Read Online The Temptation of Lady Serena by Ella Quinn - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ella Quinn
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Matching pearl drops highlighted her shell-like ears, and there was that curl over her left breast, tempting him to touch her.
A light pink infused her cheeks and Serena lowered her gaze.
Drat. Could she have read his thoughts? Now what was he supposed to say? “So tell me, Lady Serena, what is it you enjoy most about being in Town?”
When she glanced up, he became lost in her eyes.
“People have been so kind to me.”
He didn’t expect that. Anger rose at the thought she might have been hurt. “Did the people you knew before not treat you as they should?”
“Oh, it wasn’t that. All of them were my dependants.” Serena’s answer reassured him. “I—I didn’t have much interaction with anyone else. I never truly thought to find the people in London so welcoming.”
Robert held her gaze for a few moments. Once again, her candor was unexpected and for the first time in his life, he had no witty response.
He returned Serena to her circle and retreated to a pillar he could stand against to watch her. His plan to grow tired of her had failed. Each time Robert saw her, he wanted her more. Touching her made his body yearn for what it couldn’t have and awakened a desire he’d never experienced before. His battered heart stirred. Lady Serena was far more dangerous than he’d thought.
Serena’s thoughts drifted to Lord Beaumont while she chatted with the other ladies between the dance sets. He’d seemed concerned, as if he wanted to protect her.
Lord Waverly claimed her for the next set, a country dance she knew well. Serena glanced over at Lord Beaumont. He was hopelessly handsome and appeared so alone. The thought that he could have a bad reputation disturbed her more than she wanted to admit. He’d gone to great lengths to stand up with her this evening, and she didn’t know what to make of it.
Serena looked up at Lord Waverly. This was so different than her dance with Lord Beaumont. Serena’s experience with gentlemen, other than in her family, could fit in a thimble. Even her brother and father hadn’t been around very much. She’d not been out of the schoolroom when her mother passed away. After her father died and her brother remained on Wellington’s staff, she’d been alone. Serena was out of her depth when it came to men, but now Phoebe and Anna could advise her.
Lord Waverly returned Serena to her friends and Lord Beaumont claimed her for his second dance, a waltz. She hid a grin when Miss Emerson sighed.
Serena steeled herself to feel Lord Beaumont’s hand on her waist. It didn’t help. She drew in a sharp breath as her heart pounded in her chest and her knees almost gave way. This was far, far worse than with the dancing master.
“Is anything wrong?” Lord Beaumont asked.
“No, no. I’m just not sure I know the steps of the dance well enough,” she lied.
He twirled her down the floor and into the turn. “But you waltz delightfully. Why were you worried?”
“It is my first time waltzing in public. You dance very well, my lord. Though I have only Uncle Henry, Marcus, and the dancing master to compare you to.”
He had only a polite smile on his face. “A leveler. Thank you for your praise, particularly considering my competition.”
Her anxious gaze flew to his. This was not going well at all. “Did I say something wrong?”
His eyes softened. “No, not in the least.” His murmur was deep and his green eyes heated as they had before. “Would I could dance every set with you and keep you in conversation all evening.”
Serena blushed again but did not answer. He was certain to think her some sort of dunce. She needed to think of something to say.
They came to the turn and he drew her a bit closer. Lady Serena was so quiet and had not responded. Had he offended her? Was she even more innocent than he’d thought? His body’s near constant desire faded a bit with his concern that she was unhappy.
For some reason, it was very important that he draw her out and
A light pink infused her cheeks and Serena lowered her gaze.
Drat. Could she have read his thoughts? Now what was he supposed to say? “So tell me, Lady Serena, what is it you enjoy most about being in Town?”
When she glanced up, he became lost in her eyes.
“People have been so kind to me.”
He didn’t expect that. Anger rose at the thought she might have been hurt. “Did the people you knew before not treat you as they should?”
“Oh, it wasn’t that. All of them were my dependants.” Serena’s answer reassured him. “I—I didn’t have much interaction with anyone else. I never truly thought to find the people in London so welcoming.”
Robert held her gaze for a few moments. Once again, her candor was unexpected and for the first time in his life, he had no witty response.
He returned Serena to her circle and retreated to a pillar he could stand against to watch her. His plan to grow tired of her had failed. Each time Robert saw her, he wanted her more. Touching her made his body yearn for what it couldn’t have and awakened a desire he’d never experienced before. His battered heart stirred. Lady Serena was far more dangerous than he’d thought.
Serena’s thoughts drifted to Lord Beaumont while she chatted with the other ladies between the dance sets. He’d seemed concerned, as if he wanted to protect her.
Lord Waverly claimed her for the next set, a country dance she knew well. Serena glanced over at Lord Beaumont. He was hopelessly handsome and appeared so alone. The thought that he could have a bad reputation disturbed her more than she wanted to admit. He’d gone to great lengths to stand up with her this evening, and she didn’t know what to make of it.
Serena looked up at Lord Waverly. This was so different than her dance with Lord Beaumont. Serena’s experience with gentlemen, other than in her family, could fit in a thimble. Even her brother and father hadn’t been around very much. She’d not been out of the schoolroom when her mother passed away. After her father died and her brother remained on Wellington’s staff, she’d been alone. Serena was out of her depth when it came to men, but now Phoebe and Anna could advise her.
Lord Waverly returned Serena to her friends and Lord Beaumont claimed her for his second dance, a waltz. She hid a grin when Miss Emerson sighed.
Serena steeled herself to feel Lord Beaumont’s hand on her waist. It didn’t help. She drew in a sharp breath as her heart pounded in her chest and her knees almost gave way. This was far, far worse than with the dancing master.
“Is anything wrong?” Lord Beaumont asked.
“No, no. I’m just not sure I know the steps of the dance well enough,” she lied.
He twirled her down the floor and into the turn. “But you waltz delightfully. Why were you worried?”
“It is my first time waltzing in public. You dance very well, my lord. Though I have only Uncle Henry, Marcus, and the dancing master to compare you to.”
He had only a polite smile on his face. “A leveler. Thank you for your praise, particularly considering my competition.”
Her anxious gaze flew to his. This was not going well at all. “Did I say something wrong?”
His eyes softened. “No, not in the least.” His murmur was deep and his green eyes heated as they had before. “Would I could dance every set with you and keep you in conversation all evening.”
Serena blushed again but did not answer. He was certain to think her some sort of dunce. She needed to think of something to say.
They came to the turn and he drew her a bit closer. Lady Serena was so quiet and had not responded. Had he offended her? Was she even more innocent than he’d thought? His body’s near constant desire faded a bit with his concern that she was unhappy.
For some reason, it was very important that he draw her out and
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