A Taste of Seduction

by Bronwen Evans

Unable to look at him a moment longer, she did not wait for him to escort her to her town coach. She was just about to step up into the carriage when a strong hand gripped her arm to steady her. Heat burned through her clothes at his touch. She closed her eyes at the familiarity, the feel of Hadley beside her, the vibrant heat of his body, the sweet sensations of his touch, as the erotic memories came flooding back. It had been so long since a man touched her with tenderness….

  As she’d thought when she saw him across the room earlier this evening, she still loved him—and hated him in equal measure.

  She didn’t know if she would ever forgive him for putting her through this and not believing in her—in their love.

  She hated that she still wanted him, had longed for his love these past five years. What did that make her, weak? She wasn’t weak. She’d survived.

  Some things could never be forgiven.

  Once he’d handed her into the carriage his touch was gone, and coldness took its place once more. He followed into the carriage and took the seat opposite her.

  Their eyes suddenly locked in the dim streetlight filtering in through the carriage window. She knew from the look on his face that he was remembering the last carriage ride they had shared.

  On their last journey together, he had pulled her into his arms, reaching down to caress her, stroke her, arouse her. The memory of his lean, elegant hands fondling the swell of her breasts and hiking up her dress to stroke her wetness, fingers seeking her most private place until she moaned his name, made her nipples peak with longing.

  For a moment he simply stared at her, his gaze dropping to her breasts, probably noting her reaction.

  “Memories are best left in the past, where they no longer have the ability to hurt you,” she whispered into the darkness as the coach rumbled off.

  That was a truth she knew well, as she tried to forget the misery of the last five years.

  Chapter 3

  Hadley shifted uneasily in the carriage seat and, finally ashamed of his erection, crossed his legs. His fierce arousal had taken him by surprise. Flashes of memories flooded his mind. He inwardly cursed the hot blood that stirred in his loins. He tried to think of the villainess De Palma instead. Even that didn’t work.

  He shouldn’t have touched Evangeline, when just looking at her stirred a reluctant yet heated response.

  She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

  He let anger at her feminine wiles consume him. As soon as they had locked eyes in this carriage he’d seen the blank daze of desire reflected back at him, sensed the subtle softening of her body.

  He turned away from her, disgusted at the raw need that ran through him from just one memory. Being alone with her in the seclusion of her carriage was still having a profound effect on his body, and he hated the power she wielded.

  She was everything he remembered and more. When she’d entered the drawing room earlier this evening his heart had almost stopped. Her auburn hair shone like polished copper; a few long strands flowed over her shoulders, coming to rest on her ample bosom in a teasing array. The sight of her in a cream gown that displayed every luscious curve to perfection aroused his cravings to a painful ache.

  His hands curled against his thighs as his body fought with his mind. Even now he wanted to move to sit beside her and touch her silken skin, trace the outline of her luscious lips with his thumb, slide his arms round her, and bury his head between her full breasts.

  Hadley swore under his breath, wishing she’d never returned to torment him. He resented how she had remained just as alluring as his dreams remembered; worse still, she had the power to make him feel so much.

  He remembered every look, every taste, every touch, and every promise her lying lips had spoken. He had tried to bury them under the avalanche of her betrayal, deep in his heart where she could never hurt him again, but here he was doing her bidding once again. He would have to proceed with caution if he was to remain unscarred from this encounter.

  The only thing to give thanks for was that Evangeline appeared to be agitated by his inner strength. He hadn’t rolled over and let her beauty turn him into her lap dog once more. She now viewed him with a tad more respect. He almost laughed when she first began to understand that her womanly wiles would no longer work on him. He was immune to her tears, having cried too many over her betrayal.

  He would prove to Evangeline that he was a stronger man than before. He would not succumb to her charms again. He would show her the letter and she could be on her way by morning, back to the wilds of Scotland, where she belonged.

