Free Pure Temptation by Connie Mason

throat noisily. “I think we’ve conversed enough for one day. You’re tired. You should rest and get your strength back. You’ll need it when I introduce you to society. I predict you’ll be an instant success. An original. We’ll have you married in no time. Tomorrow we’ll discuss current events and literature. A woman should know just how far to go before a suitor is turned off by her intelligence.”
    Moira turned and fled. It was a long, long time before breath and awareness returned. By that time she was safely in her chamber, where Jack’s magnetic presence could not tempt her. Jack Graystoke was too intense, too bold, too handsome. She was no match for him.
    During the following days, Moira was put through a test of sorts by Jack and Lord Fenwick. She was brought abreast of current affairs, practiced pouring tea, grilled on etiquette and proper behavior with the ton. To Jack’s delight, he found her well-versed on a variety of subjects and intelligent enough to pick up quickly on those she was not familiar with.
    During this period, a dressmaker had been engaged to sew Moira a complete wardrobe. Two day dresses arrived within a week, with the promise of three ball gowns to be delivered in time for Moira’s introduction into society. The day dresses were lovelier than any Moira had ever owned, andshe wondered where Jack got the money to pay for them. She hoped it wasn’t from Lady Victoria.
    To Moira’s vast relief, she and Jack were seldom alone. If Spencer Fenwick wasn’t with them, either Pettibone or Jilly was in attendance. Two weeks after she arrived at Graystoke Manor, Jack announced that she was ready for dancing lessons. When Moira arrived in the drawing room for the first lesson, she was surprised to see Pettibone seated at the out-of-tune pianoforte and the rug rolled back.
    The first lesson was a disaster. With Jack’s strong arms around her and the heat of his body assaulting her, Moira couldn’t concentrate on the steps. Even when the dance steps parted them, she could still feel the warmth where his hands had rested on her body. When he introduced her to the waltz, she became so rattled that Jack threw up his hands in despair.
    “What’s gotten into you, Moira? A graceful creature like you should be able to pick up the steps without difficulty.”
    “Don’t scold her, Jack,” Spence chided. “Moira’s done better than either of us has a right to expect. She’s a country girl, not gentry.”
    Jack stared at Moira, seeing much more than a simple country girl. Her beauty outshone the brightest star, and her intelligence was as keen as his. Moira puzzled him. She was like no poor farmer’s daughter he had ever seen. He was convinced she could hold her own with any highborn lady of his acquaintance. Moira was an enigma, Jack decided, and he envied her former lovers.
    Moira’s heart beat a rapid tattoo as Jack continued to stare at her. What was he thinking? she wondered. Wasn’t she proving amusing enough? The thought that he was grooming her for another man made her strangely uncomfortable.
    “Can we continue tomorrow?” she asked, shaken by her thoughts. “I’ve had enough lessons for one day.”
    “Of course,” Jack agreed, “we’ll continue tomorrow. Dancing will be easier once the cast is removed from your arm.”
    He watched her walk away, struck anew by her beauty. It occurred to him that he should be grateful to Lady Amelia for throwing Moira into his path. He was enjoying this little charade immensely. Spence’s two thousand pounds were as good as in his pocket.
    “You seem quite taken with Moira,” Spence said, watching Jack closely. “Beware, Jack, the lady has a way about her.”
    Dragging his thoughts back to his friend, Jack sent Spence an amused look. “Don’t worry about me, Spence. Moira represents two thousand pounds, the exact amount you’ll owe me when she bags a rich husband. She will, you know. With our backing and her natural beauty, how can she