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Dare was certain. He could see it in the proprietary way Fitzroy looked at her, as
though he were appreciating a recent purchase.
Dare wanted to break something, to let loose the tension that thrummed through
his body. And he wanted to take Indira as far away from Fitzroy as possible so that he
could mark her, indisputably, as his own. But she wasn t. And even Dare didn t delude
himself that her status as a dependent allowed him such liberties.
With an effort, Dare turned his dark eyes to the dancers whirling through a reel.
Mrs. Finley was here tonight. She had sent him a come-hither look from across the
ballroom, and he was minded to respond. His cock had become more demanding of late
and Deirdre had always been an enthusiastic partner. When she next caught his eye, he
gave her the barest of nods. She smiled her reply, and Dare drained his glass.
* * * * *
Mrs. Finley stripped off her gloves. Can I get you some brandy, Dare? she asked.
I haven t seen you in some weeks.
No, he said, ignoring her not-so-subtle reprimand. I don t have much time this
evening.
Dispensing with the niceties, are we? she observed. I need your help with this
gown.
Dare moved behind her, started to unbutton her. Then he wrapped his fingers
around her shoulders and pulled her, hard, against his erection. She bent her head back,
wiggling her rump against him. He pressed his lips to her throat for a moment, seeking
the scent of her skin. But she smelled wrong somehow. Pleasant enough, but wrong.
She turned, her eyes troubled. Dare&
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Erica Anderson
He turned her around and thrust his tongue into her mouth, nipping and biting at
her lips.
You want it like that, do you? she asked as he pressed his lips to her jaw.
He gave a growl, deep in his throat and pulled her arms behind her back so that her
breasts were thrust upward. He yanked down her bodice and sucked a nipple into his
mouth. She cried out, writhing against him. I like it when you re rough with me,
Dare, she panted.
He lifted his head and pushed her, not very gently, toward the bed.
Get on your knees, he said. I don t want to talk.
She climbed onto the bed, pulling her skirts up to her waist. Dare moved behind
her, ran his hands over the well-formed mounds of her arse and unbuttoned his
breeches. Dare, I m not ready for& He laid one large hand on the base of her spine
and delved between her legs. But his touch was rough, preemptory.
Dare& she said, then jerked as his fingers slid into her cunt. She pushed back
against him, breathing a long sigh of satisfaction. Oh, that s& good. Deirdre wriggled
her hips, a movement Dare found unaccountably irritating. He withdrew his hand. He
wasn t in a playful mood tonight.
Deirdre gave a yelp of protest when he moved to shove his cock into her. He
tightened his hands on her hips.
Stop it, Dare! She jerked away from him and yanked down her skirts. What s
gotten into you?
He glared at her for a moment, then buttoned his breeches and stalked to the
window. He braced his hands on the window frame and stared into the darkness.
After a moment, she got up and followed him, reaching out a tentative hand to
touch his shoulder. What is it? she asked softly.
He reached back, took her hand and squeezed a wordless apology. She stroked
his fingers with her own, waiting.
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Not Quite a Lady
I shouldn t have come, Deirdre, he said at last.
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Erica Anderson
Chapter Six
Indira woke early and dressed as quietly as she could. She had left the window
open, but sometime during the night, someone had closed it. Her room was hot and
stuffy and she needed some air. Her encounter with Marcus had disturbed her, and she
wanted to think. She remembered a bonnet this time, and tied a careless bow.
A sleepy footman straightened as she arrived at the front door. A park, ma am?
Are you meanin Hyde Park?
Indira got the directions from him, but refused when he suggested, his face
reddening, that she might want an attendant.
Then she was down the front steps and off, thankful that it was a sunny day. The
sound of birds drew her into the trees as soon as she entered the park. And when she
closed her eyes and sank to the ground, she could almost convince herself that she was
somewhere else. Some place where the air smelled differently and the rain came hard
and corsets were optional.
* * * * *
No, my lord, she s already gone.
Dare frowned over his coffee. Gone where? She knows no one in town. Check
again.
I beg your pardon, my lord, but she was asking after the park.
Dare looked up and gave an exasperated sigh. Did she take anyone with her? he
asked, already certain of the answer.
Er, no, my lord. Jameson would have&
Dare raised his hand to stop the butler in mid-sentence. Never mind. No doubt
Jameson did his best.
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Not Quite a Lady
Ten minutes later, Dare trotted through the gate to Hyde Park. He should have
known she d take any opportunity to get out of the house.
He scanned the park, trying to imagine where she would go, then dismounted and
handed the reins to the groom. Wait here. She d want cover, somewhere that she
couldn t be seen. Somewhere she could hide.
When he found her, she was lying on her back in the grass, bonnet discarded, hair
unbound and spread like a halo around her head. He moved into her field of vision.
I m afraid to ask what you re doing.
She shielded her eyes with one hand and squinted up at him. I m listening to
birds.
Dare raised a skeptical eyebrow. You left the house without an escort, he said,
making an effort to keep his voice even.
Indira remained silent. She closed her eyes and Dare watched, mesmerized by the
rise and fall of her breasts. He wanted to kneel at her side, right now, and yank down
the bodice of her gown so he could fasten his lips around her nipple until she was
panting with eagerness. Instead, he clenched and unclenched his hand around his
riding crop.
He took a steadying breath. If you had met someone, alone as you were, there may
have been a misunderstanding.
That caught her attention. A misunderstanding?
Yes, he said tightly. Combined with the fact that you aren t wearing any
undergarments.
I m not? she asked, eyes widened innocently.
You know damn well that you re not, said Dare.
Indira raised her brows. What does it matter to you whether I am or not?
Dare stifled the first words that came to mind. Such attire suggests& availability.
Oh, she said, letting her lids drift closed. Is that all?
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Erica Anderson
Is that all ? he said, nostrils flaring. He reached down to drag her to her feet, but
she rolled, pulling him over so that he came down hard on his knees. Damn it, Indira.
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