Free A Tale of Two Lovers by Maya Rodale Page A

said.
    “We haven’t even taken a step yet,” she pointed out.
    “Yes, but you look like the kind of woman who would try to lead,” he said with an air of authority, as if he could read women like books. Given his experience, he probably could.
    “Why are you so desperate to waltz with me anyway?”
    “Oh, I have many reasons,” Roxbury said, smiling. The first notes of the orchestra sounded and they began to waltz. He led superbly, so there was no need for her to.
    “Enlighten me,” she requested.
    “So that my tarnished reputation might rub off on yours,” he answered.
    “Oh, how lovely,” Julianna said with excessive sweetness and a smile to match.
    One, two, three. One, two, three. They moved along to the steps in perfect time, together. She was surprised at how well they moved as a couple when every other interaction had them at odds.
    “And so that I might gloat about the Man About Town’s column this morning, while holding you so that you cannot run away.” To prove his point, he urged her just a bit closer, and those butterflies in her belly stirred to life and began to flutter off the dust on their wings.
    “Splendid,” she remarked dryly. He could not know his effect upon her!
    “Lastly, thanks to you, it’s been some time since I’ve held a woman. You shall have to suffer my advances.”
    “That’s blackmail!”
    “I’m not sure it is. Regardless, I’m only asking for one dance, when I could demand so much more,” Roxbury said, but it didn’t sound like a threat. In fact, it felt like temptation. What was happening to her? She was made of sterner stuff than this! One dance with a scoundrel who smiled and murmured would not be her undoing.
    But the memory of that kiss—his mouth hot on hers, his hands through her hair, the length of her body pressed against his—lingered, so vividly she could practically feel it. He might not even be tempting her at all, and she could merely be suffering from wishful thinking! Dear Lord, did this man make a mess of her.
    “Granted, I do have enough information to blackmail nearly any woman in the ton. One learns a lot after years in bedrooms all over town, you see.”
    “Yes, I see,” she said tightly. She saw that this was why he was not to be trusted, and why she must not succumb to temptation. Somerset had spent years in bedrooms all over town—the years before and during their marriage, to be exact. And with her young, handsome charmer of a husband, Julianna had also experienced the fluttering sensation in her belly, the heat of pleasure and the dizzying effects of infatuation.
    In his own way, Roxbury tempted her to experience all that again. She could never go back to that life. She did not think she could survive it again.
    “I thought I would take exceptional pleasure in tormenting you,” Roxbury told her. And he smiled, showing he truly did enjoy vexing her. Unfortunately, it was such a charming smile she couldn’t help but return it.
    “That is so romantic, Roxbury. I might swoon.”
    “Please don’t. I should like to carry on with the gloating,” Roxbury said joyfully.
    Julianna made a move to go, but grinning all the while. Still, he held her close.
    “It was a great maneuver to have Jocelyn speak to the Man About Town, was it not?” he began.
    “Yes, it was. I am vexed that I did not think to speak to her first. Congratulations.”
    “How did it taste to say those words, dear Julianna?”
    “Like vinegar,” she replied pertly and Roxbury burst into a laughter that slowly faded into a big grin.
    “Why are you smiling like that?” she asked suspiciously.
    “I’m enjoying myself tremendously,” he said, sounding a little bit surprised himself.
    “Enough for the two of us?” she queried tartly.
    “Admit it—you are enjoying this, too,” he challenged, still smiling.
    Julianna wanted to smile back, and to laugh, and to love being whirled around the ballroom in the arms of such a handsome and charming—if