  Then I’ll never have to see you again, he was thinking as he stepped out of the carriage. He turned to help her down, but she dropped her muff. He bent to pick it up, and as he did, a shot rang out and a rush of air passed over his head. A gunshot. Instinctively he reached up and pulled Evangeline down to the ground beside him, rolling her under him as he used the wheel for some kind of protection.

  Her driver stood and fired down the street at a man fleeing on horseback. Then there was simply silence.

  Hadley sprang to his feet and held out his hand to Evangeline. She didn’t take it. He looked down and a curse hurtled from his mouth. Blood was spreading over her cream gown. A slight trickle covered her right shoulder. She’d been hit.

  Icy fear gripped him and guilt consumed him as he dropped beside her and pulled her into his arms.

  He pushed his fear away and picked her up, quickly carrying her into his family’s townhouse, calling for Mrs. Booker, the head housekeeper.

  Mrs. Booker immediately took charge, arranging for the doctor to be fetched, and Hadley carried her to his room, on the second floor.

  He kept thinking about the last thought he’d had about her: Then I’ll never have to see you again. He looked down at her pale face as he carried her upstairs, and suddenly he didn’t want there to be a world without Evangeline in it. She might have stomped on his heart, but she didn’t deserve to die from a gunshot he was pretty certain was meant for him.

  Their villainess had decided to strike, and he should have known what she would do. Setting up a second son for disgrace and ruin would be pointless; no one would care. Dead did the job just as well.

  Just then Evangeline let out a moan and her eyelids fluttered open. “What happened? Why are you carrying me?” she asked. She let out a small cry when she tried to move in his arms.

  “Lie still. You’ve been shot.”

  Her eyes widened and her wan cheeks got paler. “Shot? Who? Why?”

  “It was meant for me, but when I bent down to collect your muff, the shot must have hit you instead.”

  “So it’s not just me you have angered recently.”

  He chose to ignore her jibe, not wishing to upset her further. Her eyes were struggling to stay open against the pain, and when he tried to lengthen his stride, her hand gripped his arm where it wrapped around her torso, careful to avoid one plump breast.

  No sooner had he laid her on his large bed than Mrs. Booker entered with one of the maids.

  “Off with you, my lord. We will see to the lady.”

  “My name is Lady Evangeline Stuart. You may call me Eva,” she said to Mrs. Booker.

  Hadley stood near the bed, not sure what to do. The shot couldn’t have been too serious, as the blood was beginning to slow and congeal. He hadn’t had a chance to examine the wound, but it was near the top of her right shoulder. He hoped it had not broken any bones and that the bullet was not still in there. According to Sebastian, who had been shot in the buttocks last month, it hurt like the devil to get it out.

  His hands itched to tug down the shoulder of the gown to see, but Mrs. Booker would have a fit.

  “My lord, the doctor will be here soon, and we need to get her ladyship ready to receive him.”

  He looked at Evangeline, but she merely gave him a tight smile. He nodded and retreated. At the door he added, “Please send the doctor to see me the minute he has finished his examination. I’ll be in Augu
stus’s study.” Where he intended to drink until the guilt swimming in his veins drowned in alcohol.

  He left the door to the study ajar, wanting to hear what was going on. He slumped into a chair by the fire and hugged the decanter of brandy to his body. If he had not brought Evangeline home with him, she would not be lying up there injured; he, however, would likely be dead.

  At that exact moment he recognized that the woman who’d once broken his heart had just saved his life. He prayed her injury was not, or did not turn into, anything life-threatening.

  That’s not the only reason you’re upset. All his posturing tonight was bullshit. The idea of Evangeline dying filled him with sorrow. A depth of loss sank into his soul and hurt just as much as the day he’d received the note telling him she was marrying another.

  A note spelling out very clearly that his love alone was not enough.

  On that thought, he suddenly realized what bringing her to this house admitted. He’d shown her that she still held power over him.

  She knew he’d kept her letter—her letters.

  What man keeps the letters of a woman who means nothing to him?

  He didn’t bother pouring the brandy into a glass; he simply drank it straight from the decanter.

