The Passion (Notorious 2)

He turned and disappeared into the shadows, giving her no further chance to protest. Short of shouting after him, she was helpless to try to make him see reason.

With a sigh of exasperation, Aurora stepped back from the window. She could scarcely believe she was actually considering going for a midnight drive in the dark with Nicholas Sabine. And yet she couldn't deny the forbidden appeal of it. What in heaven's name was happening to her? Before meeting Nicholas she'd always been sedate and proper, a model of decorum. But now she was behaving like

a wanton.

And what is so wrong about that? a voice in her head prodded. You have been sensible and proper all your life. You can be a little risque for once.

Feeling very much like the Frenchwoman in the journal who had been seduced into sin by her captivating prince, Aurora dressed quickly and drew on a hooded cloak. The house was dark and silent as she crept downstairs and let herself out of the servants' entrance.

Nicholas was waiting for her outside as he'd promised. When he saw her, his smile turned quite brilliant. Aurora drew a sharp breath, suddenly filled with the dizzying pleasure of being near him.

A curricle was waiting at the end of the short drive, and just as he'd claimed, a youth held the pair of horses. Nicholas handed her up into the seat and climbed up after her.

"Wait here, if you please," he said to the boy. "We shall return shortly." With a flick of the reins, he sent the team off at a brisk trot.

Aurora held on to the seat rail while sending him an incredulous look, scarcely believing his audacity.

"I should have known better than to trust you," she said darkly when they were out of earshot. "You led me to believe your tiger would accompany us."

"Only because you would not have come with me otherwise."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Not far. Look around you, siren. Is this not better than being captive in your chaste bedchamber?"

It was a magnificent night, Aurora thought unwillingly. The cool June breeze on her face was exhilarating, the moonlight stirring as it bathed the silent streets. Yet her vexation at Nicholas prevented her full enjoyment. "You cannot make me believe you were thinking only of me when you lured me out here."

"Perhaps I wasn't, but can you fault me for wanting to be alone with a beautiful woman on a moonlit night?"

"Then you don't deny you are bent on seduction."

"There are no laws against seducing my own wife."

She raised her eyes to the sky. "Haven't you anything better to do than drive me to distraction?"

"I can think of nothing better, except for making love to you."

"Nicholas!"

"Actually," he added casually before she could finish, "Clune did invite me to join his Hellfire colleagues on a tour of the demimonde this evening, but I declined."

Aurora fell silent, disturbed by the image of Nicholas dallying with courtesans in an elegant London brothel. The thought of him making love to any other woman was distinctly troubling – which was absurd, since she had told him he was free to find his pleasures elsewhere.

She glanced up at him, at his strong profile that was chiseled by moonlight. He would have absolutely no trouble finding feminine companionship. He was devastatingly attractive, more sensual and exciting than any man she had ever known. He was also a rake and adventurer, accustomed to living dangerously and breaking hearts. She should know better than to make herself vulnerable this way, being alone with him.

"Why did you decline?" she murmured, not really wanting to hear the answer.

"Because the only woman I wanted was my wife."

She wouldn't dignify his provocative remark with an answer.

"What?" he teased softly when she remained mute. "No sharp rejoinder?"

She gave him a stern look. "I cannot credit that you would prefer me to an accomplished Cyprian."

"Ah, but I do, siren."

"Merely because, like Clune, you only want what you cannot have."