Deeper in Sin Read Free Page B

remembered how Angelique was draped over him. He must be her favorite. Which meant Sophie definitely could not have him. And she could not get thrown out. Not now. “I wasn’t following him. I just walked this way. And I guess so did he.”
    â€œDo not be smart with me,” the woman snapped. “I saw you watching him. You want him.” Angelique’s dark eyes peered at her. The woman’s gaze roamed over her. “Are you acquainted with the duke?”
    â€œOh no.”
    â€œBut you want him.”
    â€œOh, I—” She thought quickly. “I only came because I must support the children. I must find a protector, but I wouldn’t dream of trying for a duke. And I could see he knows you. And he wouldn’t be interested in me, if he already knows you.” She feared she was laying it on a bit too thick, but what else could she do?
    â€œWhat is your name?”
    â€œSophie, ma’am.”
    Angelique’s brow lifted again. Then a slow smile touched her lips. “Well, Sophie, I have just the gentleman for you. He is a marquis—which is only one step below a duke. Fabulously wealthy.”
    Next thing Sophie knew, she had been hauled to the side of the ballroom and introduced to a short, pot-bellied man with gray hair. A marquis.
    She tried to smile politely as Angelique almost shoved her at the man and walked away. Angelique was offering her a rich man, but she could not become this man’s mistress.
    An excuse hovered on her lips—
    The marquis grasped her forearm and spun her so her backside faced him. He stared at her bottom. And smacked his lips. “What a marvel is Angelique. A discreet payment, and she exceeds herself. You are perfect, my fair Callipygian. They speak of the Venus Callipyga, but your buttocks are far more shapely, generous, and beautiful.”
    His hand grabbed and squeezed as if to test his point.
    Good heavens.
    â€œPlease, my lord, you’re hurting me.”
    â€œNonsense!” he barked. “You’ve got a lovely fat arse. It’s made to be squeezed.”
    â€œI’m afraid it is not.” Sophie tried to shove his hand away, to no avail. He might be gray-haired, but he possessed a solid, bulky build, and he had strength. He kneaded her bottom so painfully, she whimpered.
    â€œIf this is meant to entice me, it does not—you are hurting me, sirrah.” The courtesan book may have spoken about satisfying a peer’s unusual tastes, but she could not do this.
    â€œNonsense. You’re all tougher bits of horseflesh than you pretend to be. Nothing wrong with a bit of rough play, my dear. I pay well for it.”
    â€œWhatever rough play you have in mind, I have no intention of taking part.”
    â€œI’ll make it well worth your while to play my games. Shall we start with giving those lush globes of yours a good spanking?”
    Her skirt came up—yanked by his hand. While she recoiled in shock, he slapped her bottom—hard—with his open palm.
    â€œOw!” she cried. She stomped. On his foot. He wore polished boots and she wore slippers, but he jerked back in shock. His face went red with fury—
    His gloved hand closed in a fist, and she tried to run, knowing he meant to hit her. But his reflexes were too quick. He grasped hold of her skirt and pulled her back, slamming her hard against the wall.
    She lost her breath and fought for it. Tears burned. “Don’t hit me. I don’t want to be spanked or hurt. Please!” she cried desperately.
    His fleshy lips curved in a smug leer. “A little resistance makes it all the more delightful—”
    He broke off as he was pulled back abruptly. Sophie was yanked away from the wall and found she was suddenly planted behind a large male body. Stunned, she drank in broad shoulders, a jacket of dark blue, and hair of burnished gold.
    It was the Duke of Caradon.
    â€œBack off, Halwell,” he said. “The