Free LORD DECADENT'S OBSESSION by Brita Addams Page B

passageway, and stopped in front of a large
    door. She'd heard the clicking of the pendulum on a large grandfather clock and the
    tapping of her own heels on the marble tile, but otherwise, the house was as quiet as a
    mausoleum.
    The butler scratched at the door, and it was then she heard the familiar voice of
    Prentice Hyde.
    "Yes, Davies, come in."
    Davies opened the door, and with an outstretched arm, ushered Desiree into the
    expansive, darkly paneled room. The library was bright. The draperies at the five
    bowed windows were open, allowing the early afternoon sun to pour into the room. A
    strong smell of leather assailed her, prompting her to gaze upon the great many shelves
    that lined the walls. She longed for time to explore the titles, but doubted she would be
    afforded such a gift.
    The butler had closed the door, leaving Desiree standing a goodly distance from
    the desk where she saw Lord Wycroft, head down, writing furiously. The delay in her
    discovery was welcome, but short-lived. She watched as he replaced his quill in the
    gold holder on his desk, sanded the paper upon which he'd been writing, and then
    raised his head.
    With his golden brown eyes fixed on hers, he sprang from the chair and was
    around the desk before she had the opportunity to blink.
    "What are you doing here? Who told you where I was?"
    He spat out the questions at lightning speed, making it difficult for her ascertain
    whether he was angry or just surprised.
    "I came to see you, and no one told me you were here." She tried to keep her
    voice level, though she was trembling unbearably.
    "No one but Lu . . . son of a bitch!"
    "He did not tell me, my lord. I overheard him talking to someone at the Sapphire
    Club. Serenity was mortified and begged me not to pursue you, but I had to see you. If
    you will grant me a few minutes, I will be on my way."
    "Overheard, huh? I suppose you were at the club to wheedle information out of
    Serenity. I threatened everyone under pain of death."
    "I know. Your butler, Byrd, lied rather unconvincingly when I inquired as to
    your whereabouts."
    "I'll have to give the man a raise. He does try ever so hard."
    Desiree smiled but knew the conviviality had ended. The slight smile he'd shown
    was gone, replaced by a furrowed brow and pursed lips.
    "What is it that was so important you had to come all the way to Cambridge?"
    Without being asked, Desiree sat on a leather chair near the fireplace. She saw
    Prentice's eyes widen in surprise, but soon took the chair's twin opposite hers.
    "Sir, I wish to apologize for whatever it was I did to cause your anger with me
    that last night in London. I wasn't aware I had behaved in any manner other than as
    you instructed. Given your precipitous demand that I leave, I fear I have done
    something offensive, and for that, I apologize."
    Prentice had crossed his legs, one over the other, his fingers laced over his flat
    stomach. He looked so beautiful in this town clothes. She immediately hated herself for
    that thought. He looked every bit the lord of the manor, and her body was even now
    reacting to him in a way that could prove unwise, especially if he chucked her out for
    yet another demonstration of how forward she could be.
    "You did nothing, Mrs. Huntington, to cause my behavior. It is I who owe you an
    apology, and it would have been delivered personally upon my return to London, had
    you not been . . . well, no matter. You are here, and what am I to do with you? My
    intent was to leave within the hour."
    "You are leaving? Oh, I have made a muddle of this." She rose, nervous anew.
    "Please, sit," he said, graciously extending his hand in invitation. "You have had a
    long journey and must be exhausted. Might I arrange for a meal for you?"
    She had eaten precious little for her morning meal, afraid to put too much in her
    already jittery stomach. "Yes, a bit of food would not be unwelcome. Thank you."
    "Davies!"
    The butler appeared instantly. "Yes, my lord?" "Have Mrs.