he said shortly.

The man considered this for a moment, then inclined his head in acknowledgement. ‘As you say.’ He glanced back at his fascinated audience. ‘Ladies, I leave you with regret. Especially,’ he added, with a final look at Audrey, ‘you. It has been a singular pleasure.’

Once again there was that undercurrent of awareness, of something dark and compelling that sent a shiver through her. Really, she thought with some indignation, the man is a menace! I am inclined to think I should slap his face because he clearly deserves just such a set down. And because he had made her feel an awareness of him as a man – a virile, attractive man – in a way no other gentleman of her acquaintance had ever managed.

They watched in silence as Lord Allingham and Mr. Kirkwood walked away, Kirkwood tall and imperturbable, the earl clearly agitated.

‘Well,’ Isabella said after a moment, ‘that was most peculiar. Do we know anything of this brother?’

‘I cannot say I do,’ Lady Hathaway said, frowning a little. ‘What an odd man. Has Allingham mentioned anything of his brother, Audrey?’

‘Nothing at all. I did not know that Allingham had a brother until Charlotte Bennett mentioned it yesterday,’ Audrey muttered. ‘The earl has mentioned his family, of course, but he never once mentioned Mr. Kirkwood.’

‘Black sheep?’ Isabella mused. ‘Yes, I believe we have met the one relative that the poor man is not willing to lay claim to. He cannot be younger than Allingham, I refuse to believe it. Which must mean…’

Audrey glanced at her sister inquiringly. ‘Well?’

Isabella shrugged. ‘Illegitimate, I suppose.’

Audrey’s eyes widened but it certainly seemed like the only explanation. ‘They obviously did not seem to care for each other,’ she muttered. ‘Mama? What do you think?’

‘I think that we must not leap to conclusions about Allingham’s family,’ her mother returned quietly. ‘Rather than speculate, let his lordship tell you what the situation is in his own time. If he has been reticent, that is hardly to be wondered at. It is a delicate subject.’

‘I suppose it is. It would have been quite the scandal, would it not?’ Isabella said thoughtfully. ‘Although I have not heard a whisper about it.’

‘We do not move about in the same circles,’ Lady Hathaway shook her head. ‘And we are not seasoned visitors to town, my dears. Much of the gossip undoubtedly passes us by. If Mr. Kirkwood is indeed from another – ah – relationship, they probably feel uncomfortable discussing it, although such instances are quite common, I believe. If Audrey does become attached to the family I am sure that Mr. Kirkwood’s story will become known to us all.’

‘I don’t think I want to become familiar with his story,’ Audrey returned wryly. ‘He strikes me as a being singularly arrogant and far too forward in his behavior.’

‘He certainly did not seem to suffer from an excess of reserve,’ Isabella agreed with a grin. ‘In fact, he looked very much as if he might eat you, Audrey dear. If you do form a connection with the family I should think you would have to look out for that one. He must cause quite a stir. Having met several of Lord Allingham’s family, I am inclined to think that they appear to be a very staid family. A man like Mr. Kirkwood would rather stand out. That man was assuredly not staid.’ She caught sight of Harry coming towards them and her face lit up. ‘Oh look, here comes Harry.’

‘I suppose it is not at all surprising that Allingham didn’t mention he had a brother if that was the brother in question,’ Audrey murmured thoughtfully, remember those hot eyes and how they had raked over her, warm and impertinent. ‘He has only ever mentioned his sister Constance.’

‘Kirkwood is obviously the sort of fellow who does all the wicked things the other members of the family only dream about,’ Isabella grinned. ‘Heavens, can you imagine Judith Allingham dealing with such a fellow? She is so straight-laced. Not that we should blame her. We all have things we do not like to mention, do we not? Look at Harry, inheriting all that money from his uncle’s business dealings. As if it matters where money comes from. I daresay the butcher and the grocer are not particular about the origins of the money that pays them. And only look at dearest Johanna’s delightful grandmamma. Can you imagine what Almack’s would make of Mrs. Howeth?’

‘She’s a wonderful woman,’ Lady Hathaway said firmly. ‘Indeed, I think the place would be considerably enlivened if she were here.’

