A Gentleman's Curse (Avenging Lords 4)

His hands slipped from her cheeks as he sat back and laughed. “So you agree that love and lust work well together.”

“I admit the lines may become blurred sometimes.” She missed the warmth of his tender touch, missed the wicked way his tongue thrust into her mouth. “Equally, I lack the experience to make an informed argument.”

His sweeping g

aze caressed her body. “Oh, I don’t know. When it comes to conveying lust you do a remarkable job.”

It was easy to lust after a man like Hudson Lockhart.

It would be easy to love the lost boy, too, easy to love the enigmatic rogue who dazzled her with his witty quips and considerate gestures.

Claudia glanced at the diamond and amethyst ring gracing the finger of her left hand. It felt comfortable having it there. It felt right.

“The style suits you,” he said. “You can keep it when this is all over.” He gave a mirthless chuckle. “A token to remember one wild week in London.”

A sudden bout of nausea almost rendered her speechless. She found the courage to look at him, tried to determine whether it was the actor who spoke, her employer or the man who stared at her as if he might devour her whole.

“It has certainly been an adventure.” Claudia smiled as she moved to sit in the seat opposite. Heavens, she could play the lead in any Covent Garden show with such a convincing performance.

“Indeed, it has.”

After a minute spent feigning interest in barren autumn fields, she said, “No doubt you’ll miss your large bed in Russell Square tonight.” In the cottage, he slept in one of two twin beds in the same room as Monsieur Dariell. “I trust you’re remaining at Falaura Glen and not returning to town.”

He seemed puzzled by the comment. “I’ll stay in the cottage if you’ve no objection.”

“Why would I object?” After all, he had paid rent for another month.

Despite shrugging, a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes. “Maybe you’ve grown accustomed to having a half-naked man in your bed.”

“Half-naked?” She snorted. “You had cast off your shirt as soon as I closed my eyes.”

A guilty smile played on his lips. “All this talk of beds and nakedness might give a man amorous ideas. Perhaps we should use the next two hours wisely and both take a nap. I hardly slept a wink last night and imagine the same might be true tonight.”

“What reason might you have for not sleeping tonight?”

“I can think of a few.” Without warning, he stretched out his legs and propped his feet up on the seat beside her, and then he closed his eyes.

Claudia watched him for a time, drawn by his handsome countenance, by the peace and serenity surrounding him when he wasn’t preoccupied with plotting revenge and playing the doting husband.

Naturally, her thoughts turned to Emily.

She had every faith in her sister’s strength and determination. But what if she’d suffered a terrible accident? What if she’d sustained an injury that kept her in bed, that brought all the old fears and insecurities flooding back?

“Stop fretting, Miss Darling, and close your eyes,” Hudson said without moving a muscle.

How was it that he could read her so easily and yet he remained a closed book?

Sleep was the only way to calm the chaotic chatter filling her mind, and so she closed her eyes and silently prayed, prayed all was well at Falaura Glen.

* * *

It was dusk by the time Lockhart woke and the carriage rattled through the wrought-iron gates and up the gravel drive towards Falaura Glen. He recalled the first time Dariell had mentioned the manor’s name, suggesting it might be a perfect place to hide, to lie low. It had sounded rather whimsical to his ears, a place where fairies congregated to learn magic spells and share centuries-old secrets.

Lockhart stole a glance at Claudia Darling sleeping soundly in the seat opposite.

The manor might not be a home for fairies, but there was something magical about its occupant. The lady had a charm that held him captive. Fascinated did not begin to describe his feelings. Beguiled and bewitched, maybe.

Hell, he hoped Dariell had kept his word and taken care of Emily Darling. One small accident would prevent Claudia from returning to town, would ruin Lockhart’s plans. It was selfish. But the thought of facing his family without his enchanting temptress at his side proved too painful to bear.