working in the east wing. He went down the corridor with long,
determined strides.
Imogen Waterstone had already caused enough commotion in
his life, he decided. It was time he took control of his own fate. He
always fulfilled his promises, but, as he had warned Horatia, he did
so on his own terms.
A series of thuds guided him to the open door of a bedchamber
on the left side of the passageway. Matthias halted in the opening
and surveyed the interior.
The chamber was a dark, shadowed room that had been deco
rated in the same funereal style as the rest of the house. Heavy
black curtains had been tied back from the windows, but the light
that entered had little impact on the overall gloom. The bed was
shrouded in colors suitable to mourning. Black and maroon hang
ings cascaded from the ceiling.
Far and away the most interesting sight in the chamber was
Imogen's nicely rounded backside. Matthias felt a sharp tug in the
vicinity of his groin.
The lush curve of Imogen's derriere was displayed in a provocative manner due to her somewhat awkward position. She was bent
over at the waist, attempting to haul a large iron-bound trunk out
from under the black-draped bed. The skirts of her bombazine
gown had risen several inches in back to reveal elegantly shaped
calves clad in white stockings. Matthias had a sudden, nearly over
whelming desire to explore the territory above the tops of the
stockings.
The powerful wave of desire that rolled through him took him
by surprise. He drew a long breath and forced himself to concen
trate on the problem at hand.
Miss Waterstone?"
What in the world?" Imogen came upright with a quick, startled movement. She whirled around, her face flushed from her
recent exertions. Her hand swept out and struck a small, ugly
statue of a tomb deity standing on a nearby table. The little clay
monstrosity crashed to the floor and shattered.
Oh, dear." Imogen frowned at the broken statue.
Don't waste any regrets on it," Matthias advised after a single
glance at the remains of the statue. It's not Zamarian."
No, it isn't, is it." Imogen reached up to straighten her little
white cap, which had listed to one side. I did not hear you coming
down the hall, my lord. You cannot possibly be finished with the
library?"
No, madam, I have barely even begun. I have come up here to
discuss something more important."
She brightened. Our plans to trap Vanneck?"
Your plans, not mine, Miss Waterstone. misses Elibank and I have
discussed the matter in some detail, and we are both of the same
opinion. Your scheme is ill-advised, rash, and possibly quite
dangerous."
Imogen stared at him, dismay darkening her eyes. Sir, you
cannot stop me."
I was almost certain you would say that." He studied her for a
moment. What will you do if I refuse to assist you by playing the
role that you have assigned to me?"
She eyed him uncertainly. You refuse to keep your promise to
my uncle?"
Miss Waterstone, the promise I made to Selwyn was rather
vague in nature. It is open to interpretation, and since I made the
promise, I shall interpret it."
Hmm." She put her hands on her hips and began to tap her toe.
You intend to default on your promise, do you not?"
No. I always keep my promises, Miss Waterstone, and this one
will be no exception." Matthias realized he was growing angry. I
have concluded that the best way I can repay my debt to your
uncle, however, is to keep you out of dangerous mischief."
I warn you, sir, you may refuse to aid me, but you cannot stop
me from carrying out my plan. I will admit that your support
would be invaluable, but I am certain that I can attract Vanneck's
attention without you."
Is that so?" Matthias took a step into the chamber. And just
how will you do that, Miss Waterstone? Will you meet him in a
private bedchamber again as you did three years ago? I must
admit, such an offer will no doubt capture his interest."
Imogen looked dumbfounded for an instant. Then outrage lit
her eyes. How dare you, sir?"
Chagrin lanced through Matthias. He suppressed it. The ends
justified the means in this case, he assured himself. He clamped his
teeth together. I apologize for bringing up the incident, Miss
Waterstone."
As well you should."
But," he continued relentlessly, I fail to see how either of us
can ignore the past. Facts are facts. If Vanneck seduced you once,
he will surely attempt to do so again. And unless you intend to use
your very charming person to lure him into your plot"
Bloody hell. Vanneck did not seduce me three years ago, sir. He
compromised me. There is a vast difference."
There is?"
One is reality, the other is merely a matter of appearances."
Imogen sniffed disdainfully. I would have thought that a man of
your intelligence would have been able to detect the essential
distinction between the two."
Matthias's temper flared without warning. Very well, split hairs,
if you will. It changes nothing. The problem remains. You are not
going to find it easy to handle a man of Vanneck's nature."
I assure you, I can and will handle him. But I am beginning to
think that you are correct in one regard, sir. Perhaps I do not
require your services. When I initially formed my plan, I thought
you would be extremely useful, but now I begin to wonder if you
might prove more of a hindrance than a help."
