Free Five Wicked Kisses - A Tasty Regency Tidbit by Anthea Lawson Page B

thing to do was discover what he wanted, quickly, and send him on his way.
    She felt as though she were balanced on a swaying bridge over a chasm. To either side lay dangerous emotions - love, despair. One misstep and she would plunge over the edge.
    “So abrupt, Juliana.”
    The sound of her name on his tongue made her dizzy with longing, with regret. She swallowed. “Would you prefer I call you my lord and offer you tea? I’m afraid I cannot.”
    He gave her a hard look. “I’m glad to see the years haven’t changed how you feel about me.”
    “They have not.”
    She let her gaze slip from his. He would think she meant disdain, but she had never hated him. Never.
    “My condolences on the loss of your mother.” His voice was not particularly sympathetic. “You were in mourning for her a rather long time.”
    Did he suspect her mother’s hand in what had happened? He had never liked Lady Tate - and the dislike had been mutual. In truth, her mother had detested young Robert Pembroke. Nearly as much as she had hated her own children.
    “Yes,” Juliana said. “Father insisted on two years of the black.”
    Two years of formal mourning. At least the terrible misery of living with her mother had ended. Coming up to London this last month had been almost worse, however, once she had realized the desperate state of their affairs.
    “Now you’re out of mourning,” Robert said, “and enjoying life in Town, I see.”
    “Not as much as you seem to be.”
    He leaned forward, with a twist to his lips - those sensuous lips that sent the ladies of the ton swooning. Juliana resolved not to think of his mouth.
    “Indeed, I’m enjoying London,” he said. “Being an earl has its advantages. In fact, I’m here to discuss one of those advantages with you.”
    Her breath caught in her throat. Was he here to suggest something scandalous?
    “I’m sure I don’t grasp your meaning,” she said.
    “Don’t you?” He tilted one eyebrow up. “Your father seems to have gotten himself into a bit of trouble at the gaming tables. However, as we’re such long-standing acquaintances, I took it upon myself to help.”
    “What has father done now?” She reached for the back of the settee, hoping Robert could not see her hands tremble. “What have you done?”
    “You’ll be relieved to hear that I’ve bought up his notes and paid off the creditors.” He smiled, without a trace of warmth. “Your father’s debts now belong to me.”
    “What?” Shock rippled through her.
    This was dreadful. To have Robert holding such power over them, after what she had done…
    He captured her eyes with his own, and his expression sharpened to something predatory. Juliana felt like a wild doe cornered by a hunter. The beating of her heart threatened to drown out all other sound.
    “I’ve spoken with your father,” Robert said. “He has agreed that you can redeem the debt from me. For a small consideration.”
    “And what might that consideration be?” Juliana’s chest tightened.
    She would be ruined, utterly, if she became his mistress. It was a terrifying, exhilarating thought, and she thrust it to the back of her mind.
    “I will hand over your father’s notes, to dispose of as you like,” he said. “After I take payment from you… of five kisses.”
    She drew in a sharp breath. It was not, after all what she had feared. What she had secretly hoped for. But of course, her father would never have consented to such a thing. Thank goodness her brother was safely away at school. She did not want him to know anything of this situation. He would only do something foolish, like challenge Robert to a duel.
    “Five kisses? How very forward of you, sir.”
    “Ah, Juliana. It is far less than I could have asked. Those debts represent a considerable sum.”
    It was true. Five kisses was a paltry payment, even considering their reduced circumstances.
    Was it possible Robert still cared for her, even after she had turned him away so