He moved closer, and she tensed, acutely aware of his proximity as his shoulder brushed hers as he browsed the row of costumes. “Come on, Lucia. Who’s your favorite Shakespearean heroine? Let me guess. Cleopatra? Titania, queen of the Fairies?” He turned his head, assessing her, and his intent gaze made her even hotter. “Not Ophelia. She spends too much time in a river.”
Lucy tried to ignore the fluttering sensation in her belly. The goosebumps on her arms were from the cold, not from the thrill of his closeness.
“What about Hermia from AMidsummer Night’s Dream?” he pressed.
She scowled at him. “‘Though she be but little she is fierce’?” she quoted. “You think that describes me?”
He sent her a cheeky smile. “It’s a compliment! Fierceness is an excellent trait to have. But very well, what about Viola fromTwelfth Night?She, too, survived a shipwreck.”
“She also disguised herself as a boy.”
Wicked amusement flashed in his eyes. “I can’t say I’d object to seeing you in a pair of breeches.”
Now Lucy was sure she was blushing. She’d worn loose-fitting trousers many times while traipsing through the jungle, but the thought of wearing them in front of Arden, with the curve of her hips and bottom immodestly displayed by the tight fabric made her a little lightheaded.
True, she’d ogledhisderriere when he’d ascended the stairs. She had no doubt he’d do precisely the same to her, given the chance. Not because he fancied her, necessarily, but because she was a female, in his proximity, and he wouldn’t be able to help himself. Flirting came as naturally to him as breathing.
“No breeches,” she said sternly, “Stop teasing.”
He gave an exaggerated sigh of disappointment. “Ah, but teasing you is one of my favorite activities.”
Lucy snorted, and started browsing through the clothes.
There was an incredibly eclectic selection. She rejected a voluminous, ruffled dress that looked like it could have been worn by Marie Antoinette, a deep red velvet Medieval-style gown trimmed in gold lace, and a shimmery silver garment that looked to be almost sheer. Was that for a character like Salome or Delilah?
“This will do.” The blue gown she chose was beautifully cut, with a scooped neckline and small puff sleeves. It would not look out of place in the Phantom’s box. She turned, then let out a squeak as she found Arden tugging his shirt up and over his head.
“What are you doing? You can’t undress here!”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a shirtless man before, because I refuse to believe it.”
He used the material to wipe the residual wetness from his skin and despite her every good intention, her eyes followed the movement of his hand.
In the lamp glow he was beautiful, a symphony of smooth skin and muscular curves, and for a moment she lost the ability to think. Broad shoulders were stacked above a tawny expanse of chest, and a series of muscles rippled down his stomach, terminating in an intriguing line of hair that disappeared into the top of his breeches.
Her mouth went dry, but she forced her gaze back up to his face, and discovered a devilish smile playing at the corners of his lips. Heknewhe was gorgeous, damn him. And he knew thatshethought so, too.
Double damn.
She clutched the dress she’d chosen in front of her like a shield. “Stop that right now, William Arden. I forbid you to remove anything else.”
He pushed his lower lip forward in a teasing pout. “Afraid you’ll lose your head and ravish me? As you did in Sylvia Greenwood’s garden?”
Lucy gasped. They’d agreed not to raise that subject.Ever.
“I didn’t ravish you. You ravished me. And besides, you were fully clothed. We both were.”
She’d felt his body, though, through their clothes.The delicious press of his chest against hers, the taut strength of those shoulders. The memory was etched into her brain. She tightened her fingers into the dress.
“I seem to remember you finding me irresistible,” he grinned.
“I didn’t know it wasyou.”
Oh, she was such a liar. She’d overheard him making that assignation with Cressida Bonham. She’d deliberately stood on Cressida’s hem so she’d have to go to the ladies’ room to repair it, then sneaked out to meet Arden herself.
His snort indicated he had his doubts, but he let it drop. “Very well. I’ll leave you to change in peace.”
“Are you not going to choose something to wear?”
