Free When His Kiss Is Wicked by Kaitlin O'Riley

a little while. “May I get a glass of champagne for you?”
    “No, thank you,” she murmured demurely, her eyes downcast. “I would prefer punch or lemonade, please.”
    This was the type of woman he wanted, so why did he find her behavior so irritating? She was exactly what he had prescribed for himself. She did not argue, but bowed her head in deference to him. She smiled sweetly and possessed a calm and serene manner. She would never cause him a moment’s worry.
    Then, across the ballroom, he saw Colette Hamilton, and completely lost his train of thought.
    Waltzing in the arms of Jeffrey Eddington, of all people, Colette laughed at something he was saying to her and her face lit up with merriment. In that moment the differences between Faith and Colette were glaringly exposed to him. Colette’s exquisite beauty was infinitely more appealing than Faith’s plain looks, but the beautiful and lively Colette was too modern and opinionated, full of passionate ideas and determination. Her strong, spirited nature, although nowhere near to that of the impetuous Juliette, filled him with apprehension. Other emotions, some best unmentioned and under control, flooded him at the thought of her.
    He would definitely be better off with Lady Faith Bromleigh.
    Yet Lucien felt an unexpected tightening in the pit of his stomach at the sight of Colette with his best friend. Strange.
    He went to get Lady Faith a glass of punch, and for himself something much stronger.
     
     
    “You are a delightful dancer, Miss Hamilton,” Lord Jeffrey Eddington said with a seductive grin.
    “Thank you very much,” Colette replied, unable to resist his genuine charm. “You are a very fine dancer yourself.”
    Lord Eddington had somehow managed to finagle a dance with her before her Uncle Randall could protest. And Colette had been thrilled. She found that she liked Lord Jeffrey Eddington very much, in spite of his scandalous reputation. She agreed with Juliette’s appraisal of him. He had a warm and easy manner about him. He also had a way of making a woman feel as if she were the only woman in the room.
    They waltzed together quite easily, and for the first time all week Colette was actually enjoying herself. Lord Eddington made her laugh. He was irreverent and lighthearted, ignoring all the stuffy social rules that had been pounded into her head by Uncle Randall and Aunt Cecilia.
    As the last strains of “The Blue Danube” came to an end, the orchestra began readying for the next dance. Lord Eddington escorted her from the floor.
    “Would you care to rest for a bit?” he asked.
    “That would be lovely. Thank you.”
    A footman walked by with a tray of glasses and Lord Eddington took one for Colette and for himself.
    “Have some champagne,” he offered with a gleam in his eye.
    “Thank you again, Lord Eddington.” Taking the glass from his hand, she glanced nervously around the room, but did not see her aunt and uncle. They must have cornered Juliette somewhere. Relaxing somewhat, Colette sipped the bubbly liquid, feeling its coolness slide down her throat.
    Colette could not help but notice that Jeffrey Eddington was very handsome. His facial structure was noble and elegant, with an angular jaw. He had deep azure eyes, which were fringed with long, dark lashes. He had an attractive mouth, too, warm and quick to smile. Lord Eddington’s charm was just as powerfully attractive as his good looks, and she found her pulse quickening when he gazed at her.
    “You are much sweeter than your sister,” he commented in a light tone.
    “Yes, that is true. Juliette is somewhat impulsive.”
    “Somewhat?” he asked incredulously.
    “Point conceded. She can be quite a trial at times,” she corrected herself.
    “But that’s what I love about Juliette, her spirit,” he explained. “No one could, or should, ever tame her.”
    Something in his voice caused Colette to look closer at Jeffrey. She could not help but ask him, “Have you feelings