‘Oh, no doubt. But we both know she would never be able to obtain a voucher, for I doubt the patronesses would appreciate her intelligence or her kindness. Instead they would look no further than her accent. Mr. Kirkwood is clearly a rake. Quite a good one, I should imagine if that wicked glint in his eye is anything to go by,’ Isabella drew her eyes away from the approaching figure of her husband to give Audrey a look. ‘It seems obvious that poor Allingham would like to hide the existence of the fellow from you because he is embarrassed by the relationship. He had a rather foreign look, didn’t you think? Perhaps his mother was a French courtesan. Apparently they are terribly fashionable.’

‘Isabella!’ Lady Hathaway said, more exasperated than shocked.

‘Well it is true enough, after all. If one’s mistress is from France or Spain, one is completely de rigueur.’

Audrey’s lips twitched. ‘And you know this, how? My dear sister, have you been researching the subject? Are you planning on increasing Harry’s cachet by setting him up with a fancy lady?’

Isabella bared small, white teeth. ‘The day Harry looks at a fancy lady is the last day he shall possess two eyes!’

Harry, joining them at this moment, looked at his wife quizzically. ‘Are you taking my name in vain?’

‘No,’ she said firmly, tucking her hand into the crook of his arms. ‘We have been gossiping shamelessly. I trust this appearance means you are going to dance with me? For I am feeling dreadfully neglected.’

‘Now that, my love, is a disaster!’ And without further ado, Harry Carstairs guided his wife onto the dance floor and swept her into his arms.

‘What the devil are you doing here?’ The words burst out of Roderick Allingham as soon as they were out of earshot of the crowds.

Darius Kirkwood raised one dark brow. ‘I have come to wish you happy birthday, brother. Why else would I be here? That girl… Audrey? Is she the one that I have heard of?’

‘What do you mean?’ There was no mistaking the suspicion in his brother’s voice. ‘What have you heard?’

‘That you intend to wed,’ Darius said with weary patience. ‘Is it true or just another round of dreary gossip? Is she the one you’ve selected?’

‘What if she is?’

‘Dear God, you can be tiresome, Roddy. I am merely asking. She seems entirely suitable.’

‘She’s delightful,’ Roddy admitted, his face softening despite himself. ‘Quite marvelous in every way.’

‘Sink me, but the boy is moonstruck,’ Darius said dryly. ‘How fortunate that you found such a paragon. Have you offered for her yet?’

‘Not yet. Mama isn’t entirely sure that she is suitable -’

‘You cannot let your mother dominate your life.’ There was an edge to Darius Kirkwood’s voice now. ‘God knows, she’s been pulling the strings with you and Constance for years but enough is enough. Why the devil did you let your sister marry Greely, incidentally?’

The earl scowled. ‘She was perfectly happy with the match.’

‘I doubt that Constance was perfectly happy although I’m sure it pleased Judith well enough. The man was twenty years older than her and all the world knows he drank like a fish.’

‘Mother said that young girls like to marry an older man. They are far more stable.’

‘And it didn’t hurt that he was rolling in green either, I suppose,’ his half-brother said sardonically. ‘Never mind. I couldn’t do anything about it at the time and, as it turns out, it hardly matters. The bastard is dead. But you, Roddy. Make sure you marry somebody who suits you, not your mother. At first glance, I am pleasantly surprised by the look of Miss Hathaway. The chit is eye-catching.’

‘It’s not just her looks. She is kind and intelligent and gentle and… Confound it Kirkwood, I don’t have to justify my choice to you. Just tell me what you want. Why have you come to Almack’s, of all places?’

‘I thought I would turn up somewhere that you least expected,’ Darius looked around and curled his lip a little. ‘How can you stand this mindless pap?’

‘Yes, I can see it wouldn’t measure up to your expectations,’ Roddy said, trying hard for a bit of sarcasm himself. He wasn’t very successful. That was his brother’s forte.

‘Damn right. Has Margate been in contact with you?’ Margate was the Allingham’s solicitor.

‘He has.’

‘It’s all yours now, to do with as you will.’ Darius tilted his head a little, regarding his brother. ‘I handed the family fortunes back intact, despite your mother’s direst forebodings. In fact, you’re wealthier than you were before.’

