Lady Wicked Read Free Page B

balustrade. “How pretty,” she breathed as she looked
out over the carefully cultivated rose gardens then up towards the
dark velvet sky glistening with stars.
    “I like it.”
    “Aha!” She clung on to his words. “I’m afraid
your identity is revealed, sir.”
    “Is it?”
    Her next words were cockily assured. “You are
one of the Hamiltons.”
    “I shall neither confirm nor deny.”
    “How infuriating.” She turned away. “I’m sure
we have spoken before, but I’m unsure. Still, I’ll wager you are
the younger of the brothers.”
    “You are quite certain?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    “And what if you were right?”
    “What if I am?” Amelia countered. As she
turned to look up at him, her gold mask lit in the moonlight, James
stepped closer, his hands sliding over her bare upper arms, closing
the space between them. She tipped her chin up towards him,
searching his unguarded eyes with hers. He bent his head slowly,
giving her time to flee, but she didn’t, instead raising herself on
tiptoes as his mouth brushed hers. Then her lips were parting,
allowing his tongue to dart inside and find hers, and he was
crushing her to his body, her hands winding around his brocade-clad
back.
    Kissing her made him feel dizzy, like he was
losing part of himself, and the longer he kissed her, the more he
felt he had been lost and was only now coming home. Breaking apart,
breath laboured, James stared down at her, wondering at this new
connection he felt, wondering if she felt it too.
    It wasn’t until his shoulder was being
grasped in a large hand, pulling him backwards and off balance that
he realised they had been seen. Not that most guests would care.
They would probably just wonder why he hadn’t lifted her onto the
balustrade, pulled up her skirts and had his way with her. A few
years ago, with any willing mortal he would have, but not Amelia.
He wanted her, and not just for a quick screw. The problem was his
assailant knew that too.
    “What the hell are you doing?” shouted
Jeremy, his fists balled, his face hidden behind his mask.
    James readied his fighting stance, knowing a
flying fist would be next, but the soft rip of a sob made him turn
back to Amelia… except she was gone, her soft slippers flying
across the terrace, down the stone steps, her skirts fluttering as
she fled into the dark garden. “Amelia!” James shouted, as she
slipped away into the shadows. “Look what you’ve done.” He shoved
Jeremy with both hands, not even gratified when his brother
stumbled back. “You’ve frightened her!”

Chapter Four
     
    Fleeing into the garden, her heart pounding,
Amelia found herself lost among the flower beds. Fragrance drifted
the air from night flowering flora, creating a heady scent that
added to her confusion. Finally she found herself at the wall that
surrounded the perimeter and she stumbled along it, one hand
grazing the cool brick until she came upon a stone seat set into an
arch in the wall. Climbing roses trailed around it, forming a
living canopy. Tucking her feet under herself, she hugged her
knees, she concealed herself there.
    The kiss had surprised her, but not as much
as the sudden rush she had felt as their tongues entwined. It was
like she had recognised a kindred spirit…except there was no such
person as kindred to her. She was alone, had always been alone, and
would always be alone. That was her curse.
    Sweeping a gloved finger over her lips she
wondered at the strange connection she now felt to this man. She
had been positive he was one of the brothers, most likely James but
she couldn’t be certain? And why did she feel the urge to run back
to him, to search him out and allow him to steal another kiss?
    It was like something mystical and amazing
had happened in that moment. Her blood had been pounding, her
breasts heaving against her silk bodice, as the connection whipped
through them. She had the uncomfortable feeling that she should
recognise whatever it was that just happened