Free Just One Kiss by Samantha James Page A

daresay every young lady in London was half in love with him."
    Morgan stiffened. He had no wish to hear tales of his brother's prowess with the female gender.
    But Elizabeth didn't seem to notice. "At first I couldn't believe he actually fancied me," she went on. "Me, can you imagine? Why, I've always been more country mouse than London miss."
    Morgan was rather stunned. Didn't she know she was beautiful? Oh, not in the ordinary way. But she was a beauty nonetheless.
    She stopped suddenly, her expression rather forlorn as she contemplated her glass. "Oh, dear," she murmured. "It seems I need more brandy." She held it out once more.
    Morgan didn't move. His regard sharpened. Her voice sounded slightly different. Why, if he wasn't mistaken, he'd say she was—
    "Feeling lazy today, are you? Well, then, I'll simply fetch it myself."
    She rose, only to sway dizzily as she began to straighten. She would have fallen if Morgan hadn't moved like a streak of lightning, catching her beneath her arms. He stared down at her. He was right—she was drunk! God, if only he could laugh! Yet all he could feel was her body against his, warm and soft, the undeniable swell of her breasts against his chest.
    As soon as she was steady, he released her and stepped back.
    She smiled across at him. "Oh, dear. I feel rather strange. Won't you please fetch my brandy?"
    "No more for you," he said firmly. "You've had quite enough, Elizabeth."
    Her smile withered. She looked as if she'd been struck. To his shock, her mouth began to quiver. "You hate me, too, don't you?"
    Bewildered, Morgan spread his hands wide. "Of course not—"
    "You do. Just like Nathaniel."
    "Oh, come now. Surely Nathaniel doesn't hate you—"
    Quite suddenly, she began to cry. "Of course he does. And he—he really isn't coming, is he? Oh, the—the wretch! I believed him! I-I was truly convinced he wanted me to be his wife. And now everything is ruined!"
    Morgan had no patience with women's tears. He sought to reassure her. "You were duped, Elizabeth. You aren't the first. Unfortunately, you'll probably not be the last either."
    She paid him no heed, only buried her face in her hands and sobbed harder.
    At his sides, Morgan's hands opened and closed. He swallowed, and swallowed again.
    He'd thought himself distanced from such feelings. Yet a voice deep in his brain reminded him that once… once he'd been capable of such things. Of comfort. Of tenderness. But he'd lost all that, thanks to Amelia. He would never trust again, least of all another woman.
    Yet the sound of Elizabeth's sobs was like a knife ripping into his gut. And it was that which swayed the battle.
    His arms stole around her slowly, as if he were very uncertain. But Elizabeth's response was immediate. She ducked her head beneath his chin and clung to the lapels of his jacket. It seemed totally illogical that she should find comfort in his arms, yet she did. And indeed Morgan found it odd as well. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
    Perhaps because they'd both been fooled by Nat.
    He stroked the valley of her spine, a soothing, monotonous motion. "Stop this, Elizabeth. Stop this now. Things will look better in the morning, I promise you."
    She turned her face in to his shoulder and wept; hot tears scalded the front of his jacket. This time Morgan didn't hesitate. He swept her into his arms and climbed the stairs to her room.
    By then, her tears had distilled to a watery sigh. He lowered her slowly to the floor. "Here," he whispered. "It's time you were in bed."
    She made no effort to move, nor to undress. Indeed, she appeared numb as he stepped behind her. His fingers went to the myriad hooks at the back of her dress. Any second now he expected her to whirl on him in indignant rage for daring to undress her. But she only turned listlessly as he urged her around with a touch on the shoulder.
    Holding his breath, he tugged her gown down over her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. He relieved her of her