“Thank you.” She took a sip. As the cool liquid flowed down her throat, she let her eyes close. There was no feeling like a cold drink of water on a beautiful sunny day. After taking a few more sips, she handed the cup back to Anthony.
He took it and threw the rest back in one gulp before filling it in the bucket two more times. The third time, he dumped it over his bare head.
She chuckled as he pushed aside his damp hair. “I’ve never much appreciated bonnets and caps until this very moment.”
He grinned, then doused himself with two more cups of water.
As the water flowed down his neck, it soaked the golden hairs of his chest seen clearly by the open V of his coarse shirt. The small hairs darkened when wet, and the oddest inclination came over her. She suddenly wanted to lick them dry.
Shaking her head, she dismissed the feeling. “I learned something as well.”
He set the bucket to the side and leaned against the post the youth had so recently vacated. “Anything about weapons?”
“No—at least, I don’t believe so. There is gossip that Leighhall has a secret room in his home that remains locked, and not even the staff are allowed in there to clean it.”
“Now thatisinteresting. Is there any suspicion as to what is in there?”
“Of course there is.” She grimaced. “Everything from a room to torture servants to outright murder.”
“And do you think that’s what it’s used for…if it exists, based upon your source?”
“I do not.” The problem was, she had no clue as to what it may house. “The only way to know is to get inside Woburn Manor and investigate.”
He pushed away from the post and walked to where her basket lay on its side, scooping it up. “That had been my intention, but being a servant isn’t going to allow me the access I need.”
“Then the only other way is to get invited to his special house party.” She smirked. “Surely you can disguise yourself as a peer.” Even as the idea took root, her heartbeat increased. The possibilities of what they could discover were endless.
He frowned as if he had no idea what she meant before understanding dawned. “You mean for me to go to this weekend party of debauchery?”
“No, not at all. I mean forusto go to this weekend of debauchery. I shall pose as your mistress. Unless, of course, you already have one and wish to take her.” She didn’t like that idea at all. Imagining Anthony partnering with another woman bothered her greatly.
He dropped the basket. “No!”
She cocked her head, not a little confused. “No, you don’t want to go, or no, you don’t have a mistress?”
“No, I mean…” He picked up the basket and handed it to her. “I mean, yes I plan to attend if I can garner an invitation, and no, you cannot attend with me as my mistress.”
“Why can’t I?”
“First of all, you’re a lady now.”
She scowled at him, her irritation quick to take hold at his consistent need to think of her in terms she couldn’t even begin to aspire to. What lady held a man at knifepoint when he attempted to steal from her?
As if he understood the error in his logic, he quickly continued. “Second, you could not make a convincing mistress. Third, we don’t know how dangerous the man is yet.” He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to respond. “No, hear me. True, he may not be dangerous at all, but that is not a chance I can take with a peer. It is too easy for him to bring up charges if he thinks something is amiss. I will not have you thrown into Newgate.”
Beyond frustrated with him, she straightened, intending to stalk off, when another idea hit. Instead, she set her basket on the ground and pulled her bonnet from her head. With a few jerks, she removed the pins that held up her long, dark hair and let it fall about her in waves. Then she untied her cape and dropped it before tugging at the handkerchief that covered her chest and bosom, letting it fall, revealing the bit of cleavage between her breasts as they were held up by her stays.
His eyes darkened from their sky blue to a deep azure.
She gave him a sultry smile before sauntering up to him and brushing back the hair from his forehead. “Butmon ami, I know much about how a woman can pleasure a man.” She pressed herself against him, finding his chest harder than she expected. Rising on her toes, she whispered in his ear, “Do you prefer me against a wall or on my hands and knees?”
His heart thundered against her own chest before he took two steps back. “Lissa.”
If he’d thought to yell at her, his harsh whisper was anything but. She smiled seductively, not a little surprised by how quickly her own heart had begun to race. “Yes. I am here and I am yours. What would you have of me? Would you like a taste?”She pushed her breasts higher, her nipples threatening to show themselves.
Anthony’s gaze riveted to her chest, his Adam’s apple moving hard as he swallowed twice.
His singular interest had her blood heating. For the first time, she looked at him as a would-be lover and was pleased by the possibilities. With no one to stop her, she sauntered forward until she stood before him once again. “Perhaps I can convince you.” She pulled his head down and pressed her lips to his.
