A delicate necklace with brilliant clusters of diamonds sparkled against the black velvet. Matching girandole style earrings perched neatly above the necklace on the cushions of the jewel box.
Meredith gasped, her eyes widening. “Oh no, I couldn’t possibly wear these.”
“You must. They belonged to the late duchess. She was a fine lady, or so Mr. Chelsea says. It would be an insult to not wear them if the duke wishes you to.”
Meredith sighed. “Yes, you’re quite right.” The last thing she wanted was to hurt Darius after he’d treated her so wonderfully. The jewels were the most lovely thing she’d ever seen. She simply didn’t feel worthy of them.
“Shall I put them on, miss?”
“Thank you, Nell.” She seated herself at the vanity table, facing the mirror.
A deep voice intruded from the doorway. “Allow me.”
Meredith turned to see Darius leaning against the doorjamb, partially silhouetted by the lamps in the corridor. It was like staring at a darkly attractive god of the underworld as he waited to pull her into his sinful realm.
How was it that Darius could fill her head with such fanciful ideas?
“You may leave us, Nell,” Darius said. Nell bobbed a curtsy and left.
“Darius,” Meredith said his name both in warning and with longing.
“Meredith, you look almost perfect this evening.”
“Almost? I—” She whirled back to face the mirror, searching for any imperfection, and that was when she saw Darius had come to stand directly behind her. His mouth slid into a teasing grin as he met her gaze in the mirror.
Darius came over and took the necklace from the box. He placed it around her neck and fastened the clasp.
“There…now you are perfection itself.”
She reached up to caress the diamonds that lay against her collarbone. Her eyes met his through the mirror. She drew in a sharp breath as she saw the lust in those bright blue eyes of his. Her bedchamber was far too dark, as night had fallen and the muted lamplight only heightened her awareness of him and the fact that they were alone.
“Thank you for the jewels,” she said. “Nell said they belonged to your mother?”
“Yes. She had a great many pieces which are sitting unworn and unloved in a safe in my study. I believe it is time they are brought out and shared with the world again.” He handed her the earrings and watched as she clasped them onto her ears.
“Meredith,” he said, his gaze dropping to her lips. “We must talk.”
“About?” Her own voice grew faint. She couldn’t help but look at his mouth as well. Lord, she wanted him to kiss her.
“About…that look you just gave me.” His expression turned almost hungry. “It makes me want to toss you on this bed and ravish you senseless.”
Meredith made a soft sound as his words created a splendid flash of erotic visions in her mind.
“You must stop begging me with those beautiful eyes, or I fear I shall kiss you again.”
“Again?” She clung to that word, her heart racing. Surely it had been a dream?
“You don’t remember?” Darius asked in a low, seductive voice. “Because I do, love. The taste of you haunts me still. It has turned me mad with hunger for you.”
He moved a step closer to her until her breasts rubbed against his chest. “Close your eyes,” Darius warned, “or I’ll do what you are begging me to do.”
She tried. She tried to shut her eyes, but Darius St. John had such a power to bewitch her.
“Blast—” he snarled, and lowered his head toward hers, all control seemingly gone.
A sudden crash and a shriek in the distance had them both jerking apart.
Meredith gasped. “What on earth was that?”
