Ruthless Charmer by Julia London Read Free Book Online Page A

passionate love to her. He wanted her all to himself, and at this moment, he didn't give a damn what that said about his character or his actions almost two years ago. He wanted her so badly, had wanted her for so long now, that sometimes he actually felt paralyzed with a longing he could hardly contain. That didn't stop him from feeling like a traitor to Phillip, even now, but he couldn't make himself care any longer.
    He just wanted her.
    Claudia was in deep trouble. Oh, yes, very deep. Ocean deep.
    She swirled the contents of her goblet with one hand and watched his fingers caress the lines on the palm of her other as he pretended to read it, the skill dubiously gained during a particularly memorable trip to Madrid some years ago.
    She had tried to remain aloof from the arrogant rake, but he had to go and be insufferably clever and charming and witty, and good God was he handsome! Ah, but she knew what he was about. At five and twenty, she was well acquainted with the signs of subtle seduction—reading her palm, indeed! It galled her to think that she might still succumb to such adolescent games!
    "Ah. See this line? It means you will love well and be well loved in return," he said, and lifted his raven eyes to hers.
    "Rather, you wish that's what it meant."
    "You've no idea how much," he easily agreed, and dropped his gaze to her palm again as he languidly traced the line with the tips of his fingers, his touch feather light. Her skin tingled deliciously, and she recalled. Beatrice Heather-Pratt, the wife of the invidious Viscount Dillbey, whispering to her, 'Wo man can pleasure a woman like Kettering—dear me, what that man can do with his hands!" This, she had said breathlessly to Claudia as she tried to adjust her coif, having just come from the closed morning room at a Harrison Green party. She and Beatrice had been standing along one wall, both of them surreptitiously watching Kettering saunter across the crowded room like a bantam cock upon his exit from the very same morning room.
    "And this line means you will live a long life, apparently with many grandchildren to comfort you in your old age."
    Her skin was on fire.
    "What nonsense, your palmistry!" she scoffed, and withdrew her hand.
    "Perhaps, but I think there is something to be said for it. After all, one's skin reveals many things about one's character."
    Her scalp prickled; she took a gulp of wine. "By one's skin?" she asked, feeling a little light-headed.
    "Yes, indeed." He leaned forward, only inches from her face, and peered closely. "For example, the fine lines around a woman's eyes," he murmured, lifting his hand to brush her temple, "tell a man that she likes to laugh, that she is happy." Heat shot down Claudia's neck and into her chest as he traced a line around the corner of her eye. "And the fine lines around her mouth," he continued, his gaze and his finger dropping to her lips, "tell a man when she is not happy." He touched the corner of her mouth so lightly that Claudia's pulse was suddenly racing. Impossibly, he leaned closer. He meant to kiss her. Her mind screamed to pull back, but Claudia froze, unable to stop him, wanting him to touch her with his lips—
    "Pardon, monsieur."
    Claudia started, her cheeks flaming, but Julian calmly leaned back and removed his hand from her cheek, his gaze still riveted on her lips. "Oui?"
    The innkeeper reported something in rapid-fire French.
    "Merci," Julian said, his gaze still locked on her. "It would seem the Maiden's Heart is ready for boarding."
    "Oh! That's very good news," she blustered clumsily, and looked down as she tried to fit her hand into a glove that Julian had somehow coaxed off her. The innkeeper said something more, and by the time Claudia had managed to stuff her hand into the tight kid leather glove, Julian had come to his feet, was shoving a hand through the thick tousle of his hair as the innkeeper walked away. He regarded her rather sheepishly. "We've a bit of a problem, I'm