Free Enchanted by Your Kisses by Pamela Britton Page B

proving Nathan Trevain a spy. Revenge. Satisfaction. Perhaps even redemption with society.
    Be brave she repeated to herself as she went down to meet him before they departed for the duke's. Her palms were sweaty. And her hands shook. And she wasn't at all sure she could face the man without going at him with her nails. She curled her fingers into her palms just to safeguard herself against the urge.
    "Mr. Trevain , good evening," she said, her tone even although her jaw felt all but locked shut.
    He stood by the window in the drawing room, his scar in shadows cast by the candles. She could do this, she told herself, heart pounding, but gracious, this evening he looked every inch the spy. Or was that her own cynical assessment? She narrowed her eyes as she studied him. He wore dark clothes. The better to skulk around the city at night, she surmised. His breeches were black, a severe fashion faux pas, not that he appeared to care. Perhaps he had an appointment tonight to break into somebody's home. Perhaps her and her father's home.
    "Lady D'Archer ," he said, his expression one of concern and. . .pique? Yes, he was piqued. Well, good. She would pique him until he turned blue in the face.
    "I confess myself relieved that you agreed to see me tonight."
    She would wager he was.
    "Yes, I do beg your pardon for being less than social. However, I was rather ill, or didn't Phoebe explain that to you?"
    "Oh, she explained it," he murmured, but his eyes told her he plainly didn't believe it.
    She felt her eyes narrow. "Well, that is all behind us, for we are here now, and I am set to go to your uncle's with you."
    He stared, his eyes probing her eyes intently. What he saw she had no idea. Truth be told, she feared he could read every angry thought she had about him on her face.
    "You look lovely," he offered.
    "Do I?" she found herself snapping. Lovely enough to seduce?
    His eyes traveled down the length of her, and was it her imagination, or did they warm? "That color suits you well."
    Yes, no doubt he enjoyed the modest neckline. And no doubt he hoped the stays would release easily in the event he wished to kiss her in that most tender of spots.
    She colored, clenched her hands. Never. Never would she allow him such a liberty.
    "Yes, well, thank you." She gave him what she hoped was a smile, though she knew it was tight at best. "Shall we be on our way?"
    She thought she saw his eyes narrow, realized she needed to be more careful. It wouldn't do to anger him now, not when she most needed to get close to him.
    Still, it was hard. She attempted conversation a few times on their way to his uncle's, but her answers came out short, terse, even to her ears. She wasn't sure if Nathan noticed. Honestly, the evening had already begun to blur.
    A line of carriages had already formed outside the duke's home, suggesting that this would be much more than just a small dinner party. She wore gloves tonight; her hands were sweaty beneath the white material. She tried to calm her shaking limbs, wondered if she'd bitten off more than she could chew with her plan, then glanced over at Nathan Trevain .
    Helios.
    She straightened. No. She could do this. Taking a deep breath, she allowed him to help her down a few minutes later, reluctantly placing her hand upon his forearm as he led her up the steps to the duke's home.
    The sudden brightness of candles nearly blinded her as she stepped through the open door. They were everywhere, lighting the place as brightly as the sun. A gray and white marble floor, so polished that it reflected the image of those candles, echoed the sound of their footsteps. Cherry wood furniture, rare for its red wood, decorated the hall.
    Couples were gathered in an elegant tan and white room to her right. Gilt frames surrounding mirrors and portraits conveyed an instant sense of elegance and extreme wealth. Her attention, however, was pulled away from the room's decor by the instant drop in the level of conversation. She eyed the