Read Online The Devil Rogue by Lori Villarreal - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lori Villarreal
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notice . It did work out w ork rather nicely. ”
“Yes, and I’m impressed by your quick-thinking.”
“There’s nothing else, just the kitten-saving story . Now let’s get those dresses, or you’ll be dining with his lordship in your undergarments .” Rosemary grinned wickedly. “T hen again, it might not be such a bad idea . T here’s nothing like a beautiful, naked woman to soften a man’s temper.”
Angela gasped, though she smiled at the image ry Rosemary’s words invoked .
ANGELA ENTERED THE dining room with apprehension . She wonder ed what story she could conjure up as a reason why her dress was so plain . In deference to the summer heat, she ’ d picked out two of Rosemary’s lightweight gowns . The one she w ore now was a dark silver shade that complimented her deep, blue eyes . It had a modest neckline, fitting snugly under the bust, flow ing gently down to the tops of her feet for a flattering look.
H er father had destroyed everything in the trunk, including her shoes and under garments. At the moment, s he owned only one c hemise and one pair of shoes , the same ones she’d arrived in . They didn’t quite match the color of the dress, but nothing could be done about it . She highly doubted Blackridge would even notice.
“Good evening, Miss Hopkins .” Blackridge’s deep voice came from the shadows near the room’s only window . The curtains had been drawn, shutting out the world , while glowing c andles creating a n intimate, cozy atmosphere . The table was set for two, at one end of the table.
“ So , it’s Miss Hopkins now. Aren’t you going to ask me to fetch your slippers? Isn’t that what servants do?”
“That’s what dogs are trained to do, Miss Hopkins. You are certainly no dog.
He moved away from the window, sauntering in her direction with the controlled grace of a stalking tiger . “I shall address you as it pleases me , and I always do what pleases me.”
“I suppose I should expect no less, my lord.”
“What’s this you’re wearing?” he asked with a flourish of his hand , refer ring to her gown . “I seem to recall suggesting you wear something a little more elegant . ” His gaze moved slowly down the entire length of her body, halting at her hem. “ And your shoes don’t match. ”
So much for hoping he wouldn’t notice that , Angela thought bitterly . “Oh ? It must have slipped my attention.”
“ It’s been my experience that most ladies are quite fastidious about their appearance, right down to the very tips of their toes. ”
“Perhaps I prefer to be unconventional ,” Angela said sweetly. “ But I believe your suggestion was more in the line of an order .”
He placed an index finger under her chin, gently forcing her to look up at him . “You are correct . It was an order . Do you disobey me, princess?”
Struggling with the urge to fidget, Angela forced herself to stand still, to maintain eye contact . His eyes, she observed, were a strange combination of green and gold, like a cat’s eyes , or a hawk’s, as she’d first thought . They were mesmerizing , s ensual , p redatory . He was waiting for her answer . “ Yes . I-I mean no – er that is, I did not intend to disobey you, my lord. ”
“Explain.”
His finger traveled from her chin, down the column of her throat to trace the small hollow at the base . Her thoughts scattered like dandelion wisps in the wind as the tip of his finger drew upward to tease the contours of her ear.
She stepped back when a servant entered to announce dinner was ready to be served , gaining some much needed breathing space . His hand, which had been left suspended in mid-air, dropped to his side . His expression betrayed his amusement at her obvious dis comfort .
When they were both seated at the table, he resumed their conversation . “I’m still waiting for your explanation, princess.”
“ All of my gowns have been ruined.” She decided to tell as much of the truth as possible,
“Yes, and I’m impressed by your quick-thinking.”
“There’s nothing else, just the kitten-saving story . Now let’s get those dresses, or you’ll be dining with his lordship in your undergarments .” Rosemary grinned wickedly. “T hen again, it might not be such a bad idea . T here’s nothing like a beautiful, naked woman to soften a man’s temper.”
Angela gasped, though she smiled at the image ry Rosemary’s words invoked .
ANGELA ENTERED THE dining room with apprehension . She wonder ed what story she could conjure up as a reason why her dress was so plain . In deference to the summer heat, she ’ d picked out two of Rosemary’s lightweight gowns . The one she w ore now was a dark silver shade that complimented her deep, blue eyes . It had a modest neckline, fitting snugly under the bust, flow ing gently down to the tops of her feet for a flattering look.
H er father had destroyed everything in the trunk, including her shoes and under garments. At the moment, s he owned only one c hemise and one pair of shoes , the same ones she’d arrived in . They didn’t quite match the color of the dress, but nothing could be done about it . She highly doubted Blackridge would even notice.
“Good evening, Miss Hopkins .” Blackridge’s deep voice came from the shadows near the room’s only window . The curtains had been drawn, shutting out the world , while glowing c andles creating a n intimate, cozy atmosphere . The table was set for two, at one end of the table.
“ So , it’s Miss Hopkins now. Aren’t you going to ask me to fetch your slippers? Isn’t that what servants do?”
“That’s what dogs are trained to do, Miss Hopkins. You are certainly no dog.
He moved away from the window, sauntering in her direction with the controlled grace of a stalking tiger . “I shall address you as it pleases me , and I always do what pleases me.”
“I suppose I should expect no less, my lord.”
“What’s this you’re wearing?” he asked with a flourish of his hand , refer ring to her gown . “I seem to recall suggesting you wear something a little more elegant . ” His gaze moved slowly down the entire length of her body, halting at her hem. “ And your shoes don’t match. ”
So much for hoping he wouldn’t notice that , Angela thought bitterly . “Oh ? It must have slipped my attention.”
“ It’s been my experience that most ladies are quite fastidious about their appearance, right down to the very tips of their toes. ”
“Perhaps I prefer to be unconventional ,” Angela said sweetly. “ But I believe your suggestion was more in the line of an order .”
He placed an index finger under her chin, gently forcing her to look up at him . “You are correct . It was an order . Do you disobey me, princess?”
Struggling with the urge to fidget, Angela forced herself to stand still, to maintain eye contact . His eyes, she observed, were a strange combination of green and gold, like a cat’s eyes , or a hawk’s, as she’d first thought . They were mesmerizing , s ensual , p redatory . He was waiting for her answer . “ Yes . I-I mean no – er that is, I did not intend to disobey you, my lord. ”
“Explain.”
His finger traveled from her chin, down the column of her throat to trace the small hollow at the base . Her thoughts scattered like dandelion wisps in the wind as the tip of his finger drew upward to tease the contours of her ear.
She stepped back when a servant entered to announce dinner was ready to be served , gaining some much needed breathing space . His hand, which had been left suspended in mid-air, dropped to his side . His expression betrayed his amusement at her obvious dis comfort .
When they were both seated at the table, he resumed their conversation . “I’m still waiting for your explanation, princess.”
“ All of my gowns have been ruined.” She decided to tell as much of the truth as possible,
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