Mischief by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

three seconds and took a deep breath. When he lifted his lashes he saw that Imogen was watching him with a fascinated expression. Miss Waterstone,"
    he began with grim determination. I am trying to employ reason here."
    You're going to help me, aren't you?" She started to smile.
    I beg your pardon?"
    You've changed your mind, haven't you? Your sense of honor has won out." Her eyes glowed. Thank you, my lord. I knew you would assist me in my plans." She gave him an approving little pat on the arm. And you must not concern yourself with the other matter."
    What other matter?"
    Why, your lack of direct experience with bold feats and daring adventure. I quite understand. You need not be embarrassed by the fact that you are not a man of action, sir."
    Miss Waterstone"
    Not everyone can be an intrepid sort, after all," she continued blithely. You need have no fear. If anything dangerous occurs in the course of my scheme, I shall deal with it."
    The very thought of you taking charge of a dangerous situation is enough to freeze the marrow in my bones."
    Obviously you suffer from a certain weakness of the nerves.
    But we shall contrive to muddle through. Try not to succumb to the terrors of the imagination, my lord. I know you must be extremely anxious about what lies ahead, but I assure you, I will be at your side every step of the way."
    Will you, indeed?" He felt dazed.
    I shall protect you." Without any warning, Imogen put her arms around him and gave him what was no doubt meant to be a quick, reassuring hug.
    The tattered leash Matthias was using to hold on to his self control snapped. Before Imogen could pull away, he wrapped her close.
    Sir?" Her eyes widened with surprise.
    The only aspect of this situation that truly alarms me, Miss Waterstone," he said roughly, is the question of who will protect me from you."
    Before she could reply, he crushed her mouth beneath his own.

Chapter 3
    Imogen stilled. For an instant all her senses seemed to collide, producing a dazzling chaos. She had always prided herself on the strength of her nerves. She had never suffered from an attack of the vapors, never felt faint, never succumbed to light-headedness or a giddy sensation. But at that moment she felt utterly dazed.
    Her breath caught in her throat. Her palms were suddenly damp. Her thoughts, which had been quite lucid only a second before, were now in a shambles. Everything around her appeared to have gone suddenly askew. She shivered and then felt a delicious, almost feverish warmth spread through her.
    If she had not been positive that she enjoyed excellent health, she would have thought she was ill.
    Matthias groaned and deepened the kiss, crushing her closer to his hard, unyielding body. She felt his tongue trace her lips and realized with a shock that he wanted her to open her mouth for him. Intense curiosity swept over her. Tentatively, she parted her lips. Matthias's tongue surged between them.
    Shocked by the intimate kiss, Imogen went weak at the knees.
    The world spun around her. She gripped Matthias's shoulders very tightly, afraid that she would fall if he were to release her.
    But Matthias made no move to set her free. Instead, his arms tightened around her, pulling her so close that she could feel the alarming bulge in his snug breeches. She knew that he must surely be aware of her breasts pressed against his broad chest. He shifted slightly, bending her backward. One of his booted feet slid between her legs. She could feel the fierce strength in his thigh.
    Sensations flowed through Imogen, wild, turbulent feelings that were unlike any she had ever known. She was not entirely without experience, she reminded herself in a desperate bid for sanity. But there was no denying that not even Philippe D'Artois's practiced kisses or Alastair Drake's chaste embraces had tumbled her senses into such shimmering disarray.
    Passion. This was true passion at long last. A thrill of fiery excitement unfurled within Imogen.
    With a soft,