  “Drinking until you’re drunk won’t help Evangeline.”

  He lowered the decanter. He hadn’t heard Arend arrive.

  “How did you hear what happened?”

  “I’d ease up on the drink. You have a guest who needs your help.” Arend sank into the chair opposite him. “Evangeline’s driver sent a note to Christian’s. I came as soon as I heard. What happened?”

  He slammed the decanter down on the side table. “That bloody bitch.”

  “Let’s not treat the brandy so callously.” Arend held out a glass for him to fill. “I assume you are not talking about Evangeline.”

  Hadley shook his head. “Bloody De Palma. If I hadn’t bent down…That shot was meant for me. Shot in the back. The bitch has no honor.”

  “I thought as much; that’s why I came. Time has run out, and we have to stop her. I’m tired of being nice, of being cautious when our enemy grows bolder. I’m sure it’s bloody Isobel’s stepmother, Victoria. Everything about her fits what we have learned about our enemy. No one we spoke to really knows where she came from, but apparently she’s from the depths of Wales.”

  At Arend’s raised eyebrow, he understood what Arend was indicating. How the hell do you check out a person’s background when they come from Wales?

  Hadley rested his head on the back of his chair and closed his eyes. What a mess. He drew in a deep breath, willing the blood still pumping fast around his body to slow. He’d almost died today.

  “It’s good to feel alive, isn’t it? Or is it that a woman you swore meant nothing to you has you worried sick?”

  He threw what he hoped was an indignant look at Arend. “I almost died. That is what I was thinking. Besides, Evangeline has nothing to do with our enemy’s plans for the Libertine Scholars. She is innocent in that, at least.”

  “According to you, not so innocent. More of a sly, conniving—”

  “She’s not in the same league as De Palma. Evangeline might be a liar, but she’s no killer.”

  Arend sat looking at him for a moment before saying softly, “So what are we going to do about De Palma? You and I have run out of time. It’s obvious she’s getting desperate. Shooting you dead in the middle of the street, in London? Society would not stand for that. Every Bow Street Runner would be employed.”

  Hadley’s head began to pound. He understood what Arend was hinting at. The two of them should investigate Victoria, Isobel’s stepmother. The other Libertine Scholars could deal with the rest of the list.

  “Can we discuss this tomorrow? I need to see to Evangeline first. One bloody problem at a time.” He didn’t miss the flash of anger passing over Arend’s face. “Come back at a decent hour tomorrow and we will work on a strategy. For what it’s worth, I agree with you. Lady Victoria is looking a likely candidate.”

  Arend sighed but rose from his chair. “Fine. I can wait one more night. Watch your back.”

  “It’s you who should be careful. I’m home and I’ve alerted the staff to take turns guarding the house, and I’ve sent word to employ an army of Bow Street Runners for here and Evangeline’s house. You’re welcome to stay the night if you wish.”

  “You sure you don’t want me here simply to stop yourself from doing something stupid with your patient?”

  He wished her could knock the smug look off Arend’s face, but there might have been a bit of truth in his words.

  Arend clapped him on the back. “Breakfast here tomorrow, then.”

  “Good night, Arend.”

  “I shall leave you to your nursing. I hope you have a better bedside manner than you showed her earlier tonight. Remember, she was shot because of you.”

  He rose to walk Arend to the door. “It’s not something I’ll likely forget. I’m pretty sure she won’t let me forget it either.”

  Before Arend took his leave he said to Hadley, “I hope Lady Evangeline recovers quickly. It would be safer for her to be in her own house.”

  Hadley swallowed down his fear. “Would she? I’m concerned I have pulled her into this debacle. If De Palma thinks she means something to me…”

  Arend cursed. “The bitch might use her to lure you out or worse.”

  He nodded. “That’s what I have been mulling over the past half hour. What do I do with Evangeline?”

  “She’d be safer here.”

  She would, but he would not. “She can’t move in here without repercussions. Neither Augustus nor I is married.”

