A Gentleman's Curse (Avenging Lords 4)

Claudia gathered every ounce of courage she possessed and swung around to face him. Satisfaction raced through her when she noted his initial look of surprise. But Mr Lockhart was a man comfortable in his own skin. Mr Lockhart had the confidence of Adonis.

“Have I?” Claudia arched a coy brow.

“You’re without your coverlet?”

“So I am.” She cast an admiring glance at his manhood, and yet she wanted to gasp in shock. He was so large … so … so utterly masculine. “And you are without your clothes.”

“Oddly, it does not seem to bother you now.” He stood strong and proud as if wearing a fine garment, expertly tailored, pleasing to the eye.

“I’m a good actress.” Claudia shrugged, though realised that was a mistake when the action drew his attention to her breasts. “And it suddenly occurred to me that I have seen statues in books and museums, that I have seen many versions of the male form.”

Though none so impressive. If one were judging purely on proportions, Mr Lockhart would attract a crowd.

“Then call Lissette and have her draw you a bath.” A playful twinkle sparkled in his eyes. “I have seen the female form many times, too, once more won’t make a difference.”

Heavens, she was drowning beneath the depths of her inadequacy. She’d have to fight against the current if she hoped to unsettle this gentleman.

“Very well.” The words left her lips without conscious thought. It was too late to retract them. Hudson Lockhart had offered a challenge, and she had accepted.

Pushing nerves aside, Claudia rang for the maid.

Mr Lockhart slipped back into bed. He remained propped upright on a mound of pillows as he watched the sudden flurry of activity.

The maid lit the fire. Two footmen carried the tub and made numerous trips upstairs with steaming buckets. Lissette added drops of rosewater to the bath and tied Claudia’s hair in a simple chignon.

“Shall I fetch the screen, madame?” Lissette asked.

Claudia stole a glance at Mr Lockhart. Oh, the devil looked thoroughly pleased with the turn of events. He arched an arrogant brow, lounged back and placed his hands behind his head. “Do you need a screen when bathing in front of your husband?”

Claudia’s knees trembled at the thought of Hudson Lockhart seeing her naked. Part of her wanted to insist upon a means to protect her modesty. The larger part longed to see the same flash of vulnerability in his eyes she’d seen thirty minutes before.

“I don’t need a screen, Lissette.” This cat-and-mouse game they played had nothing to do with him hiring her to play his wife. It felt like a courtship, a wild, illicit courtship that broke all of society’s rigid rules. “You may leave me now. I shall ring should I need your assistance.”

How strange that she did not feel vulnerable. For the first time in her life, the power that came with knowing a man desired her gave her strength beyond her height and slender frame. And her foolish pride insisted on proving she was more than capable of dealing with any test he threw her way.

Lissette left the room and closed the door.

Claudia remained rooted to the spot next to the bathtub.

Hudson Lockhart’s sinful grin taunted and seduced both at the same time.

“Your bath will be cold if you linger.” His velvet voice reached across the room. “If you’re quick, I may have time to slip into your water.”

Her pulse quickened.

Do it.

Do it now.

Do it before you change your mind and prove you were the second choice.

“Then I’ll be quick.” She lacked the skill to undress in the titillating way he might like. And so she gathered the hem of the silk nightgown and raised it to her thighs.

Hudson Lockhart’s breath hissed between his teeth. “You’re not going paddling, my darling. Take it off.”

“No, I’m not going paddling.” Before nerves consumed her, she drew the garment over her head, tossed it onto the chair and slipped into the warm water without looking at him once.

“Dariell was right,” he said when she found the courage to look at him. His satisfied smile had turned dark and positively wicked.