Free Rogue for a Night by Jenna Petersen Page B

them.”
    Lucinda barely contained her sigh of relief. “Well, perhaps that is how we should all be. A coincidence is sometimes just that.”
    Jane tilted her head and her stare seemed to pierce Lucinda’s skin and go all the way to her very soul. She didn’t appear judgmental, just curious, as if she were trying to solve a riddle. Her intense scrutiny made Lucinda shift in her chair and her heart beat all the faster.
    Finally, Jane shrugged. “You may be correct in that, my dear. In our Society, too often there are coincidences turned to damaging rumor. But you know, Rage is a very handsome man. Many a woman in your station has commented to me on his finer qualities.”
    Perhaps Jane meant that comment as a comfort, and Lucinda knew she should be more concerned that Jane was aware that she had an interest in Ronan… but instead she felt… jealous . “Other woman have spoken to you about him?”
    Jane nodded. “Many, actually. He has a quality about him that is so different from many of the men they know. I think he is a fascination.”
    Lucinda pursed her lips. “I see.”
    At her tone, Jane’s brow wrinkled. “I only say that because I think no one could blame you if you felt an attraction to him.”
    “Oh, some could,” Lucinda murmured, then blushed. “ If I were to feel such an attraction, I mean.”
    Jane stared at her. “Lucinda-”
    “There would be consequences to such a thing,” Lucinda interrupted. “And it isn’t as if I know the man that well. Handsome or not, attraction or not, there are other things to consider.”
    Jane nodded. “Yes, I suppose that is true, especially since you have children. But I have learned from very personal experience that what others think or do or say really doesn’t matter when it comes to matters of the heart.”
    The heart. Lucinda shut her eyes. In all honesty, she wasn’t certain if what was happening between her and Ronan had to do with the heart, or just the lusty demands of a long-denied body.
    “And as for knowing him,” Jane said with a shrug. “Any time I have seen you two together since your arrival, you two seem to have an easy rapport. Since you’ll be here for a while longer, it seems the perfect time to become better acquainted.”
    Lucinda set her tea cup down and got to her feet. “Goodness Jane, you are creating a situation where there is none. I do like Mr. Riley, I admit. He is an interesting companion, but I-”
    Jane raised her hand. “You needn’t say more. I pried and it was not my business.” She stood and reached her hands out to take Lucinda’s. “I only want you to be happy, however you find that emotion. And I hope that if you need a friend to listen to you, you will think of me.”
    Lucinda drew a long breath. Jane was only trying to be helpful. There was no reason to behave otherwise. She squeezed her sister-in-law’s fingers gently.
    “I know you are a great friend to me,” she reassured Jane. “And I do appreciate your kindness and your concern on my behalf. But I’m afraid I must find my own way.”
    Jane nodded but she didn’t seem reassured. “Of course.”
    “Now I believe I will retire to my room for a bit. I find myself tired and perhaps a nap will help.”
    “Whatever you wish, Lucinda,” Jane said as Lucinda made her way to the parlor door.
    Lucinda smiled, but the expression fell as she stepped into the hall. Jane’s words mirrored Ronan’s. Whatever she wished… well, what if she didn’t know what she wished?
    She moved up the stairs, her mind racing with each step. Thoughts of Anthony, thoughts of Ronan, thoughts of Nicholas’s reaction if he knew what she had done…. Thoughts of disappointing others, of bringing harm to her children, of becoming too entangled with a man who had and could only offer her brief pleasure. These were thoughts she had debated before she made love to Ronan, but now they all seemed much louder, more intense.
    So intense that she did not notice a person come up behind