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like—like a shiny prize.”
    “And you think Eric will grab at it? I didn’t know you thought so little of him.”
    “No, I don’t—but oh! I don’t know. Why tempt him?”
    “London is full of temptations,” he said, putting his arms around her again. “A man who cares for one woman won’t be tempted by any other. Just look at me if you doubt that.”
    “But we’re married. And Eric is not. And I’m not even sure if he thinks about Camille that way. You know, I believe that’s why Camille is fostering that girl, whether she fully knows it or not. She wants to give him every chance to hurt her now, before shelets her desires entirely run away with her good sense.”
    “No,” he said thoughtfully. “I think it’s just her way. She never retreats from fear. If there was a noise in the night, she’d go downstairs with a candle—and a cricket bat.” He chuckled. “She’d rather seek out danger and defeat it than huddle under the bedcovers. Giving Eric enough rope to hang herself may be part of it, but I don’t think it’s all a test for him. Much of it is just her way. Strays gravitate to her, and she treats them royally.”
    His wife remained silent. But something about the girl rankled Belle. It wasn’t just because she was a real beauty. Perhaps that was part of it, she’d silently admitted when she’d capitulated and given Nell a room she’d offer any guest. After all, she’d always hated competition. Even now, secure as she was, she had to guard against that base emotion. Still, her worst fears were for Camille, her devotion to her sister-in-law surprising even herself. She didn’t want to see her hurt. She herself had once been a sort of stray, and Camille had warmly welcomed her into Miles’s family. In doing so, she taught her how wonderful the friendship of another female could be.
    “Camille’s generous to a fault,” Miles said. “She’s also brave, honest, and kind. Those are just some of the things that make her the remarkable woman she is.”
    Belle looked up at him. “Will Eric know? Will he appreciate it?”
    “If he doesn’t, then she’s better off knowing that now, isn’t she?”
    “But why does she fling temptation in his face?” she asked peevishly.
    “The girl lives here. Am I tempted?”
    She grew still. “Are you?”
    He answered her promptly and exactly as she would wish: fully, convincingly, and at length, and with his lips—although he never spoke a word.

Chapter 5
    T he first thing Camille saw was that illness became Eric. His face was a bit gaunt and he seemed tired, but his newly lean face made his cheekbones seem even higher and the weariness made him look seductive. In any case, he looked even more handsome than ever to her. The wretch! she thought, eying him, he’d look wonderful on his deathbed .
    She grew a tremulous smile when he stood as they entered his parlor. As an invalid, he was permitted to dress comfortably for their visit, and he had taken advantage of it. His honey-colored hair was a little overlong but neatly brushed, and he was clean-shaven. He wore no jacket, waistcoat, or neckcloth, only a dark-gold patterned dressingrobe over a white shirt and tan breeches. Most gentlemen of the ton used their clothing to emphasize their figure or their rank. Eric didn’t need to do either. He didn’t require a neckcloth to hold up his proud head or a carefully tailored jacket to nip in his trim waist or padding to emphasis his wide shoulders. Freed from the strict rules of fashionable gentlemen’s clothing, he looked clean and correct and incredibly virile.
    “My lady,” he said, as he bowed over Belle’s hand, greeting her with easy grace. Then he turned his attention to Camille and grinned at her. Finally, he noticed Nell. He stared. Camille’s smile slipped as he kept staring.
    “I see you are well,” he told Nell gravely as he took her hand.
    Anyone could see that, Camille thought, with a funny feeling in her stomach. After all, Nell