The Sweetest Revenge by Dawn Halliday Page A

Isabelle watched in the mirror as the girl bobbed a curtsy and disappeared.
    Isabelle closed her eyes. The scent wafted around her, pervading her senses, and she remembered. She remembered lying in bed and gazing into his eyes. She remembered the last time they’d slept together, how he’d held her against him and whispered “I love you” into her ear until she came.
    She turned and glanced at the door, making sure the maid had shut it securely.
    Safely alone, she dipped a cloth in her basin and scrubbed away the perfume.
     
    ***
     
    Leo had lain awake for hours, contemplating his predicament. Or rather, he was unsure of the length of time he had been awake. It felt like hours, but he lost track of time in this place. It was only his second day here, of that he was still sure. Certain the days would soon start to meld together, he’d scratched at a little place on the back of the chaise until he’d made two tally marks, promising himself to add one for each day he remained.
    The looming question, still, was why had they captured him? And what did they intend to do with him?
    A large hand curled over his shoulder. “The ladies are ready to see you, monsieur.”
    “What time is it?” he asked groggily, sitting up.
    “Near dark.” Hercules rounded the chaise, captured both Leo’s hands in one of his own massive ones, pulled them together behind his back, and looped the rope around his wrists. Then he tied the strip of linen over Leo’s eyes. Leo groaned, but he didn’t have it in him to struggle.
    He stood and blindly faced the door.
    The ladies entered in a flurry of rustling gowns and sweet-smelling perfume, with a hint of something else beneath. Food, Leo realized. Finally. He’d gone hungry since the bit of bread at breakfast.
    “We’ve brought you your dinner,” Mistress Jane said, her voice cheerful, a contrast to the wickedly erotic anger from last night.
    He sketched a bow. “Good evening, ladies. Thank you for dinner. I am afraid, however, it will be difficult for me to eat without use of my hands.”
    Mistress Jane clapped her hands. “I am so happy to see the improvement in your disposition, Leo.”
    “I have had a tranquil day,” he said smoothly. Too tranquil, in truth. This much tranquility would soon drive him mad. “In fact, I wonder if you might be so kind as to provide me with a book to read during the quietest hours. That is, of course,” he added, “unless you intend to release me tonight or in the morning.”
    “Oh, I doubt greatly that you’ll be leaving us so soon,” Mistress Jane said.
    “I will be happy to loan you a book,” Lady M said in her gravelly voice.
    “Thank you.” Leo realized that the shy mouse hadn’t spoken yet. “But where is the lovely Miss Juliette this evening?”
    “I am here, my lord.” Once again, her whisper came from near the foot of the chaise.
    He turned to her and bowed again, presenting her with a roguish smile, but then his gut clenched in warning. What was he doing? He had dreamed of her for the first time in years, awakened stiff with need, and now, hours later, he blatantly flirted with one of the villainous females who had kidnapped him.
    After what had happened last night, he must be losing his mind. His smile faltered, and he turned away.
    It was all Mistress Jane’s fault. She had teased him too much, aroused him, and now all he could think about was sinking his body into soft, welcoming female flesh.
    Mistress Jane took his arm and tugged him down on the chaise beside her, virtually sitting on his lap. Her thigh pressed against his, and his cock stirred, the damned impetuous beast.
    “Since you do not have the use of your hands, poor dear, I shall feed you,” she said.
    “That is deuced charitable of you, Mistress Jane.”
    He felt, rather than saw, her smile. Good. He’d charmed her. It was what he did best, after all. As long as he didn’t allow her to gain the upper hand as he had last night, he would be safe.
    “We cannot