Read Online Gift of Desire by Samantha Kane, Kate Pearce - Free Book Online Page B

her. Vanessa was uncharacteristically flustered. Should she turn and hurry on to the retiring room, probably alerting the woman to her presence? Or should she quietly back out the way she’d come? That seemed somehow like a retreat, surrender to the challenge she’d seen gleaming in the gentleman’s dark eyes.
    When a second man stepped out of the shadows and took the woman’s hand from the first man’s shoulder, Vanessa gaped like a green girl. He, too, was watching Vanessa as he kissed the woman’s hand. His hair gleamed in the faint light from the hallway sconce, obviously golden, though light or dark she couldn’t tell. He was taller than his companion. The woman giggled and it was then Vanessa recognized who it was. Miss Dorsett. Not a woman then, but a girl too young to understand the trouble that had found her. With a sigh, Vanessa realized it was up to her to rescue the foolish chit.
    Before she could make her presence known the blond gentleman spoke quietly. “We must return you to the drawing room before you are missed, Melinda.” His voice was a deep whisper, a mere rumble that carried across the hall to Vanessa and she shivered. The dark-haired man smiled at her as if he’d seen the telltale sign of her discomfort and it amused him.
    “Oh pooh,” Melinda said, sounding like a spoiled child. “I was told you two were dangerous, a threat to my virtue. A few kisses and a pinch or two and you’re sending me off? That hardly signifies. I shall have to tell everyone your reputations are much exaggerated.” Vanessa could picture her pouting, though she faced away from Vanessa.
    The dark-haired man laughed quietly. “So now you know our secret. We are truly saints in disguise.” He untangled her arms from around his neck. “Go now. We shall follow after so no one suspects your virtue was threatened.”
    “Well, it wasn’t,” Miss Dorsett declared testily. “I was hoping for some fun with you two this season before I must settle into a staid marriage with someone appropriate. God knows I can’t encourage you as suitors, but I thought at least you could satisfy me in private. I begin to think I shall have to find a different lover to do so.” She patted her hair. “Don’t ask me to dance again. Mama had a fit when I agreed earlier. You are not marriage material, after all.”
    Miss Dorsett turned toward the drawing room and Vanessa swallowed a gasp and stepped back quickly, pressing against the wall behind her as if she could blend into the garish oriental print on the paper there. Even though Miss Dorsett faced the opposite end of the hallway from where Vanessa stood, she feared the girl would detect her presence. She needn’t have worried. It was apparent the young lady was quite put out and too self-interested to notice her surroundings.
    “I shall send for you if I want you,” Miss Dorsett said dismissively. “Until then, stay away. I won’t have you two ruining my chances at a brilliant match. Mama says I am the catch of the season.”
    The dark-haired gentleman bowed over her hand as if in agreement, keeping her attention focused on him while the taller one moved to stand between Vanessa and Miss Dorsett as if to help her hide from the girl. “Of course,” he said in reply. Vanessa recognized the amused disdain in his voice. It was quite confusing as to who had been using whom in their little assignation, for there was clearly no love lost between the three.
    Without a word or look in Vanessa’s direction the two men ushered Miss Dorsett down the hallway between them, leaving Vanessa feeling like an eavesdropping fool as she hurried to the retiring room.
    * * *
     
    Once they were out of sight of the blonde beauty, Nick watched as Oliver grabbed Miss Dorsett’s hand, slowing her retreat to the drawing room. “Melinda, my dear, a question, if you will.”
    Miss Dorsett turned to Oliver, her look smug and self satisfied. Nick almost laughed at her misconception. Oliver had never been