Free A Tale of Two Lovers by Maya Rodale

rise. Jocelyn described her boy’s costume for the play. The long and short of it was that the Lady of Distinction was made out to be a liar.
    Julianna was vexed that she herself didn’t question Jocelyn sooner, and she was terrified of Knightly’s reaction when he saw she had missed such a golden opportunity.
    What had she been thinking? She hadn’t. Actually, she’d been thinking about Roxbury, and his kiss, and more. Useless rubbish.
    “Say yes, Lady Somerset. You know you want to,” he murmured.
    “I don’t think I will, thank you.”
    She was in a foul mood, and he was too tempting. The man was just too damned handsome for his own good. She was a tall woman but his intimidating height made her feel small. And one could just tell that he was well muscled under his evening clothes. There was a reason half the women in the ton had slept with him, and the other half wished to.
    “I do not think you will. I know you will,” he replied easily.
    “It would damage my reputation to be seen with you,” she told him. Then he pointed out what she was afraid of—
    “Everyone in this room is already watching us talk. Anybody nearby is listening. You can only imagine what they must be thinking of us.”
    She shrugged, as if she did not care in the slightest. Really, though, it was profoundly disturbing. Her reputation as a respectable matron—of one and twenty, mind you—was essential. Scandalous ladies were not invited out, and gossip columnists needed to be everywhere.
    Being seen in a hushed conversation or waltzing with the likes of Roxbury would be damaging. There was no one more socially toxic than he at the moment.
    But tongues were already wagging about the two of them—she could tell, just by looking around the room and catching all those lords and ladies quickly looking away.
    “Waltz with me,” he murmured quietly, and leaning in close so only she could hear. It made her shiver and that was really why she couldn’t, wouldn’t, and shouldn’t do anything as intimate as waltz with him.
    She always felt overheated and dizzy around him. Her wits were dulled and her judgment impaired. And then there was the chance that he might kiss her again—and that she would like it, which would lead to all sorts of trouble.
    “I will not, thank you,” she reiterated, though she truly meant I dare not .
    “Suit yourself,” he said, taking his turn to shrug. “I didn’t want to tell everyone that you are the Lady of Dist—”
    “ Shhhh .” Julianna stomped on his foot to emphasize her point. He did not appear inconvenienced or annoyed in the slightest. In fact, another glance told her that he was clearly enjoying this exchange.
    “But I could,” he told her. Yes, there was definitely a spark of joy and mischief in his eyes. Her lips couldn’t help but curve into a smile. That legendary Roxbury charm was still operating to full effect.
    “You wouldn’t,” she confirmed.
    “Right here. Right now.” He taunted her and tempted her, and against all her wishes and better judgment, she was falling for it. Her cheeks felt hot and her heart was beating quickly out of nervous terror that he would just shout out her secret to the ton.
    Frankly, it was amazing that he hadn’t already.
    “Never,” she said.
    “Ladies and gentlemen,” Roxbury said loudly. A few people looked. She experienced a surge of terror. “This beautiful woman has agreed to waltz with me.”
    That she could not refuse. Roxbury offered his arm to her, and she accepted grudgingly. Arm in arm they strolled from the card room to the ballroom, nodding and smiling faintly to the curious glances from acquaintances.
    He was a rake, she was a widow. The conclusion was as obvious as it was false.
    Roxbury smiled devilishly down at her as they assumed the position: her right hand in his, her left resting upon his shoulder. With his hand on the small of her back, Roxbury pressed her close. She felt trapped. Captive.
    “Do not try to lead,” he