The Scandalous Lady Sandford (Lost Ladies of London 3)

“Yes, yes. Perhaps it’s not the best choice, but I have nothing else to wear to bed.” Her cheeks burned, and she moved to the window. Each step seemed clumsy and awkward under the weight of his stare.

“Oh, I’m not complaining.”

She picked up the telescope and gazed out at the sea. Well, she pretended to look, but the naked man in the bed behind her dominated her thoughts.

“How do you find the view?”

“Breathtaking.”

“I agree.” He sighed. “It’s rather

spectacular from this angle, too. When you lean forward the material clings to every place a husband can dare to look.”

Lillian tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. She daren’t move. All she could do was grip the brass object, stare out into the night and wait for her heart to stop hammering in her ears.

She followed the moon’s reflection on the water, all the time aware of Fabian’s gaze caressing her back. “After such a terrible storm, the night is calm and peaceful.” Unlike the whirlwind of emotions wreaking havoc with her body. “There’s enough light to see quite far into the distance.”

“If you look west you can see the church. If you’re struggling to find it, I can offer my assistance.”

She brought her focus back to the castle wall, hoping to trace the path along the coastline to the small stone building where she had pledged her troth. Her gaze drifted past the tall shadow mistaking it for a tree. But there were no trees on the heathland. Holding the scope close to her eye, she skimmed back to the strange grey outline.

“Have you found it?”

“I’ve found something.” The shadow stopped moving, and she realised it was a man. The moon cast an eerie sheen over the figure’s face. Lillian’s heart dropped like a lead weight into her stomach. “There’s a man outside.” Something about him seemed familiar. It wasn’t Vane. This man had a bulky frame, fat as opposed to solid muscle.

“Did you say a man?”

The figure raised his chin and looked up at the castle giving a better view of his face. Lillian blinked rapidly. The telescope slipped from her hand. She gasped, her throat so tight she could barely breathe. “It—it’s the pock-faced man.” The words were a strangled cry.

Fabian threw the coverlet back and jumped out of bed. Undeterred by his nakedness he strode over to the window, picked up the telescope and looked out at the monster who’d haunted her dreams for weeks.

“What the blazes?”

Lillian stood a mere inch from hard muscles and bronzed skin, and tried to regain her composure. All thoughts should have been on the beastly figure outside who had somehow followed her to Raven Island. But how could she think of anything but the impressive gentleman at her side? She watched him, mesmerised by the bulging biceps in his arms. Try as she might, she couldn’t prevent her gaze dropping to his narrow hips, lower still.

“It’s hard to see clearly from this angle,” he complained.

“Indeed.” Her word was more a purr.

“You’re certain it’s the man who frightened you in London?”

“I’m certain. I shall never forget the evil look in his eye.”

Fabian handed her the telescope and turned to face her. “Stay here.”

Dwarfed by the expanse of his bare chest, she gulped. “Why, what do you intend to do?”

“The only way to find out what he’s doing here is to ask him.”

Fear gripped her. “Surely you don’t mean to go out there?” She touched his arm and their eyes locked.

“Why else is he here if not for you? I want to know how he knew where to come and why. I made an oath. I promised you freedom, not a life where you’re confined to your room and under constant threat.”

She glanced at the window, looking for the source of the sudden chill in the air. “Fabian, he does not seem like the sort of man who likes talking. What if he hurts you?”

A smile touched the corners of his lips. He bent his head and brushed a chaste kiss over her mouth. “He won’t. Regardless of what happens, you’re to stay here.”

He did not give her a chance to reply. In less than a minute, he’d thrown on breeches, boots and a shirt. She hadn’t realised that watching a man dress could be so enthralling.