Roddy hesitated. He had already heard from his man of business that the Allingham estates were doing well, although he had yet to return to Birchfield Hall to verify this for himself. It was probably true enough. His brother might be a thoroughgoing reprobate but there was no doubt he had a knack with money.

‘Thank you,’ he said, sounding stiff.

Darius grinned. ‘Don’t get all misty eyed on me. I imagine your dearest mama was predicting all manner of disasters. Part of my pleasure in handing back a well fed concern was to make her eat her miserable predictions.’

‘She wants only the best for Constance and me.’

‘Nonsense. If she’d wanted what’s best for Constance she wouldn’t have saddled her with Greeley.’

‘She wasn’t to know that… Oh for God’s sake, it hardly matters now. As you say, he’s dead.’

‘And Constance is in deepest mourning, no doubt. I would be loath to think that would throw your plans into disarray although I wouldn’t postpone anything for Greely’s sake. Just be sure you don’t fall for your mother’s little plots and plans. Marriage is an onerous business. Select somebody who you want to spend time facing over the breakfast table, not somebody your mother deems suitable.’

‘Hardly a subject you can profess to be an expert on.’ Roddy’s lips thinned a little. ‘You have always thought the worst of Mother, have you not?’

‘I do not think of her nearly as unkindly as she thinks of me. Be reasonable, brother. You are no fool. You must know that my relationship with your mother is none of my doing. But even that is irrelevant now, I suppose. You’re free of me, Roddy. Our relationship is done, is it not? Unless I am going to be invited to your forthcoming nuptials?’ He looked at his brother, who flushed a dull red. Darius quirked a wicked smile. ‘No, I thought not. There is only so far gratitude extends, after all. I wish you well, brother. Pointless as it is to offer it, if you need my help at any time you may call upon me or just send word.’

‘I hardly think I will,’ his brother muttered.

‘Perhaps not. We shall see. A belated happy birthday to you. May you spend your coming years well entertained. Boredom is the very devil, is it not?’ And, turning on his heel, he walked off.

Roddy looked at his half-brother’s tall, retreating form and regretted, for a moment, that he had not said something more gracious, something that in some way expressed his appreciation. He had profoundly resented the fact that their father had left the stewardship of the Allingham fortunes to Kirkwood. His mother had certainly predicted ruin for them all. But she had been wrong, in that. It appeared that Kirkwood had taken excellent care of things. Mother is not always right, he reflected but then, Judith Allingham hated her husband’s first-born son with a rare passion.

It was too late now to say anything, of course. And really, what could he say? Their relationship had been too acrimonious to build any bridges now. He would probably never see Kirkwood again.

Despite everything, the thought gave the earl a small pang of regret.

Chapter Two

Audrey almost managed to forget the peculiar Mr. Kirkwood, as there were a great many other demands on her attention with a string of dance partners presenting themselves steadily before her. She danced almost every dance and after another hour of energetic activity she found herself flushed and in need of a break. Not all of her partners were as light on their feet as they could be and, while it was gratifying to find herself the object of so much attention, there was a cost to avoiding heavy-footed men or partnering up with those gentlemen that enjoyed a reckless gallop around the dance floor as opposed to a graceful waltz. That level of effort took its toll and after a particularly vigorous quadrille, Audrey excused herself in favor of the relative peace to be found in the retiring room. Relative was the term, however, for time spent waiting in this apartment could be equally energetic, notorious as it was for gossip and speculation as ladies of all ages paused to discuss, dissect or dismiss. She had to run the gamut, stopping frequently as she made her way forward. It had become a popular on dit that Miss Audrey Hathaway might very well become Countess Allingham before many more months had passed and it had increased her social standing considerably. Allingham came from an old and distinguished family who wielded influence. Audrey was coming to see that becoming a part of Roderick Allingham’s family might mean more than she had realized.

