Masque of Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page B

incredible dark blue eyes.
    “Miss Holt.” He took her reluctant hand in his and brought it to his lips. Her skin was soft, and the scent of fresh flowers clung to her. Dane inhaled deeply. “I am charmed.” He pressed a warm, caressing kiss upon her knuckles, lingering as long as he dared. He felt the quiver that went through her and raised his head, trying to decide if it was anger or pleasure she was feeling.
    “Mr. Westbrooke.” The ice in Jacqui’s voice erased any doubts Dane might have had about her reaction. She tugged her hand, but Dane would not release it.
    “Dance with me.” It was a request, an invitation, a command. Remembering himself, Dane half turