Read Online A Dash of Scandal by Amelia Grey - Free Book Online Page B

The contact was no more than a butterfly’s brush, but she had felt it all the way down to her toes. He was right, she was sensitive to everything about him. His mere presence had her senses on alert.
    â€œI said nothing because I was sure you had touched me by mistake, and I didn’t want to alarm you.”
    â€œIt would take a great deal more than a brush of hands with a beautiful woman to alarm me, I assure you. How thoughtful of you to think of my feelings, but no, Miss Blair, I caressed your hand by design not mistake.”
    He smiled that knowing smile as they took their places on the crowded dance floor and waited for the music to begin.
    â€œYou are no gentleman, sir.”
    â€œSometimes. I thought you would pretend forever that I hadn’t touched you. You surprise me, Miss Blair, and I like surprises.”
    â€œYou wear your title of rake well, my lord. Not only did you stroke my hand, but you deigned to blow me a kiss. It was most inappropriate for you to do so.”
    â€œI thought it dashing.”
    â€œDashing? I believe mischievous is the word you meant to say, for surely it was.”
    He laughed softly, attractively. Once again Millicent felt a strange fluttering sensation in her stomach. As much as she hated to admit it, there was something remarkably appealing about him. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make herself be truly angry with him. Oh, yes, knowing how she responded to his charm and his gentle touch, she believed he was a scoundrel of the highest order.
    â€œYou are not only a lady of great beauty, Miss Blair, you are a lady of delightfully quick wit. I haven’t been called impish in years. I’m impressed.”
    â€œIt’s not my desire to please you or to entertain you, my lord. I only want to be done with you.”
    He laughed softly. “Tell me, would you believe me if I told you that most of whatever you may have heard about me is not true?”
    â€œI think that would make your integrity as suspect as your flattery.”
    The music started and the dance began. Millicent didn’t have time to think. She could only fall into his rhythm and step and let him lead her through the dance steps. When his hand touched hers, the tingles skittered up her back as if she weren’t wearing gloves at all.
    He picked up the conversation where they had left off and said in a low seductive voice, “In that case, Miss Blair, I won’t bother to deny a single word you have heard about me, and you can assume it is all true. How’s that?”
    â€œPerfect,” Millicent answered as she yielded to his expert leading in the dance.
    â€œI can see I’ve made you happy.”
    â€œI would have been happier had you not sought an introduction. Something tells me you somehow knew I would be free to accept your invitation of this dance.”
    â€œHow could I possibly know that? I would have to be a wizard.”
    â€œPerhaps you are. I’ve heard you have great power over young ladies and that you can make them endanger their reputations and lose their heads over you.”
    â€œThe gossips give me more credit than I deserve, Miss Blair. I simply wanted to meet you and dance with you. I had no idea what dances you had free.”
    Millicent felt her hand tighten in his, and she was certain he put emphasis on the word what. He couldn’t possibly know what she was doing, could he?
    â€œI’ve not seen your card. You could have already promised this dance to another.”
    â€œYes, of course.”
    If Millicent wasn’t careful, her guilty conscience was going to make her say the wrong thing and make him suspicious of her. She didn’t need anyone asking her too many questions.
    â€œSo you are only in London for the Season?” he asked after a moment of silence.
    â€œPerhaps a little longer, I can’t be sure right now.”
    â€œAnd where do you call home?” he asked as the tips of his