Free My Lord Eternity by Alexandra Ivy Page A

against the wall with Lucien standing directly before her and his hands planted on each side of her head.
    One moment she had been slipping on her shawl, preparing to leave for her nightly visit to the streets, and the next she had been swiftly maneuvered toward the wall by an angry gentleman who was currently regarding her with smoldering golden eyes.
    â€œNo, Jocelyn,” he gritted out between clenched teeth.
    With an effort Jocelyn gathered her composure. After a restless night, followed by a long day brooding upon the two thieves who had so rudely intruded into her home, she had been determined to shake off the lingering unease.
    Certainly she had been unnerved by the strange thieves. And even more so by the mysterious note they had left behind. But she could accomplish nothing by cowering in her house and fearing every small noise.
    She had already learned her lesson in attempting to hide from life. After her scandal, she had done her best to disappear. For weeks she had remained in Surrey, rarely leaving her chambers except when she was certain she would be alone. She had wanted only to flee the pain and embarrassment somehow.
    But as the long, dark days had passed, she slowly realized that she was being ridiculous. Surely she possessed more courage and worth than to dwindle to an old, bitter spinster with nothing but regret to fill her memories?
    Perhaps the future that she had thought would be hers was gone, but that did not mean she could not find a purpose to her days.
    She would face the world bravely. She would help others. Her life would be filled with more than shame and fear.
    So, ignoring the temptation to remain comfortably at home and forgetting the danger that lurked just outside the door, Jocelyn had finished her dinner and collected her shawl from the foyer. She had not expected Lucien to appear just as she was stepping toward the door, or that he would so neatly trap her.
    â€œI am going, Mr. Valin,” she warned, attempting to ignore the proximity of his large form. Not an easy task when she felt cloaked in his fragrant heat. Or when the astonishingly beautiful countenance was so close that her fingers itched to reach up and test the smooth bronze of his skin. “And there is nothing you can do to halt me.”
    â€œAre you so certain?” A dangerous glint entered the golden eyes. “I could lock you in your chambers until you regain your senses. Or better yet . . .” His gaze deliberately lowered toward her mouth. “In my chambers.”
    Jocelyn struggled to breathe. She had promised herself she would not react to this man’s obvious appeal. Heavens above, she had sworn to forbid him even near. Unfortunately, while her mind might readily acknowledge the danger sizzling in the air, her body was not nearly so wise.
    â€œMr. Valin.”
    â€œLucien,” he firmly corrected her. “Or Luce, if you prefer.”
    â€œMr. Valin,” she repeated, only to discover her courage faltering as he slowly began to lower his head. “Oh, very well . . . Lucien,” she hurriedly amended, not willing to risk another of those disturbing kisses. The very fact that she was finding it difficult not to lean toward that male form warned her that prudence was preferable to pride. “I must discover if any of the women were harmed.”
    â€œI can discover any information you might desire.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy?” The elegant features hardened with impatience. “Why are you being so stubborn?”
    Her eyes darkened with an unconscious vulnerability. “Because I learned long ago that I cannot hide from unpleasantness. To cower in fear behind closed doors is no life. I would rather confront my fears, and even danger, face-to-face.” She reached out to place her hand upon his arm. “Lucien, I will not live in a prison of my own making.”
    An oddly arrested expression settled upon his countenance. Almost as if her words had reached