Between a Rake and a Hard Place by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online

gloves, you’ll find them hopelessly stained when you’re through,” he said. “Allow me.”
    He took one of her hands and turned her wrist up. Her elbow-length gloves were cinched tight at her wrists with a couple of seed pearl buttons. He undid them now, making sure to allow the pad of his thumb to stroke her exposed skin. Then he brought her wrist to his lips and pressed a lover’s kiss on her pulse point. Her heart was fluttering like a butterfly’s wings. One finger at a time, he tugged at the glove, finally pulling the silk slowly over her skin.
    Judging from the hitching rise and fall of her breasts, he was making her nervous. Or aroused. He’d settle for either.
    â€œI can do the other one now.” She stepped back a pace to put some distance between them, fiddled with the buttons, and removed her second glove.
    â€œSpeaking of time,” she said, though they hadn’t been, “how long will this take?” She picked up one of the Havanas and brought it to her nose for a whiff, refusing to look at him.
    He crossed over to the small liquor cabinet and poured two snifters of brandy. “To truly enjoy a cigar takes about an hour.”
    â€œSo long?”
    â€œIt’s a complicated process.” He handed her a brandy and took the cigar from her. “First the cigar needs to be cut properly. Then lit and then—”
    â€œYes, yes, I’m sure it’s all quite fascinating. Since I only intend to do this once, I don’t need to know all the details. Would you light it for me please?”
    He shrugged. “You’re missing out on the full experience.”
    â€œThat’s all right. You see, what I really want to know is…what do gentlemen talk about while they’re smoking their cigars?”
    â€œThis and that. It depends on the company.”
    â€œPolitics?”
    â€œNot as often as you might think. Even Members of Parliament prefer to confine their political wrangling to the well of the House when there’s a good Havana to be had.”
    â€œHow about religion?”
    He chuckled until he realized she was serious. “It hardly ever comes up.”
    â€œThen what do gentlemen discuss?”
    â€œRacing outcomes. Gaming news. Business ventures they are considering or seeking a partner for. Whether a new shipment of cigars has come in.”
    â€œOh.” Her shoulders sagged.
    â€œDisappointed?”
    â€œYes. When ladies gather together, sooner or later the conversation always seems to turn to gentlemen. Don’t men ever talk about women?”
    â€œQuite often.” Jonah bent to light a cedar spill on the fire. He used the long taper of wood to preheat the foot of the cigar, careful not to touch it with the flame. Then he tucked the cigar between his teeth, drawing in slightly as he continued to hold the flame near the tip.
    â€œWhat do gentlemen say?”
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œAbout women?”
    â€œIn a moment. This is a critical juncture.” If he didn’t light the cigar evenly, it would taste bitter. Since he wanted this to be a pleasant experience for her, it was important to get this right. He rolled and drew air through the Havana till the tip glowed. Then he blew a neat smoke ring into the center of the room. “There you are.”
    â€œIs that one mine?”
    â€œIf you like. Now have a seat and hold it like so.” He showed her how to balance it between her thumb and forefinger. Fortunately, the distraction spared him from answering her question about what men had to say about the ladies in their lives. Most gentlemen of his acquaintance were circumspect about their amours , but a few felt the need to boast, often with details that would have curled the hair of the lady involved. “If you wish, you can dip the end in your brandy before taking a draw. Most smokers appreciate the combination of spirits and tobacco.”
    She held the cigar out and gave