A Rose Between the Thornes Read Free Page B

take up the reigns of the estate. He knew Nat would not leave him to do so alone and for this he was thankful. Jasper may be the heir by law but as far as he was concerned, the role, the money and the worries fell to the two of them. They shared everything, including whenever possible, women.
    And now? The thrill of the chase was once more about to commence.
    “May I escort you to supper?” He bowed low and watched her through hooded eyes. “I feel sure—” he paused and smiled—”you are hungry for several things.”
    “You presume too much.” How he loved that fiery glare, those sparkling eyes, even the tapping foot. “I do not want to be here, with or without you. I wish to leave. I am not hungry.”
    Lady Mardanelly, who hovered nearby, picked up on her last sentence. “Come now, my dear, I’m sure your appetite will be whetted by what we have to offer. Jasper, be you so kind as to escort Lady Symons and ensure she wants for nothing?”
    He could have laughed aloud at the look on Sophia’s face as she also picked up on the unconscious double entendre.
    “It will be my pleasure,” he assured his parent, and offered his arm to Sophia who perforce had to take it. As soon as they were out of earshot of his mama he spoke. “To whet my lady’s appetite. And to add to your pleasure. To make sure you want for nothing, and are satisfied in all matters.” His cock stirred at the thought of the delights he felt were sure to come. Ruthlessly he suppressed it; the enjoyment of her flesh—all their flesh—must wait. First they needed to entice Sophia, intrigue her, and give her no get out.
    “You are taking this jape too far.” Her voice was not as stern as he supposed she meant. Rather it was interested, and yearning. Amused, he waited for her to continue. “I am not interested, not at all.” Interesting. Her back was ramrod straight. Her lush lips were pursed and disapproving. Her uneven breath, and the hard nipples pressed against the soft material of her gown gave lie to her statement.
    “My dear, I am neither a half-wit nor a blockhead,” Jasper drawled in the best manner of a gentleman of his standing. “This is no jape, this is what is to happen. You may seek to deceive yourself as to your interest, but you cannot do so to me. Your body gives you away. If I were to lift your skirts and plunge my fingers into your cunt, they would be coated in your essence.” He wondered how she would respond to his crude words. The pictures that filled his mind sent a streak of heat through his body. Soon, I will do just that.
    She gasped, and her eyes shot fire. If she had a knife, he was in no doubt it would be between his ribs. He could see how she clenched and unclenched her fingers in rapid succession
    “If you were to do any such thing, not only would you be in exile again, you would be dead,” she retorted. She did not deny his assumption however, and her checks showed bright under the rogue. Would those other cheeks color so enticingly when his hand caressed them—and more?
    “You,” she continued, “are a—”
    She had no chance to finish. He pinched her arm in warning, for as they edged closer to the supper room, people were gradually moving nearer.
    “Ah, Nathaniel.” He raised his voice as his double appeared alongside. A look passed between them. “I am persuading Lady Symons she is indeed hungry and we are the very people to help her satisfy her appetite.”
    A sudden pain in his hand reminded him that the lady in question had sharp nails, which she used to good effect. Jasper saw the red crescents show starkly on his hand. That was one act he looked forward to chastising her for at a later date.
    Nat chuckled. “If you cannot tempt the lady, Jas, it seems your powers of persuasion are not as they once were.” With a brief wink at Jasper, he turned to Sophia. “Perhaps you would accompany me instead, my lady?”
    Jasper watched as Sophia looked his twin up and down. They had reached the