For some reason that Matthias could not fathom, Imogen's
scathing retort served only to further fan the flames of his anger.
Indeed?"
Obviously you are not the man I had believed you to be, my
lord."
Hell and damnation. Just what sort of man did you believe me
to be?"
I had assumed, incorrectly it seems, that you were a man of
action, the sort of man who does not flinch from danger. A man
capable of going forth into adventure without a second's hesitation."
Where did you gain that peculiar notion?"
From your articles on ancient Zamar. I concluded from the
thrilling accounts of your travels and explorations that you had
actually lived through those adventures." She gave him a scornful
smile. Perhaps I was mistaken."
Miss Waterstone, are you implying that I base my articles on
secondhand researches, as that damnable L. A. Stone does?"
L. A. Stone is entirely honest about the sources of his information, sir. He does not claim to have observed firsthand all that he
writes about. You do. You pass yourself off as a man of action, but
now it seems that you are not that sort of man at all."
I do not pass myself off as anything but what I am, you exasperating little"
Apparently you write fiction rather than fact, sir. Bad enough
that I thought you to be a clever, resourceful gentleman given to
feats of daring. I have also been laboring under the equally
mistaken assumption that you are a man who woul
d put matters
of honor ahead of petty considerations of inconvenience."
Are you calling my honor as well as my manhood into question?"
Why shouldn't I? You are clearly indebted to me, sir, yet you
obviously wish to avoid making payment on that debt."
I was indebted to your uncle, not to you."
I have explained to you that I inherited the debt," she retorted.
Matthias took another gliding step into the grim chamber. Miss
Waterstone, you try my patience."
I would not dream of doing so," she said, her voice dangerously
sweet. I have concluded that you will not do at all as an associate
in my scheme. I hereby release you from your promise. Be gone,
sir."
Bloody hell, woman. You are not going to get rid of me so
easily." Matthias crossed the remaining distance between them
with two long strides and clamped his hands around her shoulders.
Touching her was a mistake. Anger metamorphosed into desire
in the wink of an eye.
For an instant he could not move. His insides seemed to have
been seized by a powerful fist. Matthias tried to breathe, but
Imogen's scent filled his head, clouding his brain. He looked down
into the bottomless depths of her blue-green eyes and wondered
if he would drown. He opened his mouth to conclude the argument with a suitably repressive remark, but the words died in his
throat.
The outrage vanished from Imogen's gaze. It was replaced by
sudden concern. My lord? Is something wrong?"
Yes." It was all he could do to get the word past his teeth.
What is it?" She began to look alarmed. Are you ill?"
Quite possibly."
Good heavens. I had not realized. That no doubt explains your
odd behavior."
No doubt."
Would you care to lie down on the bed for a few minutes?"
I do not think that would be a wise move at this juncture." She
was so soft. He could feel the warmth of her skin through the
sleeves of her prim, practical gown. He realized that he longed to
discover if she made love with the same impassioned spirit she
displayed in an argument. He forced himself to remove his hands
from her shoulders. We had best finish this discussion at some
other time."
Nonsense," she said bracingly. I do not believe in putting
matters off, my lord."
Matthias shut his eyes for the space of two or three seconds and
took a deep breath. When he lifted his lashes he saw that Imogen
was watching him with a fascinated expression. Miss Waterstone,"
he began with grim determination. I am trying to employ reason
here."
You're going to help me, aren't you?" She started to smile.
I beg your pardon?"
You've changed your mind, haven't you? Your sense of honor
has won out." Her eyes glowed. Thank you, my lord. I knew you
would assist me in my plans." She gave him an approving little pat
on the arm. And you must not concern yourself with the other
matter."
What other matter?"
Why, your lack of direct experience with bold feats and daring
adventure. I quite understand. You need not be embarrassed by
the fact that you are not a man of action, sir."
Miss Waterstone"
Not everyone can be an intrepid sort, after all," she continued
blithely. You need have no fear. If anything dangerous occurs in
the course of my scheme, I shall deal with it."
The very thought of you taking charge of a dangerous situation
is enough to freeze the marrow in my bones."
Obviously you suffer from a certain weakness of the nerves.
But we shall contrive to muddle through. Try not to succumb to
the terrors of the imagination, my lord. I know you must be
extremely anxious about what lies ahead, but I assure you, I will
be at your side every step of the way."
Will you, indeed?" He felt dazed.
I shall protect you." Without any warning, Imogen put her arms
around him and gave him what was no doubt meant to be a quick,
reassuring hug.
