Chapter 1 #2
She found herself resisting a smile that fell by the wayside as his dark eyes met hers.
They seemed to weigh her worth as if her heart was perched on Anubis’ scales.
A shiver traveled down her spine, igniting a long-forgotten fuse.
Her lips parted. All this time spent among the French had driven her to madness.
That was the only possible explanation for her finding the duke attractive, of all things.
Dukes were not for her to think of. They were as distant as the heavenly bodies, casting their benevolent light on pure whim.
Not for her to be admired and certainly not…
wanted. But she could not stop herself from thinking: if the duke was bold enough to lock himself in a room with her, why should she bother controlling herself?
As if in response to her abysmal thoughts, the duke frowned and bent closer until he was a mere palm’s width away from her face.
The butterflies in her stomach took off in a flurry.
Her breath tightened. She should have been scared, and she was—but only of breaking the connecting thread of his gaze.
It did things to her, things she tried to forget existed ever since the last time it led to disappointment.
“Now that we are here, I hope you will forgive me, but I must make sure that you are capable of the task at hand.” His low voice reverberated through her.
“Oh?” she breathed, leaning into him. She was right: the masquerade affected everyone, including herself.
Her mask made her braver, recklessly so, enough to take on even a duke.
If he wished to take her, he could try. May closed her eyes, her breathing turning shallower as she prepared for the onslaught of his lips.
What would his kiss be like? Would he be as clinical as he appeared, a true man of business, or was the glimpse of his untamed nature she’d caught true?
An opportunity to discover such things was sure to never come again for the likes of her.
She would certainly enjoy it before she slapped him senseless.
But the kiss never came. Instead, the duke cleared his throat and moved away. His once-more measured voice quieted the torrent of her wild thoughts.
“As I’d specified, it is not I who is to be the subject of your testing, My Lady, but my sister’s intended.”
When Elias asked his friend to set up this meeting, he was hopeful rather than optimistic.
His particular purposes required a lady both opportunistic and enchanting, with natural aristocratic bearing, not some crude seductress.
Unfortunately, it had been a long time since he himself had acquainted with ladies of such peculiar expertise.
It was Huntley, the club’s resident Don Juan, who set up this meeting, inciting Elias to wariness.
Refined women weren’t exactly his forte.
However, now he would freely admit to being impressed with his friend’s recommendation.
The lady before him was certainly enchanting. What little description Huntley gave him certainly undersold the reality. She had brown, neatly pinned-up hair, a heart-shaped face with a Greek nose, and full, luscious lips that parted slightly.
She’d called him “milord,” briefly taking him aback before he’d taken in her costume and realized she was playing at being a servant.
Elias couldn’t help smiling slightly—she was hardly convincing.
People were often intimidated by Elias, so he easily recognized the tension in her shoulders.
Yet there was a defiance to the rise of her chin, which was utterly unbecoming of a servant.
It also exposed the delicate line of her neck.
Elias caught himself staring and, worse, leaning closer.
Take hold of yourself, man. Her keen green eyes widened as he moved away.
It only gave him a wider view of her. The dim candlelight cast its warmth onto the delicate fabric of her gown, illuminating the way it clung to her waist and draped over her curvy hips.
But it was that gaze of hers that held him fast still.
There was a challenge in her eyes, one he liked more with every passing moment.
He did not expect to find himself so tempted this evening.
Oh, she was perfect. Lord Spencer wouldn’t know what hit him.
“It is not I who is to be the subject of your testing, My Lady, but my sister’s intended.”
“I beg your pardon?” Her clear surprise held such easy charm. Elias was not surprised that Huntley had failed to outline the entirety of Elias’s specifications. Some things were better conveyed in person.
“My sister is recently engaged. Yet despite my sister’s so-called…
love match, I cannot help but doubt the gentleman’s intentions.
I am sure you would not lay blame at my door for being cautious.
It is inevitable, being who I am. People from all walks of life cannot help but try their luck—” Elias shrugged.
As long as he was the sole subject of their cheating schemes, he could take it.
