Tempting a Devil by Samantha Kane Read Free Book Online Page A

for a dance once or twice, she thought.
    “Tinsley,” Roger said, a warning in his voice. That was his name. The rogue just laughed. Roger’s grip on her waist eased and she looked back down. His face was set in stone, his expression blank. “Ruddle, would you be so kind as to help Lady Mercer to her feet?” he asked a nearby gentleman. “Are you hurt, madam?” he belatedly asked her.
    “No, no, I’m fine,” she assured him nervously. She was suddenly aware of their audience and the spectacle they must make lying there in the middle of the dance floor. She felt her blush spread from her chest up to her ears. Before she could say anything else, Mr. Ruddle and another gentleman were helping her to her feet, which was still quite awkward. She had to roll onto her hands and knees, and try as she might, she couldn’t keep from exposing her limbs. As she was rising, she glanced down only to see her dress gaping over her bosom, exposing a vast expanse of flesh to the eyes of thecurious. While this scenario might fit in with her plans for ruination, she was mortified all the same.
    “You’ve torn your dress, Lady Mercer,” her hostess said in frosty tones. “Perhaps you should retire and repair it.”
    Harry’s blush burned hotter.
    “Well, I daresay she’s lucky she didn’t break her neck,” Sir Hilary said, pushing his way through the crowd. He reached a hand down and pulled Roger to his feet. “What were you thinking, Templeton, to fall all over Lady Mercer like that? You clumsy oaf.”
    “I tripped over my own feet,” Roger admitted flatly, his voice still a little weak. He bowed to Harry. “My apologies, Lady Mercer. Are you sure you’re all right?”
    “All right? Does she look all right?” Sir Hilary interjected before Harry could answer. He snapped his fingers at a footman. “Fetch Lady Mercer’s carriage. The poor woman has had a terrible fall.” Sir Hilary tapped his foot against the dance floor. “Madam,” he spoke sternly to Lady Tennant, their hostess, “may I recommend in future you do not polish your dance floor until it is slick as glass? We are all lucky we didn’t end up with broken ankles.” He tsked as Lady Tennant sputtered in indignation. Already the other women on the dance floor were taking their companions’ arms and clinging to them while they minced off the dance floor as if it were oiled down. “Here now, Lady Mercer,” he said, offering her his arm. “Take her other arm, Templeton, and help me get her to her carriage. We shall fetch a doctor to attend you, Lady Mercer, at once.”
    Harry was loath to interrupt his performance. He was in high dudgeon, indeed, and had quite handily made her the victim. Which was really rather sweet and underhanded, but didn’t help her in her present predicament at all.
    “Not a word,” Sir Hilary said under his breath to her as she was about to speak. She snapped her mouth closed.
    They were forced to continue the farce until she was bundled into her carriage with many apologies from Lord and Lady Tennant. Roger hadn’t spoken a single word to her since Sir Hilary had taken over. As her carriage drove away, she watched Roger limp off, getting farther and farther from her grasp. Damnation, she had to get that man into her bed.

Chapter Five
    Roger soaked his bloody knuckles in vinegar as Hil poured him another whiskey. They were in Roger’s room at Hil’s house. It was a large suite, one normally reserved for the lady of the house. But Hil had no lady and so had lent it to Roger indefinitely after Roger had returned from two years abroad. Roger was supremely grateful. He had nowhere else to go.
    Hil poked the puffy skin around Roger’s eye after he set the glass down in front of him.
    “Stop,” Roger said, jerking his head away.
    “You shouldn’t have confronted Tinsley until you were recovered from your fall,” Hil said practically. “The only reason he got in a good shot is because you were limping and still short of