Free Sinful Seduction by Kate Benedict Page A

stopped dressing and looked at her bowed head.
    â€˜What is it?’ he asked. ‘What’s wrong?’ And then he saw the blood and realised what it meant.
    Taking her under the chin he turned her to face him again. ‘There’s nothing to be ashamed of,’ he said softly. ‘You gave me the greatest gift a woman could give a man. Thank you.’ He smiled. ‘And next time it will be easier for you.’
    Relief washed through her. He didn’t despise her after all, and he wasn’t just going to use and cast her away. There was going to be a ‘next time’! Her heart was singing as she dressed and even the waiter’s knowing looks when he brought the bill - or Mrs Hardcastle’s scolding when she finally got home - didn’t upset her.
    In bed beside Emily’s sleeping body Maggie savoured every smile and word and touch all over again. Her last thought before she drifted off to sleep was that she must be mad to get involved with the master’s son - but oh, what a glorious madness it was!
    Â 
    The next ten weeks were the happiest in Maggie’s life. Even Lady Georgina’s constant carping and criticism couldn’t dent the bubble of contentment in which she floated through her days, buoyed up by secret touches and glances and kisses stolen in dark passageways.
    She and Jeremy grasped every opportunity to make love again and again, sneaking down to the library when the rest of the household was asleep, to indulge their passion in fleeting moments of exquisite pleasure. Twice more on her monthly half-day they met to walk in the park, go to the music hall - and slake their appetites in ‘their’ little room above the oyster bar - and she returned home, her body aching pleasurably from Jeremy’s attentions.
    But all too soon his leave was up, and instead of sharing one last night together, Maggie found herself pressed into dancing attendance at his farewell dance. Biting her lip she stood against the wall of the ballroom, watching as he waltzed with the simpering daughters of his mother’s friends and, even worse, being forced to listen as the older women speculated on which one he would eventually choose as his bride. It wasn’t fair!
    Lady Georgina glanced in her direction and clicked her fingers. ‘Fetch my Kashmir shawl from the bedroom, girl - and don’t dally.’ Maggie bobbed a curtsey and hurried off, glad of an excuse to leave.
    The shawl was tossed carelessly over Lady Georgina’s bed, and Maggie picked it up, enjoying the smooth feel of the rich, silky material. On impulse she flung it over her own shoulders and admired her reflection in the mirror. She could still hear strains of music from the ballroom below, so humming, she closed her eyes and danced a few light steps, twirling round so that the shawl flared out around her in a billow of colour - and came to an abrupt stop as she collided with someone. Her eyes opened in dismay, but she found herself looking up at Master Jeremy.
    â€˜Wh-what are you doing here?’ she demanded. ‘You should be down in the ballroom. What if anyone notices you’re missing?’
    â€˜Let them,’ he snorted. ‘Even a gentleman’s got to use the necessary sometimes, hasn’t he?’ He chuckled. ‘Not that any of those prim little misses would ever dream of admitting it; for all they know a man could be made of wood from the waist down. Now, you on the other hand...’ He pulled her into his arms, kissed her, and she could feel his thick rod pressing against her belly.
    For a moment she weakened and allowed him to urge her towards his mother’s bed, then she came to her senses and pushed him away. ‘I daren’t!’ she gasped. ‘You mother is waiting for her shawl. I must go.’ Ripping it from her shoulders she flung it over her arm and fled towards the door, but he caught her arm and pulled her round to face him