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An Excerpt From: ENSNARED BY INNOCENCE
Copyright © LARISSA LYONS, 2008
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
“Lord Blakely, I have a proposition I would like to put
forth to you.”
“By all means, please do.” His curiosity grew by the
second. And so did the reluctant attraction running rampant through him. Which would never do.
When she hesitated, he lifted her gloved hand to his
lips and kissed the air over her fingers before releasing them. Instead of
scaring her away as he’d intended, a blush flared up her chest and over her
face, delighting him, which was patently ridiculous.
Blushes were for maidens. Whores were for him. So why
was it that the tinge of pink flushing her cheeks fascinated him? The
slight color was difficult to see beneath her unfashionably dark skin but
he saw it clearly nevertheless. Unbidden, curiosity rose regarding the
extent of her sun exposure. Where might the golden hue leave off and pale
porcelain begin?
And why should he care?
He definitely needed to curtail their conversation. “You
were saying? A proposition, I believe.”
The pale blonde ringlets surrounding her face swayed as
she took a deep breath. “I know I presume much but I would like you to pose
as my betrothed until—”
He laughed outright at her outrageous request, drawing
the attention of several guests nearby. Sobering, Erasmus stated,
“Completely out of the question. But thank you for asking. I needed some
amusement this evening.”
When he turned to leave her hand shot out, latching onto
his arm with surprising strength. His steps halted and he peered at her
gloved fingers until she removed them. Damn if a bolt of need hadn’t
flashed through him at the contact. Astonishing—he’d just bedded the
amorous and very accommodating Mistress Rose of the Crown & Cock not
twelve hours before.
“Lord Blakely, please. Hear me out.” She rushed on
before he could say yea or nay. “It would be a pretend betrothal, a farce
if you will, lasting only a few weeks beyond the Season. Surely you can
find it in your heart to assist me for such a short time? I will pay you
handsomely for your trouble and release you publicly from our arrangement
after you fulfill its terms.”
“We have no arrangement,” he felt compelled to remind
her. “But for the sake of argument, your reasoning is faulty. For upon
becoming affianced to me, not to mention later breaking said betrothal,
your reputation would be tantamount to ruined.”
“That has no consequence. I only want the appearance of a betrothal for the
remainder of the Season.”
“And why is that?”
“My reasons are my own.”
Stubborn chit. He half wished he couldn’t see her so
clearly in the candlelit ballroom. Damn but something about her drew him.
“If you won’t explain yourself, why should I even consider your ridiculous
proposal?”
That willful chin lifted again. “Because I will pay
you.”
“Not enough, not for what you’re asking.” She had no idea what she was asking, what being
near her the next few weeks might cost him. Or her.
She proceeded to name a monetary figure that sent his
head spinning.
Good God. He’d just been propositioned by a bloody
heiress. “You’re a piece of intriguing baggage, I’ll give you that. Why
me?”
“Your standing as one of the
most sought-after libertines in the ton,”
she stated baldly. Her face flushed even more. “It suits my purposes quite
well. And your title, for another reason. Not every marquis has a character
such as yours.”
“I don’t know whether to be insulted or flattered.” The
inexplicable urge to touch her cheek ran through him. Since when did he
care about cheeks? He fisted his hands and anchored them firmly at his
sides.
“I mean no offense but it is not in me to cavil at the
truth. You and I both know that you have no intention of marrying this year
and I need someone of your…ilk to
best satisfy my plan.”
He made a noise in his throat, one that could indicate
he was considering her asinine idea, which was absurd—because he wasn’t.
“I only ask that you show me the same courtesy and give
me your honest reply posthaste.” She looked over her shoulder, as if
expecting a dragon to swoop in and steal her away.
Come to think on it, he was surprised they’d been left
alone this long. “And what is your next course of action, should I turn
down your oh-so-tempting offer?”
“Sarcasm does not become you, Lord Blakely,” she
admonished him.
“Do not talk down to me,” he told her, instantly
irritated with himself. With her. Why was he still
wasting his breath conversing? Why not simply tell her no and be done with it?
Why did he long to touch so much more than her cheek? To see her hair down,
her dress gone and her legs wrapped around his waist?
Dammit, where was his control?
It seemed to have abandoned him the very moment she abandoned her good sense and approached him.
“Forgive me,” she said contritely. “The stress of
awaiting your reply has put me quite on edge.”
“That’s understandable. Considering you’ve just
propositioned a man who hasn’t the faintest clue who you are.”
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