On a Wild Night by Stephanie Laurens Read Free Book Online Page A

situation had been staged with him specifically in mind owed more to his arrogance than reality.
    His prowl carried him beyond her line of sight. The crowd between them thinned; he could see her clearly, yet she didn’t turn his way. Instead, she laughed—light, airy, a sound both joyous and earthy, it carried to him. Caressed him, enticed him, as it did the other men before her.
    It didn’t matter if she’d schemed to capture his attention. She had it.
    Amanda felt him approach; like a storm sweeping in, his very nearness had her tensing. The sensation unnerved her; she fought not to whirl and face what her senses screamed was danger—if she did, she’d give her game away. Then he halted beside her, his towering figure excuse enough for her to break off her tale and glance his way.
    She let recognition flow across her face, let pleasure light her eyes. No difficulty there—he looked even more sinfully handsome in full light, in more formal attire than he’d wornthe previous night. She smiled and held out her hand. “My lord.”
    Brazenly, she left it at that—let him, and the others, make of it what they would. He took her hand and she curtsied. He raised her; eyes on hers, he inclined his head. “Miss Cynster.”
    Her smile ingenuous, she struggled to keep her fingers from fluttering in his, too wise to attempt to retrieve her hand until he deigned to let her go.
    He released her; she drew in a quick breath and launched into the introductions. “And I believe you’ll remember Mr. Carmarthen.”
    â€œIndeed.”
    Reggie favored him with a wary look and a polite nod. Dexter’s gaze lingered on Reggie’s face, then he turned it, smoothly, on her. “I admit to surprise at encountering you here. I thought, after your most recent foray into such realms, caution would . . . how does that saying go? . . . overcome valor?”
    He’s here! He’s here! And he took the bait! Her eyes locked on his, Amanda ruthlessly cut off the delirious litany; he might be here, but he wasn’t yet snared. And if she wasn’t careful, she might be the one in a coil.
    As if pleased he’d remembered their last meeting, she smiled. “I did toy with the notion of attending Lady Sutcliffe’s ball, yet”—she swept her smile over her three now earnest would-be cavaliers—“formal engagements do pall when one has spent so many years in the ballrooms.” She glanced again at Dexter. “It seems a waste not to avail oneself of the more varied divertissements offered by such as her ladyship. So much more entertaining. I daresay you find it so yourself?”
    Martin held her gaze and debated whether to call her bluff. “My tastes, admittedly, lie somewhat beyond the diversions provided by the ton’s hostesses. However, I wouldn’t have imagined such esoteric distractions would hold much allure for a young lady such as you.”
    Her chin lifted, her eyes sparkled, with challenge, withhumor. “On the contrary, my lord. I’ve a definite taste for wilder pastimes.” Her smile confiding, she briefly touched his sleeve. “I daresay you haven’t heard, living retired as you do.”
    â€œWilder pastimes, heh?” Cranbourne grabbed the opening. “Heard a tale of wild doings at Mrs. Croxton’s last night.”
    â€œIndeed?” Amanda turned to Cranbourne.
    Martin watched as she encouraged all three gentlemen to dazzle her with their wildest suggestions. He might live “retired” but he knew what he was seeing. Carmarthen was growing increasingly nervous. Yet if he, Dexter, bowed and walked away, would she continue on this path? If he declined to be her protector, would she go on without one? What sort of net was she weaving—how much was true, how much for his confusion?
    Not that it mattered; he was more than capable of dealing with her whatever tack she took. And she