Authors: Madeline Hunter
By Design (46 page)
She twisted out of her lover's hold and stretched to grope for the card, almost falling off the chaise longue. She appeared childishly clumsy suddenly, and a bit helpless, and Adrian experienced a pang of pity. He picked up the card and placed it in her fingers. She squinted, and gestured to her partner to bring a candle close.
“Mister Adrian Burchard,” she read.
“At your service, Your Grace. If we could speak privately, please.”
Gathering her drapery, she rose to her feet. With the breeding of centuries stiffening her posture, she faced him.
“I think that I know what service you offer, and you have wasted your journey. I am not going back with you.”
Of course she was. “Again, I ask to speak with you privately.”
“Come back tomorrow.”
“I have come the last two days, and now tonight. It is time for you to hear what I have to say. It is time for you to face reality.”
Anger flashed in her eyes. She advanced toward him. For a moment she appeared quite formidable. Then her foot caught in the flowing silk. She tripped and hurtled forward, right into his arms.
He grappled with the feminine onslaught, gripping her soft back and bottom. She wore no stays or petticoats under that red silk. No wonder her blond Arab gleamed with expectation.
She looked up in dazed shock, her green eyes glinting. Her smile of embarrassment broadened until he expected her ears to move out of the way.
She was drunk. Completely foxed.
A Bantam Book / January 2001
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eISBN: 978-0-307-48263-1
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Look for Madeline Hunter's nationally bestselling: “Seducer” series …
