Free The King's Courtesan by Judith James

lithe, graceful, yet there was something almost wolfish about him. It was easy to imagine him strapped in armor atop a war horse like some vengeful knight of old. He was familiar somehow, as if he might have walked into her home straight from one of her dreams.
    She watched him, mesmerized, as she wove though her guests to greet Charles. He wore a rich black suit with a white-plumed slouched hat. A matching officer’s sash served as a sword belt, and through slashed sleeves she could see crisp white linen showing at the wrist and neck. In a room of gaily bedecked courtiers he looked elegant and dangerous. It suited him wel . Her heart sped up and a guilty flush warmed her cheeks as she imagined him naked.
    He turned to speak to Charles and she got a good look at his features, and for one brief moment her heart stood stil .
    He had a harsh beauty set off by a faded scar that creased his cheek. His hair was swept back off his face in a neat queue tied with a length of black ribbon. It gleamed in the candlelight, burnished gold with streaks of dark and light.
    Flickering shadows from hundreds of tapers accentuated chiseled features: strong cheekbones, a firm jaw and a ful , almost sinful-looking mouth. I wonder what color his eyes are?
    She had almost reached Charles and she rushed the last few steps to greet him. He caught her and hugged her and bussed her cheek. “You’ve done us proud indeed this evening, Miss Mathews. And you are as pretty as the first day of summer.” She beamed with delight, his words making al her hard work worthwhile. He released her and removed his hat, then gave her an elegant bow. “As you can see, I’ve invited a friend. I pray you have room for one more. My dear, may I present to you a dashing fel ow, both brave and bold, Captain Robert Nichols.” He placed an arm around her shoulders and for some reason, the overly familiar public gesture made her feel slightly embarrassed. She fought the urge to shrug him off.
    The captain stepped forward. His face looked grim, as if he were in the presence of something distasteful. She flushed, surprised at her awkward reaction. What did she care what a disapproving stranger thought? Her life was ful of them.
    Let him think what he pleased.
    Unaccustomed modesty overcome, she greeted her new guest with a playful smile. “Welcome, Captain Nichols. It’s an honor to have you join us for an evening of celebration.
    Please treat our home as if it were your own.” She held out her hand, forcing him to kiss it.
    He tucked the hat he was holding under his arm and took her dainty hand in his large one. Her heart beat violently in her chest. And then he bent to kiss it. His fingers were cool beneath her own and his breath warmed her skin as his lips brushed her knuckles. Two of his fingers lingered a moment, pressing the soft underside of her wrist. She shivered and pul ed her hand away, fil ed with dangerous new sensations. He rose to his ful height. A stray lock of hair had escaped its bounds, softening his features.
    “It’s very kind of you, madam, to welcome a stranger so warmly.”
    His rich voice was deep and mel ow. She raised her eyes to his. He was regarding her intently. Riveted, she returned his searching gaze. There was something sad about him, and something frightening. Despite a reassuring air of competence and strength, he struck her as a troubled soul.
    His eyes were green. A haunting shade of olive-green with flecks of black and silver that captured and mesmerized.
    She imagined loneliness and sorrow and great pain hidden in their depths. She blinked and looked away. He was a very handsome man.
    “Hope, my dear. We have duties to attend. It’s time you escort me through the salon to greet our other guests. Then everyone can relax and enjoy the evening.” Released from whatever spel had bound her, she stepped back to the relative safety of Charles’s arms, for one wistful moment wishing she might be the virtuous seductress. The kind with