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Afor his kiss—in a way she had never, a little voice added, longed for Rob’s

Shocked by the thought, Allegra gave a little gasp She looked up quickly, but her escort, occupied by the traffic on the roadway, did not appear to have noticed

From whence had that nonsensical notion come? she wondered Of course she wanted Rob to kiss her! Hadn’t she drea him carry her off across his saddle bow? And of course, when he did, she would experience the sa in the breasts she felt when Tavener fixed her with one of his hot gazes, or murmured his delicious improprieties

Which was precisely the point, she reassured herself Rob had never looked at or spoken to her thus, so how could she have felt such reactions? Far too proper and honorable to trifle with the sensibilities of a virtuous lances or te speeches, most likely not until after his chosen lady had consented to become his wife

She knew she hadn’t leam of sensual appreciation she’d seen several times in his eyes, when he didn’t realize she kneas looking at her Maybe she ought to soe him to act on his attraction Perhaps if she could entice hinize it was permissible to see her as more than the kindred spirit of his youth That it was a natural and honorable progression to allow himself to view her as a woman, a lady for whom he could feel both love and passion

Encouraged by that conclusion, she was sain when Tavener pulled up his horses at the Lynton town house

CHAPTER EIGHT

AFTER ESCORTING Miss Antinori to her front door, Will set off toward ho the incident in the park

He would indeed like to keep Allegra Antinori for hi harm to her as he would be to injure Lucilla, he must in future be more careful No more excursions without her chaperone, alas And ifaround—with her allure, how could any man resist?—he would also have to watch his conversation, that he give none of the fah had exhibited in the park

At least, he’d have to watch what he said when there were others nearby Recalling soes, he had to sht some of his sensual references, she was still an innocent—a co as it was unique

Both his senses and his extensive experience omen promised him that beneath the untouched exterior of that luscious body lay a depth of passion just waiting for the right ht be that man!

Dae of desire the idea evoked, he sighed ’Twas a shame she was not the opera dancer or chanteuse her dusky beauty hinted at Were she a lady of s her into a delightful ga conclusion

But Miss Antinori was a genteel virgin The fact that she responded—and knew she responded—to the sensual banter he couldn’t see in around her both excited and disturbed him

Theirs could be no casual, mutually enjoyable tryst If she follohere desire proe

Which was exactly what Lucilla was urging But not with Miss Antinori His cousin had ainst the girl personally, given her dubious upbringing and the tarnish on his own reputation, he ought to bypass her and pursue a lady of unquestioned character

He had to ad with his curiosity to discover if Miss Antinori would be as intriguing in daylight as she’d been in the glow of the candelabra, irritation at Lucilla’s sensible advice had prompted him to call on her As he’d suspected, a further acquaintance with Miss Antinori only confirliht In addition to the ever-present sensual allure, she was an interesting and delightful companion

But it was more than that Some…connection he couldn’t put a na he’d never felt before The strength of that pull was both co

He enjoyed women, the warmth of their voices, the softness of their bodies, the rush of sexual release they afforded, and several tis Miss Antinori engendered, however, were stronger, sharper…different in a way beyond his previous experience