Miller, Raine - The Undoing of a Libertine (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Free Page B

unfit?”
    “No. Nothing so simple as that. My horse waits in the stables and wonders why she’s been not been taken out.”
    She grew quiet then, and Jeremy knew enough not to push. He waited for her to explain.
    “My riding has been restricted by my father. By seeking to deprive me of those things that I value, he hopes to bend me to agreement in a matter I cannot bear to think of, let alone consent to.”
    “Ah, a familial dispute. I’ve learned it is best not to get entangled in such prickly concerns as family squabbling, especially those that involve ultimatums.” But this was precisely his reason for being here, now wasn’t it? His grandfather had given him an ultimatum.
    “You are exceptionally wise, Mr. Greymont, I assure you,” she replied wryly. “In fact, I must beg a favor from you. It is in your best interest for truth.”
    “You intrigue me, Miss Georgina.” He leaned a little closer as he spoke into her ear, swallowing so hard she must have heard the gulping sound he made. “And the favor?”
    “You must drop me off before we lead up to the house. Papa will make a huge fuss about the fact I went out walking, let alone being caught in a rainstorm. Trust me, you don’t want to enmesh yourself, Mr. Greymont.”
    Yes I do. “I might be persuaded to grant your favor if you give me one in return,” he bargained.
    “What do you want?”
    You splayed out naked in the bed underneath me. “I will accept the simple promise of a favor for now. When I think of something, you must grant it forthwith,” he said teasingly.
    “A favor within reason, Mr. Greymont,” she whispered stiffly in front of him.
    “Of course, Miss Georgina. I strive to remain a gentleman in a lady’s presence. You should have no worries on that account.” Jeremy told himself he was truthful about the “striving” part at least, as he savored the idea of the favor he might win from her.
    “This is a good place to stop.” She indicated with her head toward the edge of trees. “I’ll go on ahead, and if you’ll give me a few moments to make my way, I’d be grateful.” She stiffened her back, anxious again, waiting for him to do as she asked.
    Pulling Samson to a gentle stop, he offered, “Let me assist you.” He leapt down and held up his arms to grip her. She hesitated, lowering her golden eyes before leaning into his strong hands. They latched on to her waist firmly, deft in bringing her to standing on the ground. He hated to take his hands away. He wished he could lower them to her hips instead and pull her right up against him so he could feel her close-up. But if he did, she’d sense a whole lot more of him than a young virgin should. And the shock to her maidenly sensibilities probably wouldn’t earn him any marks either, at least not good ones.
    He had a lot to learn about virgins, he knew. Best to start now, he thought wryly, having never imagined a time in his life when such lessons would be necessary.
    Jeremy looked down at her, willing her eyes to lift so he could read her. She kept them downward though, her long lashes curling delicately over cheekbones sprinkled with raindrops. Just lovely.
    She had a scar on her left cheekbone that curved up almost to the corner of her eye. It wasn’t large and it wasn’t horrible, but it could be seen clearly, as if to validate her humanity—the absence of perfection in her skin. Something had hurt her in that place, and she’d bled just like every other person did, and when the skin had healed, something was left behind—a mark to remind that everyone was just flesh and blood and bone.
    His hand lifted, seemingly all on its own with the need to touch where she’d been hurt and to brush the rain on her skin. What would it feel like? Pulling back just in time, shocked at how close he’d come to pawing her, he forced some words out of his mouth. “You’d better get yourself out of the rain. I’d hate to think of you becoming ill.”
    She nodded slowly.
    “Until