Page 20 (1/2)

"What of yourself?"

She lifted a slender shoulder "I find pleasure in saving the women I do from the streets"

"And you are never lonely?"

"I I have Meg"

Lucien gave a loud snort, considering a lifetiued servant as companionship

"She is no doubt a fine companion, but she cannot fulfill all your needs"

She turned to regard hie of her proxi her close enough so he could hear the very beat of her heart

"Enjoyment Desire" He paused "Love"

Her brow furrowed "Such desires are dangerous"

He leaned his head down to rest his forehead against her own Their breaths led as he allowed the sarmth of her to seep into his body

"No," he denied in fierce tones "Allowing life to slip past while you hide in fear is dangerous

There is no ht have been had you dared to risk it all"

He felt her shiver even as she gave a soft, rueful chuckle "You are very persistent, Lucien"

"Only because I know I aht"

"So confident?"

"I live in hope" Unable to resist teently cover her lips It was an innocent caress, no ry pleasure flared through Lucien, he pulled back in sudden awareness He ached for this woerously painful He was playing with fire to re his arht with suppressed desire "Now, I am weary of this house What shall we do today?"

He had the satisfaction of watching Jocelyn struggle to regain her own cohten the skirts of her peach gown

"Well, we could go to thefor the children"

"No" He adaht that slanted through thede city "I desire to leave London

This black air is choking arded him with a stern expression "No more archery I a her a faint smile "Then, why do you not escortwoave a blink of surprise at his sudden request "It is not really a fare with a small field"

"I would like to visit it"

"It would hold little interest for you"

He arched his brows in a challenging ," he retorted, then, knowing how best to bend her to his will, he touched upon her stern sense of duty "Besides, you surely need to occasionally visit and ensure that all is well?"

As expected, her thoughts swiftly turned to those women who depended upon her charity

"It has been some time since I was last there," she adhts, Lucien s’s wrath and request a supper to be packed We shall hthearted, Jocelyn nibbled upon the delicate mushrooms in cream sauce and fresh peas