Devils Bride (Cynster 1)

Devil noted her emphasis; she did not look away but continued to face him with unwavering resolution.

The moment stretched, charged, thick with unspoken argument. She was challenging his authority and she knew it-but she would not back down. Her eyes said so very clearly.

Devil narrowed his eyes. "You are an exceedingly stubborn woman."

Haughtily, Honoria raised a brow. "You knew that before we wed."

He nodded curtly. "Unfortunately, that trait was an integral part of the package."

His clipped accents stung; Honoria tilted her chin. "You accepted me-for better or worse."

Devil's eyes flashed. "You did the same."

Again, their gazes locked; after a moment's fraught silence, Honoria, very slowly, lifted an imperious brow. Devil eyed the sight with undisguised irritation-then, with a low growl, gestured to the chaise. "The matter is hardly one fit for a lady's ears."

Hiding her triumph, Honoria obediently sat; Devil sat beside her. Briefly, concisely, he told her the essence of Lucifer's rumor-how a number of contacts had reported that a Cynster had been frequenting the "palaces."

"Palaces?" Honoria looked blank.

Devil's jaw set. "Brothels-highly exclusive ones."

Honoria looked him in the eye. "You don't believe it's one of the Bar Cynster."

A statement, not a question; grimly, Devil shook his head. "I know it isn't one of us. Not one of us would cross the threshold of such a place." He saw no reason to edify Honoria with details of what transpired at the "palaces"-the worst excesses of prostitution was not something his wife needed to know. "It's possible Tolly attended out of curiosity and, while there, saw or heard something that made him a threat to someone." He met Honoria's eyes. "Patrons of the 'palaces' are necessarily wealthy, most are powerful in the true sense of the word. The sort of men who have secrets to hide and the capability to silence those who learn them."

Honoria studied his face. "Why do you need Bromley?"

Devil's lips twisted. "Unfortunately, the opinions of the Bar Cynster on that particular topic are widely known. The proprietors are careful; none of us could get answers."

After a moment, Honoria asked: "Do you really think it was Tolly?"

Devil met her gaze, and shook his head. "Which leaves…" He frowned, then grimaced. "But I believe that even less than that it was Tolly."

They both frowned into space, then Honoria focused-and glanced at the clock. "Great heavens-I'll be late." Gathering her muff, she rose.

Devil rose, too. "Where are you going?"

"To call on Louise, then I'm due at Lady Colebourne's for lunch."

"Not a hint of any of this to Louise-or Maman."

The glance Honoria sent him was fondly condescending. "Of course not."

She turned to the door-Devil halted her with one finger beneath her chin, turning her back to face him, tilting her head up. He looked into her eyes, waited until he saw awareness blossom, then bent his head and touched his lips to hers.

As a kiss, it was a whisper, a tantalizing, feathering touch, too insubstantial to satisfy yet too real to ignore.

When he raised his head, Honoria blinked wildly, then she saw his smile and only just stopped her glare. She drew herself up and regally inclined her head. "I will bid you a good day, my lord."

Devil smiled, slowly. "Enjoy your day, my lady."

Throughout her afternoon, Honoria cursed her husband-and the lingering effects of his devilish kiss. Unable to explain the occasional shivers that racked her, she was forced to humor Louise's supposition and drink a glass of ratafia to drive away her chill. Seated on the chaise in Louise's drawing room, the twins on footstools at her feet, she grasped the opportunity to air the idea that had taken root in her mind. "I'm thinking of giving a ball." She felt it imperative to publicly stamp her claim as the new duchess of St. Ives-an impromptu ball seemed the perfect solution.

"A ball

?" Amanda's eyes grew round. She swung to face her mother. "Will we be allowed to attend?"

Observing her daughters' glowing faces, Louise struggled to hide a smile. "That would depend on whether you were invited and what sort of ball it was to be."