Once Upon a Rake by Samantha Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

before he had
the chance to escape. Up close, those thin lips were almost succulent and
slightly glossy. As if on cue, her tongue darted out to lick her bottom
lip—just the tiniest suggestion of a pink tongue as it swept over it and
vanished into her mouth again. Heat rushed through him and centred downwards.
She released a breathy sigh and her vanilla fragrance curled itself around him.
    A booming voice cracked the
moment, declaring the stop. Lucian jerked his head up and thrust her back,
almost sending her stumbling again and forcing her to grapple at his sleeve. He
cursed inwardly, made sure she was steady on her feet and reached out of the
window to open the door. Once safely on the platform, he offered her his hand
and aided her down. All the while he forced himself to draw in deep breaths in
an attempt to rid himself of the constriction in his lungs—and elsewhere—and to
dissipate the infernal scent of her. Even the thick aroma of the train could
not penetrate it.
    Ellie took a moment to
smooth her hands down her skirts, adjust her bonnet and peer around. “How far
is the factory from here?”
    “A mile.”
    “Shall we walk?”
    “I’d intended to get a carriage.”
The streets of Caldton would be busy and hardly the sort of place for a lady of
Ellie’s ranking. Besides they would have to slip down Harefield Lane which
would be lined with beggars.
    “Let us walk.”
    He’d have been inclined to
ignore her plea had she not slipped her arm through his. The oddest thing
happened. The word no vanished from his vocabulary and instead he found himself
replying with, “As you wish.”
    Lucian rolled his eyes at
himself. Too much work and smoke had addled his wits. That was the only
explanation. It had nothing to do with the odd tingling sensation having this
woman on his arm created. Why, he’d certainly had far more exotic and enticing
creatures on his arm.
    Releasing a lengthy sigh, he
escorted her out of the train station and onto the busy street. Carriages
rattled by and he eyed one longingly as they started their journey to the
factory.
    On foot.

Chapter
Five
    Smart, not pretty
    It was true. Eleanor had seen pyramids and exotic
creatures. But none of these sights or creatures fascinated her quite as much
as the hustle and bustle of the town. To see people rushing about on their
business and the tall brick buildings with the blackened evidence of industry
clinging to their walls made her want to burst out in excited chatter. Not that
Lucian would tolerate that, she thought with a smile. She had realised she was
annoying him quite early on in the journey and had no wish to aggravate him
further. Otherwise he might change his mind about showing her the factory.
    Industry was so interesting.
The way machinery had taken over the role of man and could create such vast
quantities of items amazed her. Towns like Caldton were dominated by industry.
Every man, woman and child depended on it. It might not be beautiful like Paris
or breath-taking like Egypt, but there was something elemental about such a
place—a place built on hard work and ambition. It fairly buzzed through the
air.
    As did it through her. She
felt as if she were tingling all over from having her arm looped through
Lucian’s. When they passed by a rough bunch of fellows, he drew her closer and
if she had been inclined to do so, she might have swooned.
    Eleanor stole a glance at
him. He had placed her by the side of his face that had been untouched by the
fire. Why had mama not told her he had been hurt in the factory fire? Had he
been hurt anywhere else? It annoyed her, but she couldn’t help feel pity for
him. It must have been excruciating. Lord Rushbourne hardly deserved her pity
or even her generous temperament today, but excitement had made her forget the
anger she had nurtured over the years and she was loath to aggravate him, not
when she hoped to persuade him to listen to her ideas.
    He led her across the
cobbled road, pointing out a pile