To Tame a Dangerous Lord (Courtship Wars 5)

Unaccountably, Haviland paused with his mouth hot on her breast. A long heartbeat passed before he left off suckling her.

“Damnation,” he muttered thickly under his breath. “What the devil am I about?”

He eased away, staring down at her as if suddenly realizing he had half undressed her—although Madeline was trembling so badly that he had to continue to support her with his arm.

Her fevered senses had difficulty registering that he had halted his wicked attentions, yet she suddenly had no trouble realizing that she was on wanton display for him, sprawled there on the window seat with her clothing in shameful disarray, her naked breasts rising and falling with her uneven breaths.

Her cheeks flushed hotly even before he added almost to himself, “I let myself get carried away by your charms.”

He sounded rueful, as if he truly regretted having to control himself. “I had best stop before I forget that I am a gentleman and take you here and now.”

Inexplicably, a flood of disappointment washed over Madeline—which left her furious at herself. How in heaven’s name could she be disappointed that Haviland had taken his lovemaking no further?

She sat up, shaken, and fumbled with her corset. When she had covered her breasts, she jerked her gown up over her shoulders to make herself decent. But when she would have risen from the window seat, Haviland put a hand on her arm to stay her.

“Allow me to help you dress.”

Since he could reach the back of her gown more easily than she, Madeline waited restlessly while he turned her and refastened the hooks. The moment he finished, though, she jumped up and moved away, putting a safer distance between them. She stood there halfway across the

room, breathing hard, her chest still rising and falling rapidly as she strove to regain some semblance of composure.

Haviland didn’t follow her, thankfully. Instead he remained where he was on the window seat.

When he was silent, Madeline glanced back to find him adjusting the front opening of his breeches. When he smoothed the satin fabric over the swollen bulge at his groin, he grimaced as if he were in pain.

His half smile was definitely rueful when he caught her watching him. “If you doubted your effect on me, darling, you have your proof.”

She had obviously aroused him, she realized, her face growing even warmer.

“So, are you ready to accept my proposal yet?” he asked casually.

Was he jesting? Madeline wondered, turning fully to stare at him. Did he honestly expect her to surrender so easily? Haviland had tried to tempt her into agreeing to wed him, exploiting her weakness for him, but she was not quite such a gullible mark.

“You had best return to the ball, my lord, before you are missed,” she suggested in a terse voice.

“My name is Rayne.”

“Rayne, then. Will you please go?”

“Yes, on one condition.”

She eyed him warily. “What condition?”

“That you agree at least to consider my proposal of marriage.”

A surge of rebellious defiance swept through her. Haviland was clearly a master of manipulation, determined to have his way. She suspected he wouldn’t give up trying to seduce her until he won … unless she gave the appearance of yielding.

Attempting to hide her vexation, Madeline tilted her head and regarded him thoughtfully. “I might be willing to consider your proposal. At least I won’t reject it out of hand. But I have a condition of my own. You will let me accompany you to Mrs. Sauville’s soirée Tuesday evening and aid you in retrieving Freddie’s letters.”

Haviland’s gaze narrowed on her. “Freddie was right. You are a managing female.”

“I never denied it,” she pointed out sweetly.

Amusement tugged at his mouth. “You are your father’s daughter also, Madeline. You drive a hard bargain.”

“I will take that as a compliment, Lord Haviland. But you may address me as Miss Ellis.”

He still seemed reluctant to let her participate, so she summarized their respective conditions. “You will take me along Tuesday evening and give me a role to play. Who knows? I might actually make you a good accomplice. If nothing else, I can keep Mrs. Sauville occupied while you search for the letters in her rooms. And in exchange, I will give serious deliberation to your offer of marriage.”