Free To Tempt A Rogue by Adrienne Basso Page B

Though protected by a solid wooden door, both women instinctively took a step back as the ferocious noise drew closer.
    No longer caring about how cold and wet she felt, Harriet started to calculate how quickly she and Kate could run back down the stairs without slipping. But even if they managed to reach the open courtyard, where could they hide from this growling beast?
    There was however, no opportunity to put any plan in motion. The labored screech of a rusty, seldom used hinge was the only warning given as one of the heavy wooden doors slowly cracked open.
    Kate’s dire predications and gloomy warnings had sparked Harriet’s imagination. She was unsure exactly what she was expecting to see awaiting them on the other side, but the apparition that appeared made the breath catch in her throat.
    It was a man. A young, extraordinarily handsome man. He was tall, well over six feet, with broad shoulders and a solid, muscular build. She judged his age to be near her own, twenty-eight. He had an iron jaw, bold cheekbones, full sculpted lips, and strongly marked eyebrows that were the same raven black color as his hair.
    In one hand he held a huge torch high above his head. It gave off great plumes of black smoke that puffed and billowed and encircled him like a devilish halo. The uneven glow of the flickering flame gave his features a mysterious, almost sinister look.
    He was wearing nothing but black trousers, black knee high boots and a floor length dressing gown of brilliant red silk. It was fastened at the waist, yet hung open down to his bare chest. Harriet felt her cheeks grow warm as she stared at the shapely muscles that were covered with a filigree of fine dark hair.
    She opened her mouth to speak, then gulped, trying to force the air into her lungs. Recovering slightly from her initial shock, Harriet lifted her gaze. It was a mistake. Their stares locked and her heart skipped a beat. Those dark eyes seemed to be mocking her, as they studied her face and form with a thoughtful intensity Harriet found decidedly uncomfortable.
    The cold, wet flesh on her neck shivered and she had a sudden understanding of how a defenseless animal felt when confronting danger.
    Steady, Harriet told herself. She had barely managed to get her nerves under control when out of the corner of her eye she saw a whirl of black fur charging towards them. Without any warning, the animal snarled, then lunged forward. Harriet braced herself for the impact, but miraculously the beast stopped. She glanced down and saw the man held the animal by the scruff of its neck.
    The man looked at her for a long moment, bleary-eyed and angry. He braced himself against the wall as he struggled to keep the barking dog under control. “Get inside. Quickly. If he gets out there is no telling when he’ll return or where he will run.”
    â€œWe can’t go in there!” Kate said desperately.
    â€œWe must,” Harriet insisted, though she was far from eager to step closer to the man or his dog.
    â€œI can’t.” Kate made an odd, choking noise and Harriet glanced nervously towards the maid. She panted and shook like a terrified hare desperately struggling to outrun a ravenous wolf. What small stain of color that had remained in the older woman’s face washed from her cheeks.
    â€œ ’Tis Lucifer himself,” Kate whispered. “Lord Jesus, save us all.” Then her eyes rolled up, her lashes fluttered wildly and she crumpled to the ground.
    â€œKate!” Harriet caught the maid with a startled cry. She swayed back and forth, trying to plant her feet more firmly in a desperate attempt to support Kate’s weight before they both tumbled to the ground.
    â€œWhat did she mutter?” the stranger asked. Harriet’s head snapped up. “How can that possibly matter? For pity’s sake sir, I need your help, or else I’m going to drop her on this hard, filthy floor.”
    â€œIn case you failed to