Adele Ashworth by Stolen Charms Read Free Book Online

the most unusual woman I have ever known, Natalie Haislett.”
    “And you’ve known many, I’m sure,” she insisted without thinking.
    His smile broadened as he stepped directly in front of her, backing her up against the table and trapping her by placing his arms on each side of her waist to rest his palms on the wooden surface.
    “I’m sure that’s all very much exaggerated,” he whispered huskily.
    She swallowed hard and whispered in return, “Vivian told me your reputation for being a rake is accurate.”
    “Vivian lied.”
    She was straining so hard to keep from touching him that she was now nearly lying on the table.
    “Do you know what I like most about you, Natalie?”
    She could feel the warmth of his body penetrate the fabric of her clothing, feel the hardness of his bare chest next to her own, the strength of his arms surrounding her, and still she couldn’t look away. “Obviously I don’t.”
    Without warning, he leaned over and brushed his mouth against hers, moving softly back and forth, back and forth. Instinctively, breathlessly, she closed her eyes and succumbed to his touch as he ran his lips across her flushing cheek.
    “I like the way you kiss.”
    Her eyes flew open.
    “And ever since that very first time,” he whispered in her ear, “I’ve dreamed of doing it again.”
    She nearly fainted. In all of her prayers, the one thing she’d asked for the most was that he would completely forget the kiss they’d shared at the masked ball years ago, or at the very least, be a gentleman and never bring it up. That awful night in the garden. How she wished that had never happened.
    “I need to leave,” she said shakily, pushing her good hand between their touching chests.
    Unaffected by her uneasiness, he gradually stood back. “Let me see the cut first.”
    She quickly moved away from him, removed the towel, and raised her palm to his view. “It’s just fine,” she said brightly. “What time should we meet on Friday?”
    “Come here.”
    She shook her head.
    “I’m not going to ravish you, Natalie, I just want to look at your hand.”
    Before she could reply, he took two steps in her direction, reached for her, and pulled her against him. With her injured palm in his, he looked at it closely. “It should heal without scarring but it will be quite sore. I’d keep it clean and covered for two or three days.”
    She nodded and pulled away. “I’m sorry about this.”
    He frowned. “You could have been killed in there. I should be the one who’s sorry.”
    “I hardly think a little cut like this would kill me, sir.”
    He raked his fingers through his thick, black hair then put his hands on his hips and stared her straight in the eye. “Several of the knives I have hanging on my wall are from countries you’ve probably never heard of, Natalie, and several of them were at one time covered with poison that doesn’t always come off with a washing. They’re made purposely to kill with just a little nick to the skin. I nearly collapsed from fright when I saw your hand because I would never want to explain to your overbearing mother exactly how you came to be dead in my town house at six in the morning.”
    She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to suppress a giggle.
    “Most gently bred ladies would have fainted from that explanation,” he said with amazement.
    She grinned. “It’s not the thought of dying—it’s the thought of being found.” With shining eyes, she whispered up to him, “My mother is my biggest fright as well.”
    He gave her a broad, disarming smile. “I’ll send you word about Friday—”
    “Through Amy, my maid,” she cut in. “She’s been helping me plan this adventure for two years now.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Two years?”
    Natalie stopped short. Her excitement was overflowing, and she needed to keep it in check. “I mean, we’ve been planning what to tell servants and friends, so nobody will question my absence. I’m essentially