Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager - By Sarah Mallory Page 0,68

Bath society.

Fustian, she told herself savagely. Only a nodcock would believe it would do anything other than make me look foolish!

She looked about her. She must find Jasper and have it out with him. Now.

* * *

Another perambulation of the ballroom convinced her that the viscount was not present and she made her way to the Octagon. That, too, was crowded, but still no sign of him. Her last hope was the tea room. That was the least crowded of all, for the dancing was still going on and the waiters had not yet completed setting out the refreshments. One or two couples stood about the room and Susannah was about to give up and return to the ballroom when a movement on the balcony at the far end of the room caught her eye. Someone was on the upper level, and even in the shadows she recognised the familiar form of Lord Markham.

Susannah hurried up the stairs to the landing. The light from the three grand chandeliers did not reach this far and the soaring pillars threw further bands of shadow across the narrow gallery.

‘Lord Markham. I have been looking for you.’

He turned at her voice and she saw the flash of white teeth as he smiled at her.

‘Really? I came up here to escape the crowds. I am honoured that you have sought me out.’

‘You should not be. I have come to pick a crow with you!’ She began to pace up and down, too angry to keep still. ‘Do you know that everyone is saying we are betrothed?’

‘Are they?’

‘Yes, they are,’ she said furiously. ‘Perhaps you can tell me how that rumour came about?’

‘Your spending the whole evening with me at the Fancy Ball, perhaps?’

‘That was to protect Florence House. You should have scotched this rumour.’

He spread his hands.

‘I beg your pardon, but I was not aware of it.’

‘Well you are aware of it now, and I demand you put a stop to it.’

He caught her hand as she went to pass him.

‘Pray do not put yourself into a passion over such a little matter, Miss Prentess.’

‘It is not a little matter,’ she flashed at him, tearing her hand free. ‘It is—it is a slur on my good name!’

His black brows went up.

‘That you should be considered a fit wife for a viscount? I see no slur there.’

‘This is all your fault,’ she railed at him, too furious for reason. ‘First you betray a confidence and then—’

With a growl of exasperation he caught her arms and turned her towards him, giving her a little shake.

‘How many more times do I have to tell you I did not give away your secret? And no more have I set it about that we are to be married. Thunder an’ turf, what would I want to do such a thing for?’ His hands slid up to her shoulders, she could feel their heat through the thin silk of the tiny puff sleeves.

‘I don’t know—to make mischief, perhaps!’

His thumbs moved gently over her collar bones, caressing the bare skin. It was strangely arresting. Her mind might still be angry with him, but her limbs were locked, she was unable to move away.

‘I am not in the habit of making mischief of that sort.’

His low voice resonated through her body. A tingle ran down the length of her spine. Gently he pulled her back against the wall, where the shadows were deepest. She should protest, push him away, run back to the safety of the crowded ballroom.

She did none of these things. His hands continued to hold her shoulders. He was standing so close now that she could smell the spicy tang of cologne on his skin. Her breasts seemed to swell and pull her forwards, responding to the attraction of his lean, muscular body.

He put the fingers of one hand beneath her chin and forced her to look up at him. His face was in shadow, but she could sense his eyes on her face, feel them burning into her very soul, laying it bare. It was as much as she could do not to whimper in fear.

‘S-stop this,’ she stammered. ‘Let me go.’

In response he lowered his head and touched her lips with his own. She found herself reaching up, standing on tiptoe to prolong the contact.

‘You may leave whenever you wish.’

The words whispered over her skin, their meaning lost. She closed her eyes, shivering with delight as his kisses strayed to her neck. Her head went back and she