Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey

become serious, Lord Montieth, then we’ll both be in trouble.”

    Her dark eyes were inscrutable. Good Lord, there was another girl entirely beneath that effervescent surface.
    She stepped past him and moved to the center of the room, and when she turned back to look at him, the gamin smile and teasing sparkle were back in place.
    “This is my second season, and I have met many men just as improper as you,” she assured him.
    “I don’t believe that.”
    “That there are men as improper as you?”
    “That this is your second season. Are you married?”
    “You imply that I should be, because I was brought out last year? Alas, as far as my family is concerned, there is no one good enough for me. A most annoying circumstance, I assure you.”
    Nicholas laughed. “It is too bad I sailed to the West Indies last year to inspect some property I have there. I would have met you sooner if I’d stayed here.”
    “Would you have tried for my hand?”
    “I would have tried for—some part of you.”
    For the first time, Reggie blushed. “That was too bold.”
    “But not as bold as I would like to be.”
    Oh, he truly was dangerous, Reggie thought. Handsome, charming, wicked. Then why wasn’t she frightened of being alone with Nicholas Eden? Common sense told her she should be.
    She watched breathlessly as he came towardher, closing the space between them again. She didn’t move away, and he smiled. A tiny pulse was beating at the base of her throat and he had an overwhelming desire to run his tongue over it, feel the pulse beating there.
    “I wonder, are you as innocent as you claim to be, Regina Ashton?”
    She couldn’t give in to him, no matter how strongly he worked his magic on her. “Knowing who my family is, you really can’t doubt me, Lord Montieth.”
    “You haven’t been scandalized by my bringing you here,” he blurted. “Why is that?” He studied her face closely.
    “Oh, I suppose I saw the humor in it,” she confessed, but then she added, “I was worried for a while, however, when I thought Uncle Tony might find out where you took me and come pounding on your door before you returned to let me go. That would have caused a fine commotion! I don’t see how we could have kept a secret like that for long, and you might have ended up having to marry me. Such a shame, because we really wouldn’t suit.”
    “Wouldn’t we?” he asked, amused.
    “Certainly not!” she said in mock horror. “I would fall madly in love with you, while you would continue to be a disreputable rake and break my heart.”
    “You are undoubtedly right,” he sighed, playing along. “I would make a terrible husband. Nor am I likely to be forced into marriage, by the way.”

    “Not even if you have ruined my reputation?”
    His mouth turned down. “Not even then.”
    She evidently didn’t like his answer, and he was annoyed with himself for being so unnecessarily honest. Anger with himself made his bright amber eyes even brighter, as if an unnatural light glowed behind them. She shivered, wondering what he would be like if he really lost his temper.
    “Are you cold?” he asked, seeing her rub the gooseflesh on her arms. Did he dare wrap his arms around her?
    She reached for her cape and draped it loosely over her slim shoulders. “I think it’s time—”
    “I’ve frightened you,” he said gently. “That wasn’t my intention.”
    “I am afraid I know perfectly well what your intentions are, sir,” Reggie replied.
    She bent down to put her slippers on, and when she straightened, she found herself in his arms. He did it so swiftly that she was being kissed before she could gasp. He tasted of brandy, sweet and intoxicating. Oh, she’d known it would be like this, so heavenly.
    Never had she been kissed with such feeling, or such daring. He actually molded her small frame to his, letting her feel for the first time the state of a man’s arousal. She was shocked and excited, and her breasts tingled where they