As it was even warmer in the retiring room and almost as crowded as the main apartments had been, she did not linger but instead went searching for a peaceful place to hide for a moment and be alone with her thoughts. Audrey had become quite good at finding such places in stately homes and at the very public venues such as Almack’s. It was always nice to have a private place to retreat to for a few moments to catch her breath. Almack’s possessed several alcoves that were popular with couples that wished to spend scandalous minutes alone. Naturally she did not approach these well known trysting places. Instead, she quickly climbed a small stairwell that was used by the musicians and staff, hurrying up the steps, hands gripping her skirts so she did not trip. She knew that there was one particular alcove that was never used and was therefore an excellent place to gain a little peace, if only because nobody seemed to know it was there. If Audrey shared one unfortunate trait with her irrepressible sister Millie, it was an unnatural curiosity to know what lay at the end of a stairway or a corridor and this had led to discovering all manner of interesting places. In her shallow little alcove, which contained a solitary chair and possibly a broom, she was never interrupted as she took great care not to be seen going up the stairwell. It lay not far from the head of the stairs, before the musicians’ place on the curving gallery and she hurried towards it, eager for a place to be alone and think. There was nobody about for the second floor was generally deserted. In fact, she rarely encountered even a maid or footman. She slipped into the small alcove and let out a long breath, some of the tension draining out of her.

Tonight, in particular, she found herself craving the room for private reflection, although she couldn’t say why. Perhaps it was the unexpected pressure she felt from so many people who were eager to know if Allingham was going to come up to scratch. Perhaps it was her own inexplicable uncertainty about what she would say if he did… Was she really prepared to turn a perfectly nice earl down because he did not stir her emotions into a frenzy or occupy her every thought when she was not with him? She did think of Allingham, occasionally, but it was more to muse on the capricious nature of love. She wanted to feel swept up in a welter of passion for the man.  He was so very suitable in every way. And truthfully, he might arouse such feelings within her at some stage. Just because her heart did not stop for a moment in her chest when she caught sight of him, only to rush forward in an excess of joy was no reason to think that it might not at some stage.

‘Am I so much of an idiot?’ she muttered, her eyes on the twirling couples below. ‘To refuse an earl. Really?’

With a sigh, she leaned against the wall and reveled in the relative cool. From where she stood, she could just glimpse the ballroom below and the dancing couples whirling around the floor. Near the wall, those who were not dancing clustered together, the ladies fanning themselves briskly, the gentlemen looking quite warm, for the heat was considerable. The music was quite loud here for she was no more than thirty feet from the orchestra but it was still nice to be by oneself for a moment. With a sigh, Audrey closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax.

‘Well, well, Miss Hathaway. What a curious place to find a young lady alone. It makes me wonder… what are you up to?’ The voice was a lazy drawl that sounded as if it had been dipped in dark velvet.

Audrey’s eyes flew open. Turning her head, she saw a tall figure standing several feet from the opening of the alcove. Kirkwood! ‘What are you doing here?’ The words burst out of her, sounding very much like an accusation. They were, in fact, an accusation for there was no reason for the man to be there, unless he had followed her. The idea sent a frisson of mingled alarm and anticipation through her. But why anticipation? she thought in some confusion.

An eyebrow went up at her peremptory tone. ‘Why should I not be here?’ he inquired. ‘You are.’

‘You followed me!’

‘I did,’ he admitted. ‘I wished to see where you were disappearing to so mysteriously. I suspected a lovers’ tryst but I cannot believe my dear brother would have the courage to meet any female without the sanction of a chaperone. It made me curious as to whom you are meeting.’

‘Nobody,’ she said crossly, glaring at him. How dare he follow her here! She was disturbed that somebody had seen her slip up the stairs, but she was particularly horrified that it should be this man. ‘I wished to have some time alone.’ She tried to emphasize the last word a little, hoping that he would take the hint.

Unsurprisingly, he did not. ‘Time alone? Surely not. Young females come to these ghastly affairs to be seen by as many people as possible. No, I really do think that you have come here to enjoy a tryst. If I were a gentleman I would naturally take myself off, but under the circumstances I am not inclined to. I have heard that Allingham is interested enough to make an offer. We can’t have him being cuckolded before the wedding, now can we? Time enough for that after the event.’

Audrey gasped. ‘Sir, you insult me!’

