[Samuel Barbara] Lucien's Fall(Book4You) by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page A

his hair, loose and long and black on his cambric-clad shoulders, that alarmed her. "You look like a savage," she said disdainfully, but there was an unaccustomed roughness to her voice.

    His eyes, almost turquoise in the bright light, blazed. "And how would you know?
    How many savages have you seen?"

    "None." She lifted her chin. "Nor have I seen elephants from India, but I assure you I’d recognize one if I did."

    He laughed, tossing his head with impudence. A small, hot ripple touched her.

    Jonathan rode smoothly between them, effectively dousing the rising tide of heat in Madeline’s chest. "Might we join you?" he asked.

    Madeline wanted to refuse, and she could see by the amusement in Lord Esher’s devilish expression that he not only knew it but knew the reason why: that she was moved by him, and that he provided an altogether unpleasing contrast with the marquess.

    "I’m afraid you’ll find us dull," she said levelly. "We’re only chatting and riding calmly. No wild races—of which you seem overfond, Lord Esher."

    "I? No, ’tis Jonathan who goads me."

    His horse moved restlessly and Lord Esher moved easily with the beast, bringing him back under control. "Jonathan could not bear that I bested him yesterday, and begged a rematch."

    The marquess spoke. "We’d be delighted, of course, to have you ride with us. I’m afraid I’d rather lost myself in regaling Lady Madeline with tales of my travels."

    "Oh? What travels, sir?" Jonathan rode ahead, alongside the marquess.

    With some annoyance, Madeline realized she’d lost the battle to rid herself of the rakes. Not only that, but the road was narrow, leaving room for only two horses to ride abreast. With Jonathan taking up the attention of the marquess, Madeline was forced to ride alongside Lucien Harrow.

    "Do you mind so much?" he asked quietly enough for her ears only. "Jonathan desperately wants to ingratiate himself with Beauchamp for a business proposition."

    "You mistake me, Lord Esher," Madeline replied, her chin high. "It is always a pleasure to share the day with guests who might not be accustomed to our country lanes."

    His grin was crooked and knowing. "Perhaps I was mistaken, but didn’t you call me a savage only a moment ago?"

    Steadfastly, Madeline avoided the lure of looking at him. "You’re improperly dressed for a gentleman."

    "Ah, but I am no gentleman. And even when I pretend to be so, I am not very proper about it."

    Madeline lifted an ironic brow. "At least you’re honest."

    "Only when it suits me."

    For a moment, Madeline regarded him. If he used honesty like any other tool in his quest for seduction, then he must believe somehow she needed to know he planned to seduce her, that a direct approach would be more effective than another method. What benefit could there be to it?

    She frowned a little. It seemed important to stay abreast of his motives as well as she was able; he was too clever by half and she was rather too sharply attracted to him. A slight carelessness and Madeline could easily be lost.

    As if he’d been waiting for her conclusion, he looked at her with no expression at all, and said not a word. She flushed and faced forward.

    The road, following the river, broadened. With relief, Madeline rode up beside the marquess and Jonathan, who were discussing again the Italian countryside. Madeline seized upon a bit of overheard conversation from the other two men. "Have you been to Pompeii, Lord Esher?" she tossed over her shoulder.

    "Yes."

    She glanced at him, but he seemed disinclined to say more. "You did not care for it?"

    "On the contrary, I cared very much for it." He turned his head. "It moved me as much as anything I’ve seen in my life."

    A bitter applause was on Madeline’s lips—wasn’t that just the sort of calculating thing a rake would say to engage the emotions of his quarry?—when Jonathan let go of a derisive laugh.

    "It put him on the melancholy, he means. I vow he was drunk for days