Free The Dangerous Love of a Rogue by Jane Lark Page A

and her gaze locked with his.
    Those eyes. Who was seducing who?
    His gaze fell to her lips.
    “I have no idea. I think I am insane.” Her words kicked him firmly in the chest, and a soft ache hovered in his middle, as his gaze lifted back to her eyes.
    The girl was a breath of fresh air, a light summer breeze. Sunshine.
    “Could you not sleep, Miss Marlow, for thinking of me?” He laughed, feeling hope swelling inside him.
    She blushed slightly. She had spent the night awake then. He hoped he’d hovered in her dreams as she had in his.
    “So where do we go from here?” He encouraged her to take another step towards commitment.
    “Where…?” A frown marred her beautiful brow. She had genuinely not thought about his offer then, merely their embrace.
    “What next?” Drew clarified.
    She shrugged, a dainty little gesture on her slim shoulders. “It should be nothing.”
    “But it will not be nothing, because you want more, don’t you?” She needed more persuasion. Drew leaned forward and gripped her hand as it held her reins, holding both her and the animal steady. “Where will you be tonight?”

    Her gaze clung to his. Maybe her common-sense told her there should be nothing more but other parts of her, that he had sway over, bid her answer. “I am attending Lady Frobisher’s musical evening.”
    Musical evenings were a rogue’s curse, he could do nothing untoward when seated in a row of chairs. The game was off then, for tonight.
    Nor could he meet her again in the park, once could be deemed accidental, but twice would draw attention. Without doubt the groom would mention this encounter to someone in the house.
    “Miss Marlow!” A timely call came from their rear.
    Drew glanced back. Her groom had come to retrieve his damsel from the beast.
    Drew let her hand go and straightened. “Tomorrow then, where?”
    “I shall be at the Phillips’ supper party.” Her gaze passed over Drew’s shoulder to the groom.
    “There then. They have a large glass house in the grounds, to the right of the house. I’ll meet you there at midnight.” Drew’s eldest brother had been at school with the Phillips’ son, he could obtain an invitation.
    Mary nodded. She had begun an intrigue. She had definitely become foolish.
    “I shall look forward to it, immensely. Until tomorrow then, Miss Marlow.” His fingers reached for hers. Instinctively she released the reins, letting him take her hand. He lifted it to his lips, turned her hand, his thumb pressing into her palm, and kissed her wrist, above her glove.
    Her heart skittered, its rhythm racing violently.
    When he let go a smile lifted his lips and glinted in his eyes but the gleam turned wicked as his gaze shifted to her groom before he turned his horse and rode away.
    Mary ached for him. She’d wanted this for a year… to give in to longing. But she should not have agreed to an assignation; it could mean nothing more than kisses.

    “Forgive me, Miss,” Evans spoke when he drew near, “you should not speak with gentlemen.”
    “I shall speak with whom I wish, Evans.” She sounded like John, and she was not normally harsh with servants.
    “Miss Marlow.” The man lifted his fingers to his cap and tipped it forward, “Forgive me, but it is my duty to inform your father.”
    “That I met a casual acquaintance in the park by chance and spoke with him? There is hardly anything to tell, Evans.” She ought to feel guilty. She did not, not yet, perhaps later.
    It was as though she no longer knew herself.
    She had lied to her family, and a friend, and now she was widening the net of deceits to the servants. It would trap her in the end if she was not careful.
    She turned her stallion in the direction of the park gates. I cannot continue this . Tomorrow must be the last time she spoke with him and allowed his kisses. Unless she chose ruin.
    Her heartbeat flickered and her stomach somersaulted. Was she fool enough to do that?
    But John had increased her dowry as a