The tattered leash Matthias was using to hold on to his self
control snapped. Before Imogen could pull away, he wrapped her
close.
Sir?" Her eyes widened with surprise.
The only aspect of this situation that truly alarms me, Miss
Waterstone," he said roughly, is the question of who will protect
me from you."
Before she could reply, he crushed her mouth beneath his own.
Chapter 3
Imogen stilled. For an instant all her senses seemed to collide,
producing a dazzling chaos. She had always prided herself on the
strength of her nerves. She had never suffered from an attack of
the vapors, never felt faint, never succumbed to light-headedness
or a giddy sensation. But at that moment she felt utterly dazed.
Her breath caught in her throat. Her palms were suddenly
damp. Her thoughts, which had been quite lucid only a second
before, were now in a shambles. Everything around her appeared
to have gone suddenly askew. She shivered and then felt a delicious, almost feverish warmth spread through her.
If she had not been positive that she enjoyed excellent health,
she would have thought she was ill.
Matthias groaned and deepened the kiss, crushing her closer to
his hard, unyielding body. She felt his tongue trace her lips and
realized with a shock that he wanted her to open her mouth for
him. Intense curiosity swept over her. Tentatively, she parted her
lips. Matthias's tongue surged between them.
Shocked by the intimate kiss, Imogen went weak at the knees.
The world spun around her. She gripped Matthias's shoulders
very tightly, afraid that she would fall if he were to release her.
But Matthias made no move to set her free. Instead, his arms
tightened around her, pulling her so close that she could feel the
alarming bulge in his snug breeches. She knew that he must surely
be aware of her breasts pressed against his broad chest. He shifted
slightly, bending her backward. One of his booted feet slid
between her legs. She could feel the fierce strength in his thigh.
Sensations flowed through Imogen, wild, turbulent feelings that
were unlike any she had ever known. She was not entirely without
experience, she reminded herself in a desperate bid for sanity. But
there was no denying that not even Philippe D'Artois's practiced
kisses or Alastair Drake's chaste embraces had tumbled her
senses into such shimmering disarray.
Passion. This was true passion at long last. A thrill of fiery
excitement unfurled within Imogen.
With a soft, wordless exclamation of delight that was somewhat
muffled by the pressure of Matthias's demanding mouth, she
tightened her arms around his neck.
Imogen." Matthias raised his head. His austere face was taut.
His eyes were no longer an emotionless, ghostly gray. They
burned. It was as though he looked into an oracle glass in search
of answers to some unknown question. What the devil am I
doing?"
Reality returned with a shattering effect. Imogen gazed at
&n
bsp; Matthias, aware that he regretted the rash impulse that had made
him take her into his arms.
Ruthlessly Imogen squelched the keen sense of loss that welled
up within her. She fought for composure while she desperately
sought appropriate words for a most inappropriate situation.
Calm yourself, my lord." She struggled to adjust her cap. This
was not your fault."
It wasn't?"
No, indeed," she assured him breathlessly. This sort of thing
can happen when the darker passions are aroused. My parents
had the very same problem. Any argument that flared between
them always ended in this fashion."
I see."
You and I were quarreling a moment ago and I expect the
emotions of the moment temporarily overcame your self
mastery."
I knew I could depend upon you for an intelligent explanation,
Miss Waterstone." Matthias's eyes gleamed. Are you ever at a loss
for words?"
Uncertainty tingled deep within her. Surely he was not mocking
her. I expect there are occasions when even the most articulate
person might be unable to find just the right word, my lord."
And other occasions when only action will suffice." He cradled
the back of her head in one powerful hand, held her still, and
slowly bent his head to kiss her again
This time the kiss was deliberate, calculated, and devastating.
Imogen went limp in Matthias's arms. She heard her cap fall to the
carpet with a soft plop. Her hair tumbled free. Matthias buried
one hand in it.
Imogen swayed. The world around her became fluid and began
to dissolve. The only solid thing left in it was Matthias. And he was
very solid, indeed. The strength in him at once overwhelmed and
enthralled her. A sweet hunger swept through her. She locked her
arms around Matthias's neck again and held on with all her might.
You offer one surprise after another," Matthias whispered
against her mouth. Not unlike Zamar."
My lord." She was dazzled by his words. To be compared to
ancient Zamar was beyond anything. No one had ever paid her
such a profound compliment.
Matthias eased her back one step and then another. She came
up against the wardrobe without any warning. Matthias captured
her wrists in his hands and pinned them to the carved mahogany
door behind her head. Holding her there, he freed her mouth to
trace a scorching series of kisses down her throat. At the same
time, he drew his thigh up between her legs. The skirts of her gown
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