Page 28 (1/2)

Hehis association with the notorious seductress She was eainst her will , yet she had not sought assistance He was her lover, a wealthy one at that, and he would help her if she asked, but Maria was too accusto heart, Christopher refused to feel discarded or forgotten or to blaent woman She could learn, and he would teach her Kindness Tenderness How much of either had she ever been shown in her life? He, perhaps,

was not the best s, but he was capable of learning, too He would find a way to open hi herself to him

So he departed as swiftly as he had coe as a different man than the one who had left--somber stil , but now leaden with an introspective shroud that Philip ise enough not to disturb

Maria paced the length of her roo around her legs

"Where are you?" she gru iolden-haired paramour to appear

She had been home for two days now and knew from her spy in the St John household that Christopher was at home as Well, yet he did not co to no avail He had not replied, nor had he appeared

Here she had rushed home and hurriedly bathed the dirt of travel away in preparation for his visit, only to cool her heels for days Deep in her chest an ache blossoht have lost interest in her while she ay While she had considered that possibility, the realization wounded her in a way she could not have prepared for

She paused at the , looking down, seeing no movement Her eyes closed on a harshly indrawn breath He owed her nothing, yet she was angered at the hurt he had inflicted She was furious that he had not given her the courtesy of a simple fareWell Even one written on paper, rather than spoken in person, would have been preferable to this silent dismissal

Damned if she would all ow him to treat her like this! She had bared herself in that note, made it clear how she wished for his company It pained her to think of it, how deeply attached to thehis attentions

To be discarded without a word

Seething, Maria disrobed and then call ed for Sarah to assist her with re-dressing She donned crimson silk and then took a moment to apply a heart-shaped patch just above the corner of her own, she then ordered her carriage brought around Everyin her blood She was spoiling for a row, and by God, the pirate would indulge her whether he wished to or not

Outriders surrounded her coach as they left the relative safety of Mayfair for the squalor of St Giles, which served as hoars, thieves, prostitutes…and her lover She sat in the unlit coerously By the ti to be unleashed, a fact thatcard was accepted froe into the foyer without delay

"Where is he?" she asked with oroup of both men and women who filtered from various rooms to watch her

The butler sed hard "I will inform him of your arrival, Lady Winter"

One finely arched brow rose "I can announce o"

The servant opened his h, "follow me, my lady"

Maria took the staircase like a queen, her head held high, her shoulders squared She ht be a lover scorned, but she refused to act the part

A moment later she swept into the room opened by the butler and paused inside, her heart in her throat A jerking wave of her hand to signal for the closing of the door was all she could ed before the fire in a state of semiundress, his feet and throat bare, his torso free of both waistcoat and coat His head was leaned back, his bril iant blue gaze hidden in repose Such a beautiful yet deadly creature Even now, furious as she was, he affected her as no other man ever had

"Christopher," Maria call ed quietly, her throat so tight at the sight of him that her voice came out as barely more than a whisper

A slow smile curved his lips, but his eyes remained closed "Maria," he purred "You cah I asked for you and I waited"

He final y looked at her, his gaze narrowed and considering "Is it so terribly wrong for me to wish you to er have tiames, St John I came for what you owe me--a clean severance"