Seducing The Bride (Brides of Mayfair 1) (32 page)

Mungo nodded and folded his arms across his chest. “I’ll be beside ye before the first scream can pass yer lips, miss.”

“Wish me luck,” she said, turning toward the street.

“Good luck, then,” he said and gave her a nod.

Prudence walked to the corner, pushing up her breasts as if they were feather pillows that needed to be fluffed. She shook her hair and arranged it over her shoulders. Then she pinched her cheeks to make them rosy, though she didn’t know what good it would do in the dark.

She stood for awhile, keeping to the shadows as she watched the passersby amble down the street. A few gentlemen walked by, some looking at her with leering grins, and some ignoring her completely.

Soon a dark-haired young girl appeared on the next corner. She eyed Prudence warily from the shadows, like a frightened alley-cat looking for food. Her clothes were shabby, much shabbier than Prudence’s costume, and her face looked gaunt and smudged with dirt. She couldn’t have been older than sixteen.

Prudence wondered how long the girl had been coming to this corner. Weeks? Months? A sick feeling swam in her gut. But as the girl made eye contact again, Prudence felt the rush of promise in her heart. This could be the Atwater School’s next student.

Prudence began to stroll toward the girl non-chalantly, as if she were simply looking for a better spot to peddle her wares.

But something made her stop.

She felt a presence near her, quite close, in fact. Whoever it was, she would have to handle it like an experienced streetwalker or risk destroying her disguise. Hadn’t she done it before?

Forcing her nerves to stay calm, she turned slowly.

A man leaned back against the wrought-iron fence. He seemed to be lounging there, as if in a favorite club, with his arms folded easily across his chest and his glossy boots crossed at the ankles.

He was dressed in a fashionably cut frock coat, which looked almost black in the lamplight. His neck cloth was tied in the latest fashion and his shiny beaver hat perched at the perfect angle upon his head. Dark curly hair framed a face that could only be described as devilishly handsome.

Prudence realized that he was grinning at her. And in the shadows, his eyes—which seemed to be as black as the night around them—sparkled mischievously.

“Without appearing to be bold,” the man said in a languid voice, “may

I ask what it is you are doing?”

Prudence winked at him and shifted her shoulders. Trying to emulate Dolly’s cockney accent, she said, “Just plyin’ the trade, Guvna. And not ta worry—I likes ’em bold.”

He chuckled, saying, “Do you, now? I must say I find that surprising.”

“Ye shouldn’t be surprised, sir,” she replied. “I mean, me bein’ a trollop an all.”

“And yet I am,” he said, smiling and standing away from the fence, “for you look about as much like a trollop as I do.”

“Oh, Guvna!” Prudence exclaimed, feigning injury. “Yer hurtin’ me feelin’s, now. Be assured, sir, that I am a trollop. Of the first order.”

With a sweeping bow, he said, “My apologies, madam. I am mistaken. I did not mean to insinuate that you were anything less than Drury Lane’s most experienced, most highly regarded, most sought after trollop in recent history.”

Prudence glanced over at the girl she’d been watching on the next corner. She was ambling down the street, presumably to find a better location.

Prudence would have to move fast or risk losing her.

She smiled again at the man. “So right, sir—so right. Ye’ve hit the nail on the ’ead. And now, I must go join me friend, there. Good evenin’.”

She made to turn away, but the man’s voice stopped her, though why it should, she didn’t know. Perhaps it was the velvety smoothness of it, or the complete confidence of his tone that made her freeze as if suddenly rooted to the spot.

“But you have not given me a chance to ask for the pleasure of your company this evening. And I would so enjoy the pleasure of your company, little flower.”

The man stepped ’round and stood directly in front of her, blocking her path. He reached out to touch a tendril of her hair, and for a reason Prudence couldn’t fathom, she let him.

“You see,” he continued, gently twirling the hair around his finger, “I know your secret, Lady Trollop.”

Prudence swallowed. “My secret?”

He stepped closer.
Oh, where was Mungo? And why wasn’t she calling for his help?

But all Prudence could do was stare at this dark stranger who stood so close to her and curled her hair about his finger as if it was the most natural thing in the world for him to do.

“Right away, it was obvious to me that you did not belong here,” he began. “And it took a few moments to understand why. But now that I do, I wish to help you.”

“You do?” Prudence said, confused.

“Yes, my sweet.” He touched her face lightly with the back of his knuckles. The intimate sensation of his warm skin brushing against hers was shocking, yet exquisite.

“You see, now that I know the truth,” he said softly, “I’ve decided I would like nothing more than to oblige you by being your
first paying customer
.”

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Short Story Collections by Michelle McMaster

SUMMER PASSIONS

Seasons of Love Volume I

Three Delicious Regency Short Stories

“A lady should enjoy those hot summer nights…”

For three lovely ladies in Regency England, the long, hot summer holds the opportunity for decadent pleasures, wicked pursuits, and forbidden passion.

CUPID’S DART

The Marquess of St. Clair has long been a thorn in Daphne Summerville’s side. But when she is forced to act as his nursemaid after a bizarre accident, Daphne discovers that the Notorious Marquess has sensual talents she never knew existed.

LADY ASHTON TAKES A LOVER

Lady Ashton’s friends finally convince her to take a lover for the summer. At a wicked masquerade ball, she meets a mysterious man who fires her passions and turns her world completely upside down, threatening all she holds dear.

THE WEDDING PARTY

Jilted by her intended, Lady Althea Ramsay calls in a favor from her brother’s friend, the Duke of Wakefield. He will pose as her fiancé at a society wedding which the odious man will be attending. But Althea soon discovers that playing a part can set real desires burning in the human heart.

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AUTUMN DESIRES

Seasons of Love Volume II

When autumn leaves start to fall, passions burn like fire…

The second volume in the delightful SEASONS OF LOVE quartet features three unforgettable Regency heroines in three delectable, entertaining short stories.

THE TAMING OF MISS CAREW

Helena “the Hellion” Carew takes pride in speaking her mind, even if it sends most eligible bachelors packing. When her father loses his estate—and Helena—in a card game, she meets the brutish Lord Adrian Rutherford, the one man who has a chance at taming her.

BRANDED

Abandoned by her husband, Lady Alexandra Trent lives a quiet life in the countryside with her young son, trying desperately to forget the man who left her heart in tatters. But when Brandon returns, he awakens dangerous desires and makes a shocking demand of his wife.

THIEF OF HEARTS

Olivia and Jack are two of London’s most notorious jewel thieves. Skilled and passionate lovers, they take each other to the heights of physical pleasure, yet keep their true feelings secret. As they prepare for their next heist, Olivia discovers something about Jack that could change their lives forever.

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Seasons of Love
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About the Author

Michelle McMaster
loves writing about dashing heroes and spunky heroines in her historical romances, and is known for humorous dialogue and memorable characters. Michelle holds a degree in English Literature from Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia. She enjoys traveling, reading, quilting, and gardening. She lives on the east coast of Canada with her husband and their two dogs, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and a Border Collie mix. Please visit her website at
www.MichelleMcMaster.com
for more information about her novels and to sign up for her email newsletter, to stay informed about future new releases.

If you enjoy fast paced thrillers, Michelle McMaster also writes under the pen name Avery Holt. Check out her website at
www.AveryHolt.com
and look for her exciting
Watch Me
series.