‘If you are playing my brother false then I believe I have good reason to insult you,’ he returned and she noticed the hint of steel beneath the lazy voice. ‘Believe me when I say that I find families to be unbearably tedious much of the time but I find I have a certain obligation towards mine, even if they don’t acknowledge me. If you are not serious about Allingham, I would know it now so that I can put a stop to this business.’

She gaped at him a little. Good heavens, did he really think she was playing his brother false? It was, in its own way, admirable, she supposed but at the same time she could not help but be both embarrassed and incensed. ‘I am sure that your feelings for your brother do you credit but you are quite wrong. I am not meeting anybody here. As I said, I merely wished to have some time by myself. There are a great many people here tonight and it is very warm. And now, if you will excuse me -’

She took a step forward, intending to move past him but his next words stopped her. ‘Do you care for my brother, Miss Hathaway? Do you intend to marry him?’

She looked up into his face, frowning at this. It was dim up here; the backwash of light from the candles below and those supplied for the musicians the only illumination. Even so, she tried to read his expression, difficult enough, she guessed, in full light for he seemed a peculiarly inscrutable man. She had not been expecting the question. Indeed, it was not a question any stranger would ask and she was taken aback.

‘Really, Sir,’ she said, trying to infuse as much disapproval in her voice as possible. ‘I hardly think that is any of your affair.’

‘We are talking about my family, Miss Hathaway. If I do not have the right to ask your intentions, who does?’

‘My intentions?’ Audrey blinked. He rather had her there, for Kirkwood was his brother. ‘I’m sorry but I do not feel I am in a position to respond. Your brother has not made me an offer so it is entirely hypothetical. And now… if you will excuse me…’

‘Do you know, I don’t think I will? Don’t run away yet.’ He moved towards her a little. Audrey suddenly felt very small and extremely vulnerable for he towered over her. ‘It is irrelevant whether he has asked you or not. We both know he will. What I want to know is if you intend to marry my brother.’

‘Do you care for him so much, then?’ she asked, rather breathlessly. ‘So much that you feel you have the right to challenge his choice of a bride?’ Or the unfortunate bride herself…

Her eyes had grown used to the dim light by now and it struck her once again that the man was exceptionally good-looking. Allingham had the fresh, open countenance of a young man who enjoyed all the healthy pastimes available to him; riding, hunting, sparring at Boucher’s, a fondness for the outdoor life that showed. His brother, on the other hand, had the kind of looks that suggested he enjoyed some of the less commendable pastimes but he had yet to go to seed; in fact, those dark looks were still quite devastating. Audrey wondered if he really was a rake, as her sister had suggested. She had never met a proper rake before. Whatever the case, he was darkly handsome and she rather thought he was exactly the kind of man she should not be alone with. No…the situation was far more dire than that for a young lady never spent time alone in the company of a gentleman, even if it was accidental. If they were discovered here she would, quite simply, be ruined. Oddly enough, such a circumstance had never occurred to her before when she had slipped away at social events. She experienced a cold chill when she realized what peril she had been placing herself in. What a guileless fool she had been! If she managed to survive this encounter unscathed, she promised herself she would be a great deal more careful in the future.

Abruptly, his demeanor shifted. He seemed to relax, taking on an air of indolent amusement that he had worn in the ballroom. She eyed him suspiciously.

‘He’s very tame, you know,’ Kirkwood observed, leaning one broad shoulder against the wall.

‘W-what?’

‘Roddy. Admirable, of course. He has so many of the manly virtues that it would be easy to overlook the other side of the coin. All that horsey goodness is tempered by a sad lack of imagination, I’m afraid. You strike me as being a lively sort of female. Are you not worried that he would bore you to death in a month?’

Audrey was taken aback. ‘Thank you for your concern, but I can assure you it is entirely unnecessary. Your brother is not at all boring. On the contrary, I find our conversations most stimulating.’

‘There’s stimulation and then, there’s stimulation,’ Kirkwood observed, with a wicked grin. ‘The two things can be very different animals. I am almost sure marriage to Roddy will not produce the sort of stimulation most females crave.’

She frowned and pursed her lips. ‘I am quite sure you are an expert in the subject, Mr. Kirkwood but you have no idea what I am looking for.’

‘Is that a challenge, Miss Hathaway?’

She eyed him in alarm. ‘No, it is not!’

