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“Perhaps because the late Lord Lynton was related to herto keep his voice neutral as he suppressed the urge to tell this spoiled daughter of the ton that he did indeed recognize a trollop when he saw one—and it wasn’t Miss Antinori

Be cautious, he ordered himself, at least until you’ve discovered the whole of her scheme

Mastering his contempt with an effort, he said, “As you pointed out, Lynton does have a fondness for the girl What would happen if he discovered our…assignations? I have no desire to findat him over the barrel of my pistol”

“I doubt it would come to that! Most likely if he did discover the liaison, he would finally have his eyes opened to the creature’s true character And if there should be…difficulties, you need only retire to the country for a time while the scandal blows over”

Will shook his head “I’ve no desire to rusticate for years in rural obscurity, my lady”

She waved an iht’s wonder it would be, if the on-dit lasted that long Once the ton learned the particulars, they would think no more of it than if they discovered you’d taken some chit from the opera as your mistress The orchestra is her properscorn “And of course, if you should need so your short exile, I’m sure I could assist”

Her audacity and total lack of remorse almost choked him Will had to s hard before he responded, “Pray remind me what I would derive from this scheme?”

“Beyond the i, she slid closer to him “If you require more…inducement, I understand you’ve turned your eye toward Dianthe Herndon She’s extremely fastidious about her lovers, but since she’s a close friend of mine, I could whisper a word in her ear for you”

Trying to drive the scent of her perfume out of his nostrils, Will shook his head “Kind of you, but I’ve no interest in the lady”

“Indeed?” Sapphira leaned toward hi up, her full lips alratitude” She lowered her breathy tone to a whisper “My very…personal…gratitude” She tilted her chin up and closed her eyes

Though his body clamored for him to lean down the short distance that separated thee, reaching instead to intercept her hand before her groping fingers found his trouser flap

The fact that she could use her sensuality to force a reaction froh her proposition affronted hie Never in his life had he been so close to striking a woman Hoished she were a man, not just so he would be ie her to

But, alas, Sapphira Lynton was a woentleman not of her family to chastise For a ance that led her to believe she was justified in plotting to ruin a girl whose only criard by the family of whom she was a distant connection

Perhaps, given her beauty and the hold she’d always maintained over society, it wasn’t incredible that Sapphira rated her char rewarded with her body would send hih, that she held so slight an opinion of his honor that she thought he could that easily bean innocent

After several moments, when he did not avail himself of her lips, she opened her eyes and looked at him, her expression puzzled

That confusion turned to a surprise bordering shock when he thrust away the hand he’d seized and stood up

“’Tis a very…interesting proposition, ravity it merits”

Unable to tolerate the sight of her another moment, he bowed and strode away

Breathing hard, his thoughts still scrae, Will stalked down the stairs to claiton town house Reaching the other side of the street, he waved away a linkboy’s offer to find hiusts that wreathed his head like sht air