Earl of Sussex (Wicked Lords of London 0.50)

Deep and low, a noise not unlike a growl rumbled in Luke’s throat. She saw his fingers flex and she flicked him a view of her dance card. “He asked earlier this evening, before the library.”

That did not seem to still Luke’s rumblings but rather amp

lify them. “Tell him you’re too tired to dance.”

“I shan’t. It would be rude.” She sniffed then turned toward Lord Crummell.

Luke leaned in low. “You don’t want to share me, but I don’t share well either. You’re mine now, Tabbie. Only mine.”

“Since when?” she huffed, ignoring Crummell.

“Since the library. I’ve made a decision and so…”

She took a half step closer, irritation bubbling to the surface. “Well, I haven’t. I’m still deciding.” Then she turned on her heel and marched over to Crummell.

The dance was in stark contrast to the one she shared with Luke for several reasons. Lord Crummell’s movements were insecure, hesitant, and left them bumping into one another in a most embarrassing fashion. He didn’t have the commanding presence that Luke had. Tabbie tried to ignore it and enjoy herself but it was difficult to forget.

As if that weren’t enough, Luke stalked around the dance floor, looking like a large animal sighting its prey.

And other partygoers noticed his behavior. Their eyes travelled from her to him, gloved hands covering their mouths to whisper to one another.

It made her flush with embarrassment and…desire. She had seen him appraise another woman, but those had been discreet. She had only noticed because he’d been ignoring her. But this. No one in the room could mistake what he wanted. Her.

Crummell, already out of sorts, nearly tripped over his own feet as Luke stalked closer.

She was leading now, and pulling Crummell through the steps, praying for the dance to end. This evening had left her mind spinning, and she desperately needed some solitude to sort it all out. She knew that she should not allow Luke to affect her so, but his presence, as always, was overwhelming her, making her forget the good sense she was born with.

Part of her desperately wanted to believe that he really did feel differently about her then the women of his past, but how could she trust in that so soon? It was foolish.

Blessedly, the music ended and Crummell returned her to her mother’s side. But he had hardly bowed before Luke was next to her again, pulling her onto the floor.

Her mother’s eyes were wide as Luke tucked her hand into his elbow. “This is our dance, is it not?”

“It is not,” she answered breathlessly. “And you are doing this on purpose.”

“Tabbie,” he leaned down to speak close to her ear. “I will confess to being a man who knows what he wants.”

She closed her eyes. It was so tempting to get swept away. She’d like to allow him to kiss her again until she forgot even her own name. “You are terrible.”

As their dance ended, Tabbie became aware that they had caught, not only the attention of most of the party, but of their fathers as well. The duke and marquess stood on the outskirts of the dancers watching their children with intent eyes.

As they passed by, her father met Luke’s eyes. “See me first thing in the morning.”

Luke gave a nod and then escorted her back to her mother. “We can’t dance again,” she whispered.

“I know. But I won’t be far.”

Chapter 5

Luke crossed his arms as he stared across the desk at the duke. His father sat next to him, the marquess’s face set in a frown. Luke ignored the look. He was used to his father’s disapproval.

The duke made of show of reading through some papers, ignoring the men in front of him. Luke waited, silent and unmoving. He would not allow either father to rile him.

Finally the duke looked up. “I must confess that this was not the conversation I expected to be having.”

One of Luke’s eyebrows drifted up. “I am afraid I don’t understand.”

“I thought you might give my daughter only a cursory amount of attention. Feign interest for the sake of your father’s wishes.” The duke paused to give him a level stare.