Lost in Pleasure Read Free Page A

connection sparked between them, so visceral as to be
almost physical, as if they were both anchored by the same rope. ‘Absolutely
extraordinary,’ Richard said, pressing a kiss to her hand. Laughter bubbled up
from deep inside him. ‘Welcome, Miss McGill,’ he said with a flourishing bow,
‘to the nineteenth century.’

Chapter Two
    ‘Wow.’
    Richard raised an eyebrow. ‘Wow?’
    ‘I mean, how terribly exciting,’ Errin said, trying and failing
dismally to drop an answering curtsy. It was trickier than it looked. ‘I’m in
actual Regency London. It’s awesome. I have to see it. Can we go out? Can we go
for a walk or—have you got a carriage?’
    She really was extremely attractive, and quite beguiling in her
enthusiasm. Richard removed her fingers, which were clutching at his sleeve and
in danger of spoiling the nap of his superfine coat. He twined them safely in
his own, noticing as he did so that she had coloured her nails, a glossy,
enamel-like scarlet. He’d never seen that before. He didn’t know why, but he
liked the effect. He could imagine those painted nails...
    ‘I have several carriages and a stableful of horses at your
command,’ he said, distractedly, for he had now noticed that the colour on her
nails matched her lips. Was that, too, artificial? It did not look it.
    ‘Several carriages and a stableful of horses,’ Errin repeated
in a terrible attempt to mimic him. ‘Your accent is so fabulous. Say something
else.’
    Her odd request successfully distracted him from speculating
what those red lips might taste like. She didn’t look at all apologetic for
having mocked him, and he was surprised to find he didn’t at all mind. ‘I have
never before had my accent described as fabulous. May I return the compliment
and ask where you acquired yours?’
    ‘Well, I was born in Maine, but I’ve lived in New York for the
last seven years.’
    ‘Ah. You’re an American. That explains a lot. Tell me, Miss
McGill, are the travails of the frontier, then, so very bad that you are forced
to dress in men’s clothing? I’m afraid it shows off rather more of your really
rather delightful figure than is considered decent here. I’ll send out for a
selection.’
    ‘A selection of what?’
    ‘A selection of more appropriate clothes.’
    ‘Send out! You must be joking. One,’ Errin said, holding up a
finger, ‘I’m twenty-eight years old and I’ve been picking my own clothes for
quite a few years now. Two, I don’t even know what size I am here. And much more
importantly, three. Where’s the fun in having stuff delivered to your house? I
hate shopping online.’
    ‘Online?’
    ‘It’s too complicated to explain, trust me.’
    ‘As you wish,’ Richard said, his voice tight. ‘As a man of
science, I am naturally curious. We will encompass a trip to a modiste while we
are out and you can tell me more about the world you inhabit. I find it
fascinating.’ What was he thinking? He abhorred shopping.
    ‘That would be great, but—I insist on paying for my clothes
myself?’
    ‘Do you indeed. Do you have any money, or has coin of the realm
been abolished in the twenty-first century?’
    ‘Oh.’ Errin’s face fell. ‘I’ve only got plastic. Cards,’ she
elaborated in response to his blank look. ‘It’s—oh, it doesn’t matter. I guess
the shopping trip is off.’
    ‘I am famously wealthy, you know. A few dresses will hardly
break the bank.’
    ‘No. Thank you, but I couldn’t possibly.’
    Any other woman would have leapt at the offer. That she had
not, made him contrarily determined to persuade her. ‘I’d like to,’ Richard
said, shamelessly utilising his most endearing smile. ‘It would give me
pleasure.’ He was surprised to find that he meant it. Seeing his world through
her eyes would be not just interesting but—amusing! If this is what came of
wishing for a little unpredictability in life, he should do it more often. He
couldn’t remember the last time anything had