Free To Sin With A Scoundrel by Cara Elliott Page A

had been an innocent girl, fresh from the schoolroom and untutored in the ways of the world. Entering the Mayfair
     mansions had been like stepping into an enchanting fairy tale. The titled gentlemen, resplendent in their finery, had all
     appeared like Prince Charmings.
    Her education regarding the true nature of men had come swiftly, though not swiftly enough. Sheffield had been no prince.
     He had been a…
    Prick
was the word Kate had used. When its meaning had been explained, Ciara had filed it away in her private vocabulary. Yes,
     Sheffield had been a prick. Never again would she be so naive as to be fooled by a gentleman’s superficial charm.
    So why was she experiencing butterflies in her stomach?
    Fisting her hands, she sought to get a grip on her fears. A part of her could not believe she was voluntarily re-entering
     that glittering world of glamour and gaiety. Of silken whispers. Of satin lies. And in the company of a devil-may-care rakehell,
     a gentleman whose only interest was the pursuit of pleasure.
    In both sense and sensibility they were complete opposites.
    Opposites attract.
    Ciara bit her lip on recalling one of the basic laws of physics. Just because she had, in a moment of weakness, allowed herself
     to enjoy the intimacy of a physical touch, the sweetness of a kiss, didn’t mean that she was attracted to Lord Hadley. Not
     in any meaningful way. It could have been anyone—
    A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. “Lord Hadley is here, milady.”
    Ciara stiffened her spine. “Please show him in, McCabe.”

    The lady looked so rigid and pale that she might have been carved out of marble.
Was she nervous?
Strangely enough, Lucas found that he was, too.
    He entered the parlor and made a polite bow, hoping to dispel the awkwardness of the moment. Perhaps this time around, he
     could get things off on a more civilized footing.
    That hope, however, was quickly dispelled.
    Clenching her arms across her chest, the widow moved brusquely toward the mullioned windows. “Let me begin the meeting with
     a reminder that this is just a business arrangement, nothing more.”
    Shadows wreathed her face as she turned to stare out at the garden. Her expression was unreadable, but contempt was written
     plainly in her tone.
    “It seems that my friends have it all worked out,” she went on. “You get the manuscript translated for your uncle, I get a
     titled fiancé and some semblance of respectability in Society.”
    “Tit for tat,” he replied with matching coolness. “In other words, we both get what we want.”
    “Speak for yourself,” snapped Ciara. “I’m not at all convinced that your name will offer me much protection from the malicious
     lies being spread by my late husband’s family. However, my friends insist that I have no choice but to agree to this absurd
     proposition.”
    Hell.
It wasn’t as if the arrangement suited him perfectly, either. Squiring her through the Season would require a number of sacrifices
     on his part. Stung by her scorn, Lucas responded with deliberate sarcasm. “One always has a choice, Lady Sheffield. We are
     all responsible for our own actions.”
    “That is true,” she said softly. “But some of us are responsible for more than our own selfish wants or needs. I have a young
     son, sir. And to keep him safe from the clutches of his father’s beastly family, I would do anything.”
    It was evil to tease her, but Lucas couldn’t resist the temptation. “Even kiss me again?”
    A flush rose to her cheeks. “I pray it won’t come to that.”
    She looked even more lovely with her color up and her eyes sparking with fire.
    “No need to appeal to the heavens for protection, Lady Sheffield. I am not in the habit of forcing my attentions on an unwilling
     partner,” he drawled.
    Her face flamed to a deeper shade of scarlet.
    Suddenly sorry for upsetting her, Lucas stopped smiling. “But speaking of force, do you really think that Sheffield’s family