“—but when it comes to my little sister, I am determined not to let them succeed. Thus, his intentions must be tested. Will he remain faithful to my sister, or will he be easily swayed by a rich and handsome temptress?”
The lady coughed. “What is it about me that announces affluence to you, Your Grace?”
Affluence was irrelevant. Her good breeding, however, was unmistakable. Elias noticed the way she regarded him, like an equal, as if weighing his worth against her interest. Oh, yes. He knew a lady when he saw one.
“Your choice of costume clearly announces the manner of person you are, My Lady. Unlike most tonight, you favor being discreet over gaudy. You do not betray your status, but I can tell you recognize quality.”
The enchantress had a melodious laugh. “All this, from a lady’s maid’s dress?”
“You may have chosen a lady’s maid dress as your costume, but your finely stitched collar betrays you.
” His sister loved embroidery on clothes.
Elias knew all too well what it cost. “That, and your scrutinizing gaze. I’d say it is well warranted, as, should you accept, we would have to become quite close.
” Elias had the perfect cover story in mind.
The lady shifted in her seat and averted her eyes. Elias frowned. Perhaps she thought his proclamation of her affluence meant he intended to underpay her. Well, that was easy to remedy.
“As for the riches, trust that you will be paid handsomely: two hundred and fifty pounds for a month’s work.”
That got her attention.
Elias did not resist a smile at the sight of her astonishment.
“A month?” She stared up at him incredulously.
“Yes.” His mouth curved in distaste. “The wedding is a little over a month away. But I trust that with your talents, it should prove sufficient.”
The lady frowned. “How would you have me sway him when he has a duke’s sister in his grasp?”
“I am certain an opportunity will arise once he hears I’ve reduced my sister’s dowry. More so, once I welcome my third cousin, heiress to my second cousin’s estate of fifteen thousand a year, to stay with us. I shall trust your plentiful charms to sway his attentions from thereon out.”
“I see. And how convincing must I be?”
“I will not let any harm befall you, My Lady.” He knew well enough what she was asking. “If you are threatened at any point, I shall intervene immediately. As long as I have proof, I am more than capable of stopping my sister’s wedding entirely on my own.”
She nodded. “In other words, you would have me as your sword.”
“And you would have me as your shield. A most enviable position, I assure you.” He paused, arming himself with a provoking smile to see if she would fill the silence. It almost became real when she did not swallow the bait.
What admirable self-control. It only added to her attractiveness.
“Do give it some thought,” he continued. “Should you make up your mind, send me a message at this address. Your deposit will be waiting for you. A quarter upfront, the rest to be paid to you upon completion.”
The calling card disappeared into the lady’s hand.
“I will give it every consideration.” Was she convinced?
Truly, her tone gave nothing away. She straightened out her dress as she rose, and he moved to stand alongside her.
“Thank you for the opportunity, Your Grace, but I believe you’ve threatened my reputation enough for one night. ”
“I now see that my friend was not joking when he said you take privacy as seriously as I. However, I can’t help but feel you’ve left me on an uneven footing. After all, I did share my own Christian name. As my future cousin, am I really not to know yours?”
She visibly hesitated before giving in. “My given name is May.”
“It truly is a pleasure, Lady May.”
“Uh… thank you.”
Elias had to stifle a laugh as Lady May moved to the door. And here he thought she was immune to being flustered by him. He supposed he still had some sway.
Her fingers were already tightened about the door handle when he stalked after her. “Haven’t you forgotten something?”
“What?” She turned toward him with startled, mesmerizing eyes.
He leaned toward her, noting the way her back pressed into the oak door. Long-forgotten tension shot through him once more at the sight of her breathless mouth.
“The key, Lady May.” He raised it up between them. Her fingers shot out toward it, wrapping around the brass, but he did not relinquish his hold, not yet. A part of him enjoyed having her so close.
“Thank you,” she breathed, tugging the key with sudden vigor he did not think to resist. Then, with a turn of the lock, she was gone.