Free Legendary Lover by Susan Johnson Page A

wasting my time."
    "You are , I assure you. I don't care to be the subject of any new wagers."
    "No one collected on their bets. I denied everything. And if anyone wishes to dispute my account, they're free to challenge me."
    "No one will."
    He shook his head.
    "How chivalrous, Redvers . I should thank you, I suppose, but then you smell of perfume in the middle of the afternoon."
    He looked at her over the rim of his glass. "Does it offend you?"
    "Don't look at me like that. And yes, it does."
    "I was just accompanying a friend of mine. I didn't participate."
    "Don't explain. What you do with your time is of no importance to me."
    "But you don't like the scent of perfume on me."
    "Because of what it implies of your indolent life. Have you no other interests?"
    "Would it matter if I did?"
    "Of course not. I don't know why we're even having this conversation."
    "Probably because I'd like to make love to you again, despite every warning bell going off in my brain—and if

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    you don't think me too immodest, I suspect you do as well."
    "I certainly do not." But her cheeks turned pink and she wouldn't meet his gaze.
    "I'm not saying we would, only that we'd like to. I'm as unwilling as you to give in to these unprecedented feelings."
    She heard the word unprecedented and took a deep breath, as though she could still the flutter in her stomach by such simple means. The word echoed her own disobedient emotions, filled her brain with expectation, flared hotly where she didn't wish to feel any heat. "Yes, unwilling. I agree."
    His gaze sharpened. He knew that sound. And it suddenly became a question of whether he cared to act on his feelings.
    For the lady was willing, whether she acknowledged it or not.
    He softly swore, not familiar with curbing his desires. "I dislike these sensations."
    "I think you should leave."
    "Or we should leave together." The words seemed quite independent of his wishes.
    "It's impossible ..."
    But there was ambiguity in her tone. "I've a river house, not too far away," he slowly said, choosing his words with care, as if he needed justification for what he was saying. "It's wholly unfashionable and rustic. No one would see us there."
    "I hate this. I hate you for making me feel this way."
    "You could chastise me to your heart's content upriver," he replied with a faint smile.

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    "How can it even signify who you take there? How can you distinguish anymore?"
    He seemed not to have heard her. "I should have left when I first saw you. I don't know why I didn't."
    "How smoothly charming you are ."
    He shrugged. "I'm sorry for my candor. I generally prefer dissimulation in these arrangements. It's so much easier."
    "You find it difficult to consider making love to me?"
    "I find it unnerving in the extreme."
    She gazed at him for a tremulous moment. "I understand completely," she whispered.
    "We're damned tyros at this . . . shocking susceptibility."
    Her heart beat wildly. "Absolute novices."
    "Peggy is peeking through the drawing-room curtains, along with Molly," he noted, dipping his head in their direction. "Shall we make love here and delight their little hearts?"
    "Acquit me, Redvers , of your exhibitionist tendencies."
    "Jack," he murmured.
    It took her several seconds to reply. "Jack," she finally said, very low, sumptuous possibility in the word.
    And rising, he held out his hand.

Chapter 6
         esse            
    KZS   VO    ONE    APPROACHED    THEM    AS    THEY    LEFT
    save Oliver, who handed the marquis his hat and cane.
    "Tell your mistress, who's hiding in the drawing room , that she will suffer my wrath at some more convenient time."
    "Very good, sir. I'll relay your message." The major-domo's face was impassive.
    "And thank the duchess for her tasty tea," Venus offered.
    "She'll be pleased you enjoyed yourself, my lady." Oliver played proxy for his mistress with suave civility.
    "Give her a further warning," Jack added, hoping to curtail any additional