Free Lady Libertine by Kate Harper Page B

talk to him at all, but, while it was true that her body was singing a very unfamiliar tune, she still seemed to be in possession of her faculties.
    ‘Nonsense.’ His voice had dropped a little, so that only she could hear him, and then, even more softly, but with a great deal of emphasis, ‘Do not dare to leave me here!’
    Lucy blinked up at him for a moment and then grinned. ‘Oh, but I must. Only consider what people will think if they see me in such a state.’
    ‘What?’ Her mother practically trumpeted from Hamersley’s other side. She was clearly annoyed that she could not hear the conversation. ‘What was that you said, Lucy? Do not mumble, girl!’
    ‘I will get you another cup of coffee,’ the earl said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder and pushing her firmly back into her chair. A shudder of delight lanced through her body at the touch, skin tingling where his fingers had pressed, warm and strong, through the material of her dress.
    Mental note , Lucy thought, dropping back down abruptly, relieved the presence of the chair meant she did not have to stand upon her wobbly legs, do not let him touch me again . It crossed her mind that perhaps she had picked up a fever on her early morning jaunt. It had been very brisk outside and she had often been told that infections could happen very suddenly, but she didn’t feel sick. In fact, she felt quite ridiculously – well, invigorated – almost.
    ‘Oh, my lord,’ Lady Landon fluttered, quite coquettish as he strode across to the sideboard, ‘you must not wait on us .’
    ‘Nonsense,’ he carried both the coffeepot and the teapot across to the table, setting them down within reach, then fetching the milk and cups. ‘Such charming company. I am delighted to wait on you.’
    Lucy found herself biting down on a smile. Really, he did flattery remarkably well, but she supposed he’d had a great deal of practice flattering susceptible females. Once again she glanced across at Phoebe, wondering if she felt the man’s charm, but her sister was merely looking sleepy, repressing a yawn.
    Hamersley sat back down once again and smiled at his companions. His eyes seemed to linger on Lucy, but she knew this was probably only fancy on her part. Perhaps the entire thing was a product of her overactive imagination, for how likely was it that a man like the earl would be sharing smoldering looks with her?
    Nevertheless, when he poured the coffee and passed it to her, his fingers touched hers and seemed to linger for a moment longer than was necessary. Once again, prickles of something that felt a great deal like desire – an unfamiliar enough sensation to Lucy, it had to be admitted – skittered across her skin and she almost spilt the contents of her cup as she jerked away.
    ‘Careful,’ he warned softly, ‘you’ll get burnt.’
    She met those brilliant green eyes and the heat returned to her face. He knows exactly what he’s about , she thought with a touch of indignation, and what he was about was teasing her.
    Naturally, her mother wasn’t going to have her stealing the attention of the most glorious catch she had had in her clutches so far this Season.
    ‘Well now, my lord, this is a very pleasant surprise. I had no idea Lord Billingsworth had invited you.’
    ‘I was a sudden inclusion,’ he said gravely.
    ‘But a very welcome one.’ Lady Landon glanced at Phoebe, who was sipping her coffee. ‘Wouldn’t you say so, Phoebe? That Lord Hamersley is a very welcome inclusion into the festivities?’
    Phoebe gave him a sweet smile. “Oh yes. Lovely.’
    He smiled at her. ‘Are there many young people invited?’
    ‘No,’ the word came out as a sigh, ‘I don’t think so.’
    ‘But how dreary for you.’
    ‘Oh, Phoebe does very well in any company,’ Lady Landon assured him, ‘She has a great deal of conversation, always interested in what others have to say.’
    Lucy met her sister’s eyes and saw a glimmer of something that looked like