Velvet Embrace

"Many people thought so," Brie replied, lifting her chin.

"And you, mademoiselle, are attempting to follow in his footsteps."

It was a statement, not a question, and the accompanying grin that twisted Dominic's lips infuriated Brie. He might not have given her away, but he was still an arrogant, insufferable devil. She refused to respond to his taunt, however. Instead she glared at him in silent challenge.

It was a challenge Dominic could not ignore. Realizing her status had not lessened his desire for her, although he had seen immediately the need to revise his strategy for seducing the haughty beauty. But how to turn this situation to his advantage escaped him at the moment. He studied her speculatively, noting the angry flush that stained her cheeks. The stubborn set of her jaw could not disguise the delicacy of its line, and he knew that if he stroked the creamy skin there, he could get her to relax those tight muscles. But he would have to get close to her first.

Deliberately, he let his eyes drop to the swelling fullness of her breasts as they strained against the fine lawn of her shirt. She wore a chemise beneath, but he could faintly detect the coral outline of her nipples. He found himself hungering for the taste of those sweet buds. . . .

Brie was a little shocked by Dominic's blatant perusal. Her skin seemed to burn where his gaze touched her, and she could feel her nipples hardening, just as if he were pressing his hot lips against her. When Dominic raised a smile to her glare, Brie opened her mouth to give him a scathing set-down.

Julian spoke first. He had been growing uncomfortable with the flagging conversation, and now he stepped unwittingly into the silent battle. "I've been instructing Brie in the art of fencing, Dominic. In fact we were just wrapping up a match. She is proving to be a formidable opponent. Would you care to test her skill with a bout?"

"No!" Brie gasped. Seeing Julian give her a puzzled look, she realized her refusal had been too vehement and felt compelled to offer an explanation. "We really must be going, Julian. I have taken enough of your time this morning as it is."

The excuse sounded weak even to her own ears, and she wasn't suprised when Julian told her not to be absurd. "I enjoyed the exercise," he insisted. "Besides, you need the experience of trying your hand with other opponents. It will be an excellent opportunity for you to practice." Julian handed his foil to Dominic, then stepped back to watch the contest, grinning encouragingly at Brie. "Just relax and remember what you've learned. Dominic won't take advantage of you."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," she muttered under her breath. When she gave Dominic a sidelong glance, though, she flushed. His mocking half-smile told her that he had caught her words, and the low bow he made to her was the epitome of insolence. Brie lowered her eyelashes to hide her frustration. How she longed to wipe the smirk from his handsome face! Yet he owed her something for that day in the meadow when she had struck him with her whip, and she supposed it would be better to take her punishment here with witnesses present, rather than wait till later when she was alone with him.

For a moment she stood in indecision, while Dominic awaited her with amused patience, enjoying the irony of the situation. Then she reluctantly prepared her stance. They engaged foils, and soon the room resounded with ringing steel.

Brie did not expect to be victorious. She merely wanted to make a good showing. But from the start, there was no question of her doing anything more than preventing a rout. Dominic's superiority was evident in every feint and thrust he made. Brie was amazed at his strength. She was breathing hard after three minutes and sweat had started to blind her, but Dominic seemed as cool as if he were taking an evening stroll. There was no need even for him to exert himself. Brie was infuriated by the way he played with her, first letting her have the upper hand, then relentlessly advancing, his powerful arm driving her to retreat. She felt like a mouse caught by a jungle cat. He was toying with her now, she knew, but any moment he would pounce and make a meal of her.

Dominic's cool gray eyes told her nothing of his surprised appreciation of her skill. She was obviously a novice, but she had been well rehearsed in technique. Her smaller stature was a definite disadvantage, but what she lacked in power and reach, she almost made up in agility and determination. Dominic had to concentrate to prevent her quick thrusts from reaching their mark.

Brie tired quickly. She was at the point of willingly admitting defeat when Dominic asked with a provoking grin what prize the victor was to be awarded. His taunt goaded her into renewing her efforts. She began to fight with violent determination, feeling suddenly as if her very life depended on this one battle. She didn't hear or heed Julian's warning cry that the button had come off her foil and that the tip was unguarded. She was only aware that she had to defend herself against the dire threat her devilish opponent presented.

She was unprepared for the fury of Dominic's response. He attacked with deadly precision, forcing her to make a desperate retreat. A moment later, her sword was torn expertly from her grasp.

Her momentum was still carrying her backward, and when the backs of her knees hit the sofa, Brie went sprawling, the cushions breaking her fall. She was stunned to find herself looking up into Dominic's thunderous face, his blade pressed against her throat.

For an endless moment, the room was completely silent. Brie could feel her heart slamming against her ribs, but she didn't even dare breathe with the tip of Dominic's foil in the vulnerable hollow of her throat. Petrified, she stared up at him. His eyes were glittering shards of ice, impaling her as his rapier might do at any moment.

When Dominic finally moved, it was to raise his weapon only a few inches. Then with the point of his foil, he slowly, deliberately traced a line on Brie's cheek, reminding her of the welt she had raised on his own skin. "The score grows more uneven, my blood-thirsty vixen," he warned in a harsh whisper. "It must be settled."

He let the tip trail downward till it rested between her heaving breasts. "Soon," Dominic added softly. His eyes flicked over the soft curves, then dropped lower to her spread thighs. His jaw tightened. Suddenly, without another word, Dominic tossed the foil away, making Brie flinch. Then he spun on his heel and strode from the room.

Both Julian and Caroline stared after him speechlessly. During the entire match, Caroline had been sitting with her hand pressed to her mouth, but now that the danger had passed, she jumped up and went to Brie's side. "Darling, are you alright? Did he hurt you?" she asked, helping Brie to sit up.

Silently Brie shook her head, her hand going automatically to her cheek where Dominic's foil had caressed it. "I think I have had enough lessons for one day," she said shakily. "Julian, would you be kind enough to hand me my boots and call for our horses?"

The look Julian gave her was incredulous. "Lord, Brie, you can't just leave it at that! I could wring your neck. Why the devil didn't you hold up when I told you your point was exposed? Didn't you hear me?"

"No, I did not," Brie replied stonily. "I am sorry to have disgraced you, Julian, but you may be assured I don't plan a repeat performance. I should have known better than to cross swords with that insuf

ferable tyrant in the first place."

Perplexed, Julian stared at Brie. "Do you know Dominic?"

Brie hesitated. If she had been alone with Julian, she would have told him about being stranded at his house with his friend. But Caroline was listening, and a confession about Lord Stanton's attempted seduction was hardly appropriate for the ears of an impressionable eighteen-year-old girl. "I met him when he was here two weeks ago," Brie said finally.

"Two weeks—Damn it, Brie! Dominic was only here for a few days. What the hell did you do to provoke him so?"

"I! Why do you assume I did anything?"

"Because," Julian said with exaggerated patience as he handed Brie her leather boots, "I have never seen Dominic act so irrationally. He looked like he wanted to kill you."

"He probably did," she muttered. When Julian continued to frown at her, she raised her hands in exasperation. "All right! I hit him with my whip. I was out riding one day and he tried to bully me. I was frightened, so I hit him."