To Tame a Dangerous Lord (Courtship Wars)

Rayne winced. “Did she demean your attire?”

“Among other things,” Madeline answered lightly.

Realizing that she hadn’t crossed the threshold into his study, Rayne came out from behind his desk and moved toward her. “I am sorry you had to endure her reproach, sweetheart. I imagine it was exceedingly unpleasant.”

“It was a little uncomfortable,” Madeline acknowledged. “But then it was to be expected. I knew she would never approve of me. In fact, I warned you, you will remember.”

“So you did, but my grandmother’s opinion has no bearing on our marriage.”

“Still, I truly am sorry for coming between you,” Madeline murmured, her tone holding genuine regret.

Rayne shook his head as he came to a halt before her. “You are not to blame whatsoever….”

His voice trailed off. Her hairstyle was different, he realized, and so was her face.

Yet before he could comment, she interrupted his thoughts. “Have you had tea yet?”

“Not yet. I was waiting for you.” He had supposed they would sit down together over tea so that he could catch up on her past week.

Madeline flashed him a rueful smile, however. “I am sorry for inconveniencing you, my lord, but I partook of an ample tea with our pupils at the academy. I will ask Bramsley to serve you at once. Meanwhile, I hope you will excuse me. I mean to go upstairs and take a bath. I have become quite fond of your marvelous bathing chamber. It is a luxury I never dreamed of.”

Rayne meant to take Madeline to task for addressing him as “my lord” a second time, but the image of her bathing her luscious body hit him hard in the loins and totally distracted him. And her next casual comment struck him even more forcefully:

“You are welcome to share my bathwater. It seems a shame to waste so much hot water, even if you can well afford it. I should be finished by the time you have your tea.”

Turning away from the doorway, she strolled down the corridor toward the front entrance hall.

Rayne watched her leave, his brows furrowed as he followed the gentle sway of her hips. Had Madeline just asked him to join her bath? Or was she merely being frugal in wanting to conserve hot water and thus proposing he bathe after her?

Either way, Rayne couldn’t get her suggestion out of his mind as he returned to work. A half hour later he gave up all pretense of concentration.

No doubt it would be folly to join his new wife in the bathing chamber, yet he couldn’t stay away.

Madeline reclined against the sloping back of the large copper hip bath, counting the passing minutes along with the rapid beats of her heart. Ordinarily she relished luxuriating in the silken heat of so much water, but anticipation was twisting knots in her belly while she waited to see if Rayne would join her.

She had surprised him, that much was evident. His eyes had darkened as he’d stared at her, trying to divine her intent—which was precisely what Fanny Irwin had predicted he would do.

Thus far Fanny’s plan seemed to be working. Madeline had deliberately delayed at the academy long after Rayne was expected home so as not to appear at his beck and call. A woman who was too available was much less of a prize for a man, according to Fanny, so it was wise to keep him guessing.

Madeline wasn’t certain she had the confidence required to carry out her campaign, even after all of Fanny’s expert counsel. She had never been a seducer or siren. But she’d prepared as carefully as she could for this moment, laying out linen towels and scented soaps before undressing and sinking into the bathwater up to her shoulders.

Her heart thundered in her chest when at last she heard a swift rap on the door, followed by Rayne softly calling her name.

“You may enter,” she replied, sitting up.

As the door opened to admit him, Madeline modestly reached for a linen towel she’d left lying on the stool beside the tub and held it up to shield her naked torso from his view. Rayne was unaware of the assault she intended to launch against him, and she intended to play the innocent as long as possible.

“I am sorry for my tardiness,” she apologized as he shut the chamber door behind him, “but I am not quite finished with my bath. The hot water was just too alluring. Do you mind waiting a few more minutes?”

She kept her look guileless, even though the giddy rush of nerves was making her light-headed. Rayne’s expression, on the other hand, was more piercing than usual.

“No, I don’t mind,” he said, settling onto the adjacent stool.

Madeline gazed up at him beneath her lashes, hoping she looked properly flustered at having an audience. “Do you mean to watch me?”

“You needn’t be shy. I have seen all your lovely charms before, remember?” When she hesitated, Rayne added in an amused tone, “You cannot very well bathe holding a towel.”

“True.” Nervous laughter escaped her throat. She would have to do better than this, Madeline scolded herself. Fanny had schooled her over countless hours, and so she had the necessary knowledge to become a femme fatale. She just needed to apply it.