Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh Read Free Book Online Page B

it imperative to keep his eyes on her face.
    Her lips were full, her mouth on the wide side. It was probably one of the most kissable mouths his eyes had ever dwelled upon. No, it was definitely the most kissable. It was one more feature to add to a beauty that was already perfect.
    “I beg your pardon,” he said, stepping back at last so that he could make her a slight bow. “I am Merton, at your service, ma’am.”
    “I knew that,” she said. “When one sees an angel, one must waste no time in discovering his identity. I do not need to tell you mine.”
    “You are Lady Paget,” he said. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”
    “Are you?” Her eyelids had drooped half over her eyes, and she was regarding him from beneath them. Her eyes were still amused.
    Over her shoulder he could see couples taking their places on the dance floor. The musicians were tuning their instruments.
    “Lady Paget,” he said, “would you care to waltz?”
    “I would indeed care to,” she said, “if I had a partner.”
    And she smiled fully and with such dazzling force that Stephen almost took another step back.
    “Shall I try that again?” he said. “Lady Paget, would you care to waltz with me ?”
    “I would indeed, Lord Merton,” she said. “Why do you think I collided with you?”
    Good Lord.
    Well, good Lord !
    He held out his arm for her hand.
    It was a long-fingered hand encased in a white glove. It might never have wielded an axe, Stephen thought. It might never have wielded any weapon with deadly force. But it was very dangerous nonetheless.
    She was very dangerous.
    The trouble was, he really did not know what his mind meant by telling him that.
    He was going to waltz with the notorious Lady Paget—and lead her in to supper afterward.
    He would swear his wrist was tingling where her hand rested on his sleeve.
    He felt stupidly young and gauche and naive—none of which he was to any marked degree.
    The Earl of Merton was taller than Cassandra had thought—half a head or more taller than she. He was broad shouldered, and his chest and arms were well muscled. There was no need of any padding with his figure. His waist and hips were slender, his legs long and shapely. His eyes were intensely blue and seemed to smile even when his face was in repose. His mouth was wide and good-humored. She had always thought that dark-haired men had a strong advantage when it came to male attractiveness. But this man was golden blond and physically perfect.
    He smelled of maleness and something subtle and musky He was surely younger than she. He was also—and not at all surprisingly—very popular with the ladies. She had seen how thosewho were not dancing had followed him wistfully with their eyes during the last two sets—and even a few of those who were dancing. She had seen a few glance his way with growing agitation as the time to take partners for the waltz grew close. Several, she suspected, had waited until the last possible moment before accepting other, less desirable partners.
    There was an air of openness about him, almost of innocence.
    Cassandra set one hand on his shoulder and the other in his as his right arm came about her waist and the music began.
    She was not responsible for guarding his innocence. She had been quite open with him. She had told him she remembered seeing him yesterday. She had told him she had deliberately discovered his identity and just as deliberately collided with him a short while ago so that he would dance with her. That was warning enough. If he was fool enough after the waltz was over to continue to consort with the notorious Lady Paget—axe murderer, husband killer—then on his own head be the consequences.
    She closed her eyes briefly as he spun her into the first twirl of the dance. She gave in to a moment of wistfulness. How lovely it would be simply to relax for half an hour and enjoy herself. It seemed to her that her life had been devoid of enjoyment for a long,