Beverley Kendall - Alls Fair in Love and Seduction

Also by Beverley Kendall

The Elusive Lords Series

SINFUL SURRENDER

A TASTE OF DESIRE

Chapter One

Who is that standing next to Lady Windmere? Lord Derek Creswell asked while his gaze remained fixed on the dark-haired beauty casting furtive glances at him over a lovely bare shoulder.

Derek had first glimpsed her at the Radcliffe ball the month past. Since then, hed seen her at various other society events.

And he wouldn't mind seeing much more of her.

Lord Alex Cartwright angled his head in the direction of Dereks stare and replied curtly, Miss Elizabeth Smith.

Normally, Derek would have wasted no time in seeking an introduction but something had cautioned against it. Perhaps it was the incongruity of innocence and sensuality packaged in a female form meant to make a man think of sin and nothing else.

By God, hed been tempted, no doubt about that, but since hed stop letting his cock take the lead in all things soft and female, hed had to be content to admire her from afar.

And? Derek prompted, his attention still focused wholly on Miss Smith. It appeared the task of eliciting information from his friend would be an arduous one.

After a pause, Cartwright relented, replying as if reading points on a list. Miss Elizabeth Smith. Shes Missys cousin twice removed. Her father recently came into a barony. This is her first Season.

Lady Windmeres cousin and thereby Rutherford's relationthough somewhat distantby marriage.

Of all the bloody luck.

This made the situation particularly sticky if he chose to pursue her. He had to decide whether she was worth the headache of incurring Rutherford's wrath should things not go to the lady's satisfaction.

She is stunning, Derek remarked offhandedly in a belated and weak attempt to play down his interest.

Light brown eyes, red bow-shaped lips and skin like silk; almost as if she had been fashioned specifically with men in mind.

Derek had wanted her from the first time he'd seen her and tonight that want had become a relentless throb in his loins. He knew what that meant and like the departure of a long treasured friend, he bade a silent farewell to his good judgment.

That she is, Cartwright replied, his voice softening and somewhat bemused.

Perturbed, Derek shot him a quick glance, then turned and followed the direction of his friends narrowed gaze to discover Cartwright wasnt looking at Miss Smith at all. His friends attention centered on one of the Rutherford twins. From that distance, Derek couldn't tell which as they appeared to be identical in every way save temperament. He imagined it was Charlotte, the quieter one, for there had always been an undercurrent of something between them. He hadnt exactly known what but it was obvious now.

Lust. Passion. Affection?

For his friends sake Derek hoped he felt a healthy dose of the latter, she was Rutherfords cousin by blood after all, raised by him since the age of fifteen. There existed a bond between them Rutherford wouldnt have with his wifes cousin. Not that Rutherford would stand to see Miss Smith trifled with.

Regardless, Derek was relieved his friends interest was not in Miss Smith. It wouldnt do for them to be lusting after the same woman.

Derek returned his attention to Miss Smith and as if he'd willed it by the force of his gaze, she angled her head to peep at him for the fifth time since hed arrived a half hour ago. Her eyes widened at his openly admiring regard, for in the past hed been just as circumspect as she in their visual intercourse.

Their eyes met and held, and the awareness that had smoldered like a brush fire between them, threatened to burst into a conflagration of lust. Seconds ticked too slowly, too quickly before she looked away, her face flushed a violent pink. A heaviness settled in his loins.

Arrange an introduction, Derek demanded quietly, giving up all presence of casual interest.

Cartwright slanted a glance in his direction, one eyebrow rising above a lock of black hair resting low on his forehead. He did not immediately respond, instead appeared to be thoughtfully choosing his words. Ive met herMiss Smith. She is not the worldly sort. And more to the point, she is practically Rutherfords relation. If youre looking for a dalliance, I think it best you set your sights elsewhere.

How had Cartwright taken it as far as dalliance when he'd merely asked for an introduction? It wasnt as if he meant to whisk her off to the gardens for a private ravishing. At least not that very night.

Caught!

The sheer weight of Lord Creswells regard initially made it impossible for Elizabeth to look away. His gaze pierced her through to her core, creating an ache that started in her chest and spiraled downward until her inner thighs clenched in an effort to contain it, find relief from it, only to find none.

After several breathless moments trapped under the heat of his penetrating stare, she summoned up what little of her will remained, managing to wrench her gaze away.

An image of him as hed looked six years ago pushed to the forefront of her thoughts. He had been the kind of handsome that warranted second and third looks. But that first impression hed made upon her fifteen-year-old heart paled in comparison to what he did to it now.

Hed grown only more handsome in the ensuing years, his dark hair cut shorter, his shoulders broader, his cheekbones more pronounced and jaw more squared. He had an air of maturity in his face that had been lacking in the twenty-three year-old man who had stood in her parents parlor, venom in his eyes and condemnation lacing his every word. Before her nownot but thirty feet awaywas a man who would stand out in any crowd. In the prime of his youth, he wore his black and white tailored garments with the same ease as he carried himself. Before her stood a man of consequence; a man she could only gaze upon but never even think to have for her own.