Legendary Lover Read Online Free PDF Page B

whatever rumors surfaced. When his scanning gaze stopped on Lord Alvers , he swore under his breath at the sight of so many of his friends at the table. But highly motivated, he moved forward, determined to secure what he'd come for.
    Standing behind Lord Alvers a moment later, he leaned close to his ear and quietly explained his needs.
    The young earl swung around in his chair, a smile already forming on his mouth. "In a hurry, are you?"
    Jack wasn't smiling. "Do you or don't you?"
    "I might," Alvers replied, smirking.
    "If you'll excuse George for a minute," Jack politely said, ungently lifting the young man out of his chair and leading him away with a viselike grip on his arm. Finding a quiet corner, the marquis said, "I am in a hurry, so kindly hand them over and remain silent about this if you value your sister's reputation."
    Alvers bristled. "Just a minute, damnit . What about my sister?"
    "I'm not discussing it, and if you don't, no one need know. Hand them over."
    "You'd better not have fucked my sister," the young man muttered, but he was already pulling two condoms out of his coat pocket.
    Jack hadn't, but then George didn't know that, and he didn't have the nerve to ask his sister. The fear of scandal should keep him silent. "Thank you very much. My lips are sealed," Jack said with a smile. "Give my regards to Sally." And with his prize in hand, he flew from the card room, brushed off a dozen overtures to converse as he strode through the ballroom, and with his heart pumping at double speed, passed down the hallway to the library.
    His two brisk raps weren't immediately answered and he shifted restlessly, concerned she might have changed her mind and gone.
    "Who is it?" Venus called out a lengthy while later.
    His frown disappeared. "The delivery boy," he cheerfully said.
    She was smiling when she opened the door. "You're very speedy."
    "I had good reason," he softly replied, taking in the lush beauty of her nude form as he eased through the half-opened door. Turning to lock it, he held out the two small packets on the palm of his hand. "That's all there is, I'm afraid. 1 didn't want to make a scene."
    "Are we missed?"
    "No one seemed to notice."
    "How very nice."
    "With three hundred or more here tonight, it's easy enough to become lost in the crowd."
    She thought of saying, "I don't normally do things like this," but decided it would sound disingenuous, considering she was standing nude in Peggy Hexton's library in the midst of her ball.
    And he thought of saying they would surely be missed soon, but decided it would be counterproductive, considering his plans.
    "Your cravat is awry." Moving a step nearer, she reached up and set it to rights. "There. 1 should have noticed before you left."
    He laughed and swung her up in his arms. "When I need a dutiful wife, I'll let you know."
    "If I ever need a husband, I'll be sure not to call you." Her voice was playful, her green eyes filled with laughter. "I can see any help from a woman is misconstrued."

"Years of running makes one wary." His grin was very close, then luscious and heated as he kissed her.
    And when his mouth lifted several moments later, she breathed, "Do let's try one of those packets . . ."
    He carried her to the sofa near the fire and set her down on the warm leather. Placing the two paper packets on the sofa arm, he said, "I'm glad you didn't leave."
    "Temptation overcame scruple." She lifted her brows. "Although I expect you hear that often."
    He'd already stripped to his shirt and pants. "No more than you, I warrant." She was temptation incarnate lying waiting for him, gilded by the firelight, voluptuously female, a sense of anticipation in her gaze.
    "No one will bother us, will they?"
    The provocative question, the expectation in her tone flared through his senses. "No one will dare." He stripped the pearl studs on his shirt free with a jerk of his wrist.
    "Because of you?" She'd seen how everyone stepped out of his way in their passage from the