  “It could solve your other problem if she was compromised and you had to marry her.”

  Claire. He’d forgotten he was all but engaged, and that Augustus would be upset if Hadley put that alliance in jeopardy.

  “I would have to ask my mother to come back to town to act as chaperone, and can you imagine the gossip? The ton believe I left Philomena because of her.”

  Footsteps sounded above them. Someone was coming down the stairs.

  Arend nodded. “I’ll send word to Sebastian. His aunt, Lady Alison, might agree to act as chaperone.”

  “Good idea. See if she can come first thing in the morning. We’ll speak more then. Take one of the Runners with you. Good night.”

  With that, Arend left into the dark night. Hadley prayed he would get home in one piece.

  He moved to greet the doctor at the bottom of the stairs. The doctor’s face was not showing any signs of being overly concerned. Hadley hoped that was good news.

  “We’ll talk in the study,” he told the doctor, indicating that he should follow.

  Once they were seated he offered the doctor a brandy. “There is a chill in the air. It will keep you warm on your way home.”

  “Thank you, my lord, most thoughtful.” The doctor took a sip. “Her ladyship was very lucky. The bullet grazed her shoulder. It took a chunk of skin out, though. I needed to administer a few stitches to stop the bleeding, but it’s not life-threatening. I’ve dressed the wound, but it will need changing regularly to lower the risk of infection.”

  Hadley let out the breath he’d been holding, his guilt easing slightly. “That is good news.”

  “The lady is in robust health, and although she’ll have a small scar, there should be no further repercussions.”

  Hadley sat in silence listening to the doctor explain exactly what the bullet had done, anger building at the knowledge that she’d taken a bullet meant for him.

  “May I enquire how this happened, my lord? I tried to get her ladyship to call for the Runners, but she refused. She said you would deal with the situation.” He took a sip of his brandy. “Shocking that thieves have grown so bold as to shoot a woman in this fine area of London. What is the world coming to? Although I wonder if it was straight thievery.”

  “What makes you say that?” He didn’t
want anyone knowing of the Libertine Scholars situation.

  He paused before looking strangely at Hadley. “May I be frank, my lord?” When Hadley nodded, he continued. “During my inspection of her ladyship, I noticed a few strange injuries.”

  “Strange?”

  The doctor colored. “I suspect she has been beaten, and not just once. Her arm has been broken at one stage and reset very badly. And there are other scars. I mention this only in case she needs protection. I understand she is now a wealthy widow, and I wonder if she is being targeted by some nefarious rogue. She told me she has lived in Scotland alone these past twelve months. I wonder if she’s come to London to get help.” The doctor eyed him as if he were Evangeline’s knight in shining armor.

  If her story was true, he was anything but her hero. Jumbled emotions rollicked within his body. Rage like he’d never known rose, followed by bile. Someone had hurt her, deliberately. The idea that her story could be true made his heart twist in agony.

  “Thank you, Doctor, for being frank with me. Have no fear—I will protect her. I have called the Runners, but they are being discreet. Besides, Lord Labourd has asked to organize the hunt for the perpetrator. I have a wounded guest to see to.”

  The doctor nodded. “Very wise. We cannot have young women being shot at in the respectable streets of London.”

  “Quite.”

  “I shall take my leave, but I’ll be back to check on the wound. The next few days are where the risk of infection is likely. She should stay resting and not too much movement of that shoulder until the stitches take.”

  Hadley stood as Thurston, the family butler, arrived to show the doctor out. “I shall try to get her to obey your instructions, but the lady has a mind of her own.”

  “Don’t they all,” the doctor said, smiling. He took his leave.

  Hadley’s gut was churning with unease. He needed to speak urgently with Evangeline about the letter.

  Mrs. Booker knocked on the door, and he bid her enter.

  “I’ve sent word to her ladyship’s home to alert them to the fact she’s been hurt, but that it is nothing to be concerned about. I didn’t want anyone worrying.”