Free Some Like It Wicked (Hellion's Den) by Alexandra Ivy Page A
Authors: Alexandra Ivy
shifting so he could view the door, he watched as she entered with a younger woman and a turbaned matron. A rueful smile curved his lips as he noted the plain blue gown and how her hair had been hastily knotted at the back of her head. Clearly Jane Middleton had not devoted her hours to dazzling him with her beauty, he acknowledged. He would wager his last quid that she had waited until the last moment to pull on a gown and dash from the house.
The realization should perhaps have been annoying. Without undue arrogance he was well aware that many women dedicated hours to their appearance in the mere hope of capturing his roaming gaze. He was, after all, Hellion.
But rather than being irritated, he discovered his smile widening at her disregard for his opinion. She challenged him in a manner he had never before experienced.
Hearing a faint chuckle at his side, Hellion reluctantly turned to discover Biddles regarding him in open amusement.
“What is so humorous?” he demanded.
“Merely that you are quite convincing in your role as a prospective suitor. I have never seen you so . . . eager.”
For the first time in a decade Hellion was forced to battle an urge to blush.
“Five thousand pounds can make any gentleman eager,” he retorted with a defensive stiffness.
“As you say.” The amusement remained annoyingly intact. “Shall we join her?”
“We?” Hellion frowned. He might dearly enjoy the company of Biddles, but not when he possessed an opportunity to secure a moment alone with Miss Middleton. “I do not need you to hold my hand. I am quite capable of conducting a flirtation without your assistance.”
Biddles gave a derisive sniff. “As appealing as the notion of holding your hand might be, dear Hellion, I was thinking more in terms of charming Miss Halifax. I have reason to believe that she harbors a suspicion of my intentions toward Miss Middleton.”
Hellion chuckled at the hint of pique in his friend’s voice. “Biddles, anyone of sense harbors suspicion of you.”
“Very amusing,” he retorted dryly. “I fear her wariness may prove to be a hindrance to my investigations.”
“Ah. And you hope to charm her suspicions away?”
Biddles made a wretched attempt to appear humble. “Well, it is one of my finer talents.”
“Along with modesty,” Hellion mocked. “Let us go.”
Not bothering to wait for his preening friend, Hellion moved with purposeful steps toward the woman who had settled in the shadows of a corner.
More than one hand reached out to attempt to detain him but he easily shrugged them aside, his gaze never wavering from that dusky, elfin countenance. He was almost at her side before she at last sensed his approach and turned to regard him with wide eyes.
With his most potent smile Hellion reached to bring her fingers lightly to his lips. “Miss Middleton.”
He convinced himself that a telling shiver raced through her at his touch, but there was nothing to detect upon her tranquil countenance.
“Mr. Caulfield, what a delightful surprise,” she murmured.
“A delight, indeed.” He stepped closer than precisely proper. Instinctively his blood heated at the warm, spring scent of her. “I had begun to give up hope you would make an appearance.”
With a tiny tug she freed her fingers from his grasp. “I fear I became involved with negotiations for a plot of land and was quite late in returning home.”
He arched his brows in genuine surprise. “You left me waiting while you haggled for a parcel of land?”
That smile that illuminated her entire face abruptly appeared. “It was a very important parcel of land.”
“Shrew,” he chided, although he could not prevent his own lips from twitching. This woman appeared to be an expert in deflating a gentleman’s pride. Thankfully he possessed more than his fair share of arrogance. His gaze swept over the tiny features, easily noting the strain she was battling to hide. “You seem tense. Is anything the
The realization should perhaps have been annoying. Without undue arrogance he was well aware that many women dedicated hours to their appearance in the mere hope of capturing his roaming gaze. He was, after all, Hellion.
But rather than being irritated, he discovered his smile widening at her disregard for his opinion. She challenged him in a manner he had never before experienced.
Hearing a faint chuckle at his side, Hellion reluctantly turned to discover Biddles regarding him in open amusement.
“What is so humorous?” he demanded.
“Merely that you are quite convincing in your role as a prospective suitor. I have never seen you so . . . eager.”
For the first time in a decade Hellion was forced to battle an urge to blush.
“Five thousand pounds can make any gentleman eager,” he retorted with a defensive stiffness.
“As you say.” The amusement remained annoyingly intact. “Shall we join her?”
“We?” Hellion frowned. He might dearly enjoy the company of Biddles, but not when he possessed an opportunity to secure a moment alone with Miss Middleton. “I do not need you to hold my hand. I am quite capable of conducting a flirtation without your assistance.”
Biddles gave a derisive sniff. “As appealing as the notion of holding your hand might be, dear Hellion, I was thinking more in terms of charming Miss Halifax. I have reason to believe that she harbors a suspicion of my intentions toward Miss Middleton.”
Hellion chuckled at the hint of pique in his friend’s voice. “Biddles, anyone of sense harbors suspicion of you.”
“Very amusing,” he retorted dryly. “I fear her wariness may prove to be a hindrance to my investigations.”
“Ah. And you hope to charm her suspicions away?”
Biddles made a wretched attempt to appear humble. “Well, it is one of my finer talents.”
“Along with modesty,” Hellion mocked. “Let us go.”
Not bothering to wait for his preening friend, Hellion moved with purposeful steps toward the woman who had settled in the shadows of a corner.
More than one hand reached out to attempt to detain him but he easily shrugged them aside, his gaze never wavering from that dusky, elfin countenance. He was almost at her side before she at last sensed his approach and turned to regard him with wide eyes.
With his most potent smile Hellion reached to bring her fingers lightly to his lips. “Miss Middleton.”
He convinced himself that a telling shiver raced through her at his touch, but there was nothing to detect upon her tranquil countenance.
“Mr. Caulfield, what a delightful surprise,” she murmured.
“A delight, indeed.” He stepped closer than precisely proper. Instinctively his blood heated at the warm, spring scent of her. “I had begun to give up hope you would make an appearance.”
With a tiny tug she freed her fingers from his grasp. “I fear I became involved with negotiations for a plot of land and was quite late in returning home.”
He arched his brows in genuine surprise. “You left me waiting while you haggled for a parcel of land?”
That smile that illuminated her entire face abruptly appeared. “It was a very important parcel of land.”
“Shrew,” he chided, although he could not prevent his own lips from twitching. This woman appeared to be an expert in deflating a gentleman’s pride. Thankfully he possessed more than his fair share of arrogance. His gaze swept over the tiny features, easily noting the strain she was battling to hide. “You seem tense. Is anything the