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Finally he tore his roan and buried his face in her perfumed hair "Elizabeth" His voice was thick and unsteady "We h "This is madness"

"It has always been madness"

"You must stay away"

"I have Four bloody years I’ve paid the price for ined sins" He pulled back and stared down at her with eyes so hot they burned "I’ve waited long enough to have you I refuse to wait any longer"

The re for both of them "There is far too much between us to ever enjoy a liaison"

"I da, she pulled back and, to her surprise, was released iers to her kiss-swollen lips "I do not want the pain you bring I do not want you"

"You lie," he said harshly His finger traced the edge of her bodice "You have wanted me since the moment we met You want me still, I can taste it"

Elizabeth cursed her traitorous body, still so enamored of him it refused to listen to the dictates of herall over, she was no better than any of the other besotted women who fell so easily into his bed She backed away, but was stopped by the coldbehind her, she wrapped her hands around the baluster, gripping it so tightly the blood left her hands

"If you had any care fora smile that stopped her heart, Marcus stepped toward her "I will show you the saaze se "Give in to your desire foryou regret"

"How can you say that? Have you not already woundedhow I feel about my father, you still acted as you did I loathe men of your ilk It’s despicable to promise love and devotion to bed a woman only to cast her aside when you weary of the sport"

Marcus stopped abruptly "It was I as cast aside"

Elizabeth backed up tighter against the railing "For good reason"

His lips twisted in a cynical smile "You will receive me when I come to call, Elizabeth You will drive out with me in the afternoons and accoain"

The cold loves and sent shivers up her arms Despite the chill she felt hot, flushed "Are you not satisfied with the numbers of women who fawn over you?"

"No," he replied with his habitual arrogance "Satisfaction will coht and every drea that every breath you take apart froive me whatever I desire, whenever and however I desire it"

"I will give you nothing!"

"You will give ap between them "You will yield all toto her lashes He was implacable and the direness of her situation struck home with cruel effect "After what you did to me, must you seducethat will appease you?"

"Da across her lips in a feather-light kiss "I never thought to have you," he breathed "I never expected that you would ever be free of your e, but you are And I will have as pro the baluster, Elizabeth placed her hands against his waist to ward hiht a raeet ache to her body "I will fight you with everything I have I urge you to desist"

"Not until I have what I want"

"Leave her alone, Westfield"

Sagging with relief at the sound of the fa the staircase

Marcus backed aith a vicious curse Straightening, he shot his old friend a ful the opportunity to slip past hiarden, she disappeared around a corner of yew hedges He stepped forward, detero after her

"I wouldn’t," William said with softis unfortunate, Barclay" Marcus sed a growl of frustration, knowing his old friend would relish any opportunity to fight with him The situation worsened as spectators, alerted by the carrying tone of angry voices and the rigid set of Willia noteworthy gossip

"When you desire Lady Hawthorne’s company in the future, Westfield, be aware that she is indisposed to you indefinitely"

A statuesque redhead pushed her way through the throng of curious onlookers and ran down the steps toward them

"Lord Westfield Barclay Please!" She clutched William’s arm "This is not the venue for such private discourse"

Willialanced at his lovely ith a griaze, he gestured to George Stanton who left the balcony and moved quickly to join them "Please find Lady Hawthorne and escort her home"

"I would be honored" Stanton inched his way carefully between the two angry arden shadows

Marcus sighed and rubbed the back of his neck "You intercede based on a false assumption, Barclay"

"I will not debate the one "Elizabeth has refused to see you and you will respect her wishes" He gently rearet’s hand from his sleeve and stepped closer, his shoulders taut with repressed anger "This will be your only warning Keep your distance from my sister or I will call you out" The crowd above erupted in a series ofwith effort Level-headedness had seen hih many volatile situations, but this time he made no effort to defuse the tension He had a reat deal of ti could be allowed to stand in his way

Meeting Williae head-on, he stepped the last few paces until they were only inches apart His voice softened o in my association with Elizabeth would not be wise There is much left to be resolved between us and I will not have you intruding I would never deliberately harm her If you doubt my word, name your second now My position is firm and worth whatever risk you present to me"

"You would risk your life to proceed?"

"Without question"