Sinfully Yours (Hellions of High Street 2)

“I shall have to try to find you a novel that you haven’t read for the trip north,” said Andover lightly. “A daunting task.”

“You need not trouble yourself. I’ve plenty of reading material to keep me occupied,” Anna assured him.

“Miss Caro also tells me that a bevy of German nobles, including a prince, will be among the guests. So perhaps you will find romance outside the pages of a book,” he replied.

“Real-life romance is the last thing I am looking to find in Scotland,” said Anna. “Prince Charming will have to look elsewhere for a bride.” Spotting her sister conversing with a childhood friend behind a large decorative urn filled with tuber roses, she quickly added, “If you don’t mind, sir, I think I shall beg off from this next set and join my sister.”

Ever the gentleman, Andover was far too well mannered to protest. Taking his leave with a polite bow, he strolled off in the direction of the card room. A moment later, Caro’s friend was quickly claimed by her next partner, leaving the two sisters alone.

“Christabel thinks your new gown is shockingly lovely,” said Caro. “All the girls do. They are yearning to cast off their pale hues and wear more daring colors.”

“Perhaps, like Beau Brummel, you will become the arbiter of fashion,” added a masculine voice from somewhere close by. “The Sovereign of sarcenet and satin.”

Anna didn’t need to turn around to know who was standing just behind her left shoulder. She could swear a faint whiff of brimstone suddenly sharpened the sweet fragrance of the flowers.

“It’s rude to eavesdrop, Lord Davenport,” she said.

“So it is,” he murmured, moving in a half circle to face her. “Which is why I shall step in and join the conversation.” His eyes locked with hers for just a moment, before sliding down to make a long, leisurely inspection of her gown. “Unless, of course, you have any objection.”

Damnation. She felt herself growing uncomfortably warm. Damn, damn, damn. Her rebellious body seemed intent on responding to the man, despite all orders to the contrary.

“Not at all,” answered Caro quickly. To Anna’s consternation, her sister had decided on their first encounter several months ago that the dark, disreputable marquess was “Exceedingly Interesting,” an accolade she bestowed on precious few gentlemen of the ton.

Poets, thought Anna wryly, were Exceeding Hard To Please.

“What do you think of Anna’s new gown, Lord Davenport?” added her sister.

“It is indeed daring,” he replied, after a prolonged pause. “That particular shade of blue makes an intriguing contrast to her fair coloring. One can’t help but notice the striking contrast between dark and light.”

A shiver of ice now joined the heat prickling over her flesh.

“I think it makes her look slightly dangerous, and so does our new French maid,” confided Caro. “Josette says a lady should be dangerous. Do you agree, sir?”

“That depends,” said Devlin.

“Caro…” began Anna, anxious to turn the talk to a safer subject.

“On what?” challenged her sister.

“On the lady.” His eyes were on her again, and Anna felt her body clench in response to the low laugh that rumbled in his throat. “That smoke-dark hue conjures up thoughts of midnight and all the many sins that are hidden by darkness…”

Anna did not want to think of sin, not when the word stirred vivid memories of how good his body had felt pressed up against hers.

“…So yes, I would agree with you that your sister looks slightly dangerous.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” she quickly pointed out.

“So can words be deceiving,” responded Devlin.

She felt her pulse start to skitter, and suddenly it was hard to breath. Surely he couldn’t suspect the truth. Could he? Lucifer and his legions were said to possess dark powers.

“So can gestures be deceiving,” he added. “So can kisses be deceiving.”

“Are you always so cynical about life, Lord Davenport?” asked Caro, sounding far more intrigued than a young lady should be by a thoroughly disreputable rogue.

“The answer is yes,” replied Anna. “Always.”

His lips quirked, and the memory of his wicked, wanton mouth on hers made her skin begin to tingle all over.