Ten Ways to Ruin

“Perfectly innocent,” he said, not certain having Emma in his room could be considered innocent in the least. “The duchess’s sister, if you must know. I ran into her, and she was soaked through. She asked to sit by the fire.”

“Hmm,” the cook replied. “Perhaps you should stay here then and let Meg assist her.”

“No need. Just ask someone to bring up the coffee when it’s ready.” Simon raced back upstairs before Mrs. Tillman could rattle his conscience about Emma being in his bedchamber.

Entering his room, he found Emma still standing by the fire. “Are you warm enough?”

“Oh yes. I am certain I will be dry in no time.” She glanced around the room. “Why do you live here?”

Simon shrugged and sat in the large chair nearest her. “It’s convenient.”

“Yes, I suppose it would be. But not terribly fashionable.”

“I’m not too concerned about being fashionable.”

“I suppose not,” she muttered, sinking into the brocade chair. “So, do you really think that rock was deliberately thrown at you?”

He sighed at her tenacity. “I don’t see how it could have been. I went to Soho to find you. The only people who knew I was going there were Riley and Hood. Riley helped me start this place. I trust him with my life. And Miss Lancaster, of course.”

“And Hood?”

“What about Hood?”

“Do you trust him with your life?” she asked softly.

Did he? “He’s been in my employ for two years. I have never had a reason to doubt his intentions.”

“I see. Highly unlikely it is either of them or Susan. Could either have mentioned anything to one of the employees? Meg, perhaps?”

“It was most likely a prank by some adolescents.” He rose and walked to the fire. Holding his hands out to warm them, he added, “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Emma.”

“I am not jealous of Meg! The woman is a whore.”

“Don’t ever let her hear you say that. She gave up whoring years ago.”

Emma crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh? Then exactly what was she doing on your lap when Louisa and I came to see you that day?”

Simon saw the burning resentment in her eyes. Why would Emma be so concerned about his relationship with Meg? “You know exactly what we were doing. The same thing you offered me.”

“A gentleman would never speak of that,” she retorted.

“And a lady would never mention what she observed that day.”

Emma rose and paced the room. “You did say there would be coffee?”

He smiled. She was a master at changing the subject. “Yes, it should be finished very soon. Come back by the fire and dry off.”

She strolled over and stood next to him. “If you have kitchens, perhaps we should be down there, so no one is forced to bring up coffee for us. I can sit by the fire there as well as here.”

“We would be in Mrs. Tillman’s way.” For a lady who wanted to complete a list which included seducing a man, she seemed nervous. Seeing her tense shoulders, he closed his hands over them, caressing them.

“You shouldn’t be touching me,” she whispered.

“Very well, then.” He turned her in his arms and stared down at her blue eyes.

Her mouth gaped slightly either from his comeback or the sensation of his thumb on her bare skin. The tip of her pink tongue slid across her lips. The urge to kiss her overtook his senses. He bent his head down to reach the target of his yearning. Her eyes widened before slipping closed.

Her mouth tasted like sweetness and sensuality. Simon knew this was foolish. He was supposed to stay away from her, for both their sakes. But he couldn’t stop the desire he felt for her. As her tongue played with his, he lost all common sense. He walked her slowly toward the bed only a few feet away.