Read Online Seducing the Rake (Mad, Bad and Dangerous Heroes) by Christina Skye - Free Book Online Page A

his hand rise, only to clench and drop back to his side a moment later.
    Could it be that he, too, held memories of that summer? That sometimes he felt regret for the way things had turned out?
    Dreamer! Chessy cursed her stubborn, reckless imagination. She knew a great deal more of the world now than she had then.
    She would not be fooled again.
    Her eyes narrowed as the earl settled his long frame lazily in the wing chair beside the settee. “I’m waiting, Chessy.”
    “And you can bloody well go on waiting, your lordship.”
    His booted foot swung idly. “My, my. One would think that London didn’t agree with you.”
    “It doesn’t. ”
    “I shouldn’t wonder at it, if you persist in going about dressed in that outlandish costume.”
    Chessy’s cheeks flamed anew. “What’s wrong with this outfit? It is perfectly functional—and comfortable to boot. Which is a great deal more than the scandalous dresses I’ve seen your society women wearing about on the street!”
    Morland’s brow arched. “Oh, not my women, certainly. I always see that they are properly dressed. In public, at least.”
    Chessy bit down an angry retort. He was just trying to goad her!
    With that thought in mind, she lowered her eyelids and shot Morland a smile that would have made crème brûlée taste bland in comparison. “So sorry to offend your refined sensibilities, my lord. Of course I wouldn’t dream of detaining you any longer. It must be excruciating to be in the presence of such a boorish rustic like myself.” 
    Morland’s boot continued to swing slowly.
    “Leave, damn you!”
    “Out of the question, my dear. Not before I have answers.”
    “Very well, since you show absolutely no sign of behaving as a gentleman ought, I see I shall have to call—”
    A knock came from the doorway. A ruddy manservant in outdated livery appeared. “Feeling better, are you, miss? Right good thing the earl was on hand to catch you. Sheet-white, you was, and him lifting you like a bit of cotton fluff. Carried you straight up, he did, which was very civil-like, if you ask me.”
    “I did not ask you, Swithin,” Chessy muttered. “Now throw the man out, if you please.”
    “Throw him—” The servant’s eyes widened. “But why would I want to do a bird-brained thing like that, Miss Chessy?”
    “Because I’m ordering you to, that’s why! And don’t be fooled by the man’s smooth manner. He’s a liar, a cheat, and the worst sort of rake!”
    Swithin’s broad brow furrowed. “Is that a fact? Never would have thought it to look at him. Dresses well enough. And that’s one prime set of cattle waiting out in the street.” He scratched his head. “I reckon you’re sure about that, Miss Chessy? About him being a liar and a cheat and all?”
    The object of this discussion merely continued to swing his foot, a lazy smile on his face.
    “Of course I’m sure!”
    Morland bent close, and his fingers curved around her wrist. “Enough, Chessy,” he said softly. “You’re overwrought. You ought to be resting, not digging up imagined offenses that took place ten years ago.”
    Her violet eyes blazed. “ Imagined? I suppose I imagined everything that happened while my father and I slept. Without a letter, without a single word, you slunk off in the middle of an important excavation, leaving us short-handed, with no way to finish before the monsoon set in. And you try to tell me I’m overwrought !”
    Swithin scratched his jaw. “Now, now. Miss Chessy. It don’t pay to—”
    Chessy ignored him, shoving at Morland’s hands and trying to sit up.
    But the azure-eyed earl was having none of it. “Hush. We’ll have plenty of time to argue about that after you rest.” His fingers circled her trembling arms. They sketched soothing patterns against her skin.
    And Chessy felt every touch, every hint of motion. They raced down to her toes, lanced deep into her stomach. Damn the man! Did he think all it took was a caress or two and she