The Accidental Courtesan by Cheryl Ann Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

faltered. His gaze locked onto hers. There was something in his eyes that gave her a clear indication he wasn’t just admiring an attractive woman. No, he seemed to recognize her!
    Her stomach lurched, and the room wavered.
    It was impossible he could recognize her! They’d spent perhaps ten minutes together with only a small fire to light the room. And he’d been thoroughly foxed.
    It took every bit of the training she’d received since birth not to react to his appearance, in spite of the warmth flooding across her skin with the memory of his kisses. She lifted her nose and turned away as if they were strangers.
    Several matrons walked past, and she ducked behind them like a coward. A set of doors opened to a hallway on her right. Noelle hoped it led to a hiding place.
    The matrons stopped near the doors, and she slipped into the dim light of the hallway. A quick glance behind her confirmed that she’d lost him in the crowd. Relief flooded her mind as she stumbled into the nearest darkened room. With unsteady steps, she followed the trail of moonlight seeping through the drapes to a private corner of the room, behind a large potted plant.
    Once hidden away, she closed her eyes and inhaled to steady her heart.
    So close. She let her mind drift to the moment she’d caught his eye. Had he been looking at her only out of curiosity, or had he actually thought he knew her?
    She hoped not.
    He’d barely been able to stand last night. Likely the man thought her just a dream. Still, he was watching her as if he knew her, as if he wanted her. As if he wouldn’t rest until he kissed her again.
    Noelle groaned. It had been a mistake to attend this party. She should have allowed the full Season to pass before venturing out again. By then he’d have forgotten all about her.
    Her shoulders slumped. Why couldn’t she forget him? Why did her mind have to remember his perfect jaw, his blue eyes, and that muscled chest so warm beneath her exploring hands?
    A whisper of heat brushed her ear. “I have decided to take you up on your offer, sweet.”
    Noelle shrieked and spun around, landing awkwardly against the intruder’s chest. She lifted her gloved hands to ward him off. Her fingertips ended up splayed over firm and familiar muscle beneath his open coat and waistcoat. The earl stared down at her with the same intensity that he possessed in his bedroom. As if she were a meal to be feasted upon.
    â€œSir, please. Stand back!” Her outrage was genuine. He had no right to accost her in such an intimate fashion. If only she’d not been woolgathering and had heard his approach, the window would’ve been an avenue of escape.
    He leaned back slightly and raked his gaze over her face. Her breath came out in little explosive bursts. He was too close, too all-consuming, to the point that she was certain she’d lose the capacity to breathe at all. She smelled his exotic, spicy scent, felt his warmth. Everything about him was burned, unwelcome, in her mind.
    Her limbs stiffened, and she couldn’t move.
    It was he who spoke first. He leaned down as if to take her into his confidence, with his cheek pressed lightly against her temple. “I do apologize, love. I thought after the intimacies we shared, a few whispered words in your delightful ear would be most welcome.” He lifted his head to stare at her mouth.
    He did remember her! She wanted to cry. She’d be ruined if he decided to make their association public! All she could do now was deny, deny, deny, and hope she could convince him he’d made an egregious mistake.
    â€œIntimacies?” She struggled to find a measure of calm. Difficult to do when her throat closed off and her heart pulsed so hard she was certain it would stop beating altogether.
    â€œYes, intimacies.” He grinned wickedly.
    â€œI do not know you, sir,” she protested. She was certain he could hear her lies, the guilt in her voice.