This produced a low laugh, which to Audrey’s anxious ears, sounded far too much like a provocative growl. ‘I am merely concerned for you, my dear. Roddy’s virtues are manifest but one cannot expect him to know his way around a pair of sheets until he’s had a mistress or two to show him the ropes.’

She flushed. ‘Do you really think this is… is an appropriate conversation to be having?’

‘Why not? Are you missish, Miss Hathaway?’

‘Missish has nothing to do with it!’ she snapped, then drew a deep breath. She needed to set the fellow in his place and be gone. ‘I do not want to speak with you any more,’ she said with some certainty. ‘This is an extremely inappropriate conversation.’

‘I am an extremely inappropriate man,’ he pointed out. ‘I was merely trying to illustrate the realities of marriage, as I understand them. Not that I have first hand experience, of course, but I have certainly seen the effects it has on its participants. Especially those married to paragons. Allingham is burdened by the weight of his own conventionality. I suppose,’ he added, ‘that such men are the reason why so many women resort to taking lovers after they have produced an heir. Tedium can be ghastly. Do you think you will take a lover?’

She gaped at him, scarcely able to believe he was saying such things. No man – no gentleman – would ever dream of talking to a lady in such a way. Clearly he was no gentleman although, she noted uneasily, that did not seem to matter as much as it should. Now that she had begun to take notice, she realized his close proximity was having a peculiar effect on her as her insides were fluttering in the most alarming way. It was a strange sensation, coupled as it was with indignation and anger.

‘Do you usually go about saying such things to perfect strangers? Have you no sense of… of…’

‘Decency? Good manners? I thought we had already established that I do not.’ he regarded her, expression inscrutable. ‘Do I make you uncomfortable, Miss Hathaway?’

‘Do you want to make me uncomfortable?’ she countered swiftly,

He seemed to hesitate for a moment. ‘You have me there, I’m afraid. I find that I certainly want something from you.’

Her heartbeat accelerated, responding to something in his voice. She did not fully understand either the sudden sense of urgency that gripped her or the hot flush of aching need that suffused her but she knew that both were entirely due to the man standing so close to her. Too close. Dangerously close. She knew that she was in a precarious situation and that the safest thing to do was to swiftly retreat. Unfortunately her feet seemed to be rooted to the floor.

‘Mr. Kirkwood,’ she began, then stopped, at a loss. What was happening to her? She had no idea what was going on. She had never felt quite so… so stimulated! She was intensely aware of him in ways she did not know she could be aware of somebody, her body responding to him in a purely visceral way, desire fluttering like a bird’s wings in the pit of her stomach, feathering her skin with a shiver of unexpected goosebumps. She felt trapped; mesmerized by those dark eyes.

He frowned down at her, his smoky eyes glinting dangerously in the candlelight. ‘Well this is unexpected,’ he murmured, sounding unusually grim.

‘W-what?’

‘This. You feel it too, do you not?’

Audrey swallowed. ‘I do not know what you are talking about. I need to return to... to my mother.’

‘You certainly do,’ he agreed, the words edged with a new tension that had not been there before. ‘You should certainly return to your mother.’

‘Yes.’ Having discussed it, logic dictated that she do as her words suggested, but Audrey remained where she was. Move, the voice of reason within her commanded. Just go. But she did not go.

He reached out a hand, his finger brushing aside a stray tendril of curling hair before he ran his knuckles lightly along the line of her jaw. Something clenched unexpectedly within her, so tight that she shuddered, breath catching at the back of her throat. He heard the small sound and nodded. ‘I know. I feel it too. Damned witchcraft, that’s what it is. You are not my type at all, Miss Hathaway.’

Audrey moistened her lips. ‘What is your type?’ Her voice sounded husky; unfamiliar.

It was mad to ask such questions. She did not know what possessed her. She certainly should not be asking questions like that of this man. He might just tell her. Sure enough…

‘Females who know what they want, who know what they can expect from me. No commitments, just an enjoyable encounter. A few hours spent reveling in each other’s bodies, giving mutual satisfaction. You would never have experienced such encounters, my dear Miss Hathaway, but I think I could promise you an introduction to the pleasures of the body that you would never forget.’