Tempting a Devil by Samantha Kane Read Free Book Online

anymore. If the rumors were true, he and his friends certainly had cut a swath through the underbelly of London society when they were younger. Now his friend Sharp had married, but society loved to speculate about Sir Hilary and his work with Bow Street, and the far more secretive work he did for mysterious associates. Society dearly loved to gossip about them all. Roger’s name had been linked with several different ladies since his return from the Continent earlier in the year. But one thing was agreed upon: Roger Templeton was still worthy of the Devil sobriquet. No money to speak of, a scandalous reputation, and not an ounce of shame. He was truly ideal for her. Just associating with him was enough to set tongues wagging and mark her as a loose woman. It was utterly delicious.
    If only Harry could convince him to act the Devil with her in private. If she could get him alone, that is. His behavior had been perfectly correct with her ever since that night he’d rescued her from Dumphrees. After his skillful and surprisingly enjoyable seduction in the garden, he’d taught her a lesson, whether he knew it or not. Instead of showing her how foolish it was to tempt a Devil, he’d shown her how perfect he was for her fall from grace.
    He really did have an equitable temper with everyone else, but her fumbling attempts at seduction just seemed to irritate him. Underneath it all, she could tell he rather enjoyed it, however, or he wouldn’t seek her out. Wherever they were, Roger always made sure to position himself near Harry. Oh, he always acted surprised when she took the bait and sought him out, “chasing him” as he put it. But he very carefully made sure he was in a position to be chased. He clung to his delusions of indifference, however, which were becoming very tiresome. The ton wasn’t laughing at her. They were laughing at Roger’s continued refusals when they all knew as well as she that he was going to let her catch him. He was her lover in all but deed already. He just wasn’t ready to admit it yet.
    Harry was going to have to use all the weapons at her disposal tonight. Faircloth had tried to see her again twice this week. She’d instructed her footman not to let him in. Finally she’d authorized a large draft of money to be sent to him. He’d been quiet since. From experience she knew she had about two to three weeks before he would go through the money and be back demanding marriage again. She didn’t have time to waste. By the time Faircloth came out of his drunken stupor, she needed to be the talk of the ton, the scandalous widow carrying on with a Devil. She hated to have to do it to poor Roger, but she had Mercy to consider.
    When he spun her around in the dance, Harry pretended to trip and ended up pressed full length against Roger. He retreated so fast he lost his footing, and before she knew what had happened, they were on the floor, Roger on his back, wheezing as he tried to catch his breath, and Harry on top of him. She was fine as Roger had borne the brunt of their topple.
    “Oh, dear,” she muttered. She levered herself up with her arms, but their legs were tangled and he was pinning her skirt to the floor. She wiggled, trying to free it, and Roger made a strange sound. She looked down and her eyes met his just as his hands grabbed her waist to stop her movements. He looked a little panicked. “Roger,” she cried out. “Are you all right?” She hadn’t meant to injure him. That certainly wouldn’t do her any good. She intensified her efforts to get up and Roger growled weakly at her through clenched teeth, his breathing still labored.
    Beside them a gentleman laughingly said, “I don’t think your efforts are helping his discomfort, Lady Mercer. Perhaps if you lay very still for a moment, he’ll recover enough to come out from beneath your skirts.”
    What a thoroughly disgusting thing to say . Harry frowned at the commenter, unable to recall his name. She’d turned him down