The Seduction of an English Scoundrel by Jillian Hunter Page A

spell of helpless attraction over him, and he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
    â€œIt is?”
    Her annoyed frown did absolutely nothing to destroy the sexual images that paraded through his mind, the vision of their bodies joined in pleasure. His own reaction frightened him a little. Knocked him emotionally to his knees. Fortunately he had learned long ago to hide what he felt, or he might have frightened her to death.
    â€œI never lie, Jane,” he said, offering her his arm.
    She stared at him before reluctantly tucking her hand into his elbow. “You might not lie, but you certainly dominate.”
    â€œThat is also true,” he murmured, drawing her against him to open the gate hidden in the wall.
    Their bodies touched again, and Jane barely managed not to sigh in pleasure. Instead, she breathed in his scent, wool and Castile soap, the warm tang of his skin, the sheer maleness that made her feel so protected and vulnerable at the same time. Part of her wanted to lean even closer and sate her senses. The other part wanted to retreat from the attack on her judgment. Just because she had committed one enormous sin didn’t mean she was destined to descend into decadence, did it? She had to wonder.
    In the core of her being she felt like candle wax held against a raw flame, burned up by the heat he exuded. She lifted her gaze. His eyes ensnared hers, sultry, sensuality unhidden, before he casually flicked up the latch and guided her onto the narrow flagstone footpath to the street. She huffed out a breath. Heaven only knew what he was thinking or why she was going along with whatever plan he had in mind.
    She balked, realizing she had been so enrapt in him that she wasn’t paying attention to their destination. “What is wrong with the front entrance? I thought we wanted to be seen.”
    â€œWe do.” He straightened his white neckcloth, giving her a conspiratorial grin. “But there happens to be a particularly vile reporter on your doorstep whom I will probably end up killing one day. You, my dear, are not about to be a baby lamb for the likes of him.”
    â€œOh.” She hadn’t even thought to read the morning papers. “Is the news very ugly?” she asked in hesitation.
    His hard face softened slightly. “Brutal.”
    â€œThen I refuse to do this.”
    He motioned with his free hand to the liveried footman waiting at the curb. His other hand firmly prevented her from pulling away. “Remount, Jane.”
    â€œRe—what?” she said in exasperation, then, “Unhand me, Sedgecroft, or I shall . . . hit you.”
    â€œI’m doing this for your own good,” he said, escorting her past the growing crowd of curious onlookers who had hoped to catch a glimpse of the jilted bride and her infamous escort.
    She swatted at his shoulder, whispering, “Everyone is staring at us.”
    â€œThen stop resisting me,” he whispered back with a lazy smile.
    â€œThen let me go.”
    â€œBut, my little disgraced angel, what if you should fall?”
    â€œFall?”
    â€œInto the street amid all those nasty cow droppings and custards.”
    â€œI suppose that’s a risk I shall have to take.”
    â€œNot in my presence. I would never allow a woman I escort to come to harm.”
    â€œWould you allow her to harm you?”
    His eyes twinkled with enjoyment. “It depends. What did you have in mind?”
    â€œPresumably not what you’re thinking.”
    He gave a low laugh and pulled her closer to him to murmur, “Smile at our audience, Jane. Remember that I have replaced Nigel in your heart. It won’t do for us to be quarreling in the street the first day we are seen together.”
    Despite the fact that she hadn’t agreed to any of this, Jane could not help responding to his confidence. He sounded as if he did this sort of thing every day. He made it sound like a marvelous adventure.
    â€œI