Free Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain Page A

anything that you yourself wouldn't do," Peter promised rashly, a twinkle in his eyes.
    "That's precisely what has me worried," replied Lord Trevegne seriously as he walked to the door with his brother, cuffing his ear fondly as he warned, "Be careful, Peter. Remember I won't be here to help you out of a difficult time."
    "Don't worry, old boy," Peter grinned, but with serious eyes for once. "I shall be a model of society, and do you proud," he said in farewell, leaping down the stairs two at a time, his promise already forgotten.
    Alex stood shaking his head, a frown of worry on his forehead as he turned towards his bedchamber, and the sleep long awaited. He wanted Peter to have what he had missed in his youth, but maybe he was too lenient with him at times. He didn't want Peter to feel deprived of anything. He deserved everything that he could give him-small comfort for never having known either of his parents.
     
    "Very well, Your Lordship," Dawson, Lord Trevegne's secretary answered, clearing the large, mahogany desk of the accounts and orders they had just been through for the last hour. Will there be anything else, M'Lord?"
    "No, just continue as usual, and no advances to Peter, unless I approve them. And if anything urgent should arise send me a missive immediately," Alex answered, straightening his lacy, white cravat before the mirror. "Otherwise, I leave you in charge, Dawson. I've complete confidence in your ability."
    "Thank you, Your Lordship; Dawson answered, flustered by the compliment.
    "You do me a great honor, and may I wish you a pleasant journey-although it promises rain before evening. It shall be a wet and gloomy morning for your trip tomorrow. Are you sure you wish to ride on ahead of the carriage, Your Lordship?" he asked worriedly.
    Lord Trevegne looked at the small, gray-haired man with his stooped shoulders and squinting eyes. He trusted Dawson implicitly, as he could few other men. Dawson had taken over management of his estates for him many years ago, and Dawson knew as much, if not more, about his financial affairs than he did himself. He told Dawson the truth when he stated he had complete confidence in him.
    "No need to worry, Dawson. I shall—" Lord Trevegne began to answer, when there was a knock on the door. It was opened by a footman announcing stiffly:
    "Lady Mariana Woodley, Your Lordship."
    He stepped aside as Lady Mariana swept regally into the room in a bright-red, velvet walking dress and matching fur-trimmed mantle and bonnet, her hands tucked into a large, dark, fur muff; her exotic perfume reaching out to the two men standing in the middle of the room as she moved toward them.
    Dawson made his way to the door unnoticed. He never liked Lady Mariana, and personally speaking, was glad that His Lordship was finished with her; he only wished that he could send her on her way without so much as a by your leave. In fact, His Lordship would have been surprised to learn this was the consensus of most of his household.
    "Alex, darling," she murmured softly. "You have been very impolite by not coming to see me since I've returned from the country." She pouted prettily.
    Lord Trevegne watched through narrowed eyes as she moved towards him, her long, narrow hands now outstretched gracefully. She was indeed a beautiful woman, her dark-brown hair superbly coiffed to reveal a long, slender neck, beautifully arched like a swan's.
    He looked down into her liquid, brown eyes and long artificially-darkened lashes, her lips raised, inviting his kiss, a kiss that he knew could be long and deep; fully reciprocated by her. He did not desire her as he once had, but he could still feel admiration, and something more, as he continued to stare at her. His eyes wandered slowly over her rounded, white breasts, barely concealed by the low-cut, red velvet of her dress and his memory filled in the rest of her curvaceous body—the feel of her warm and naked, lying pressed against his own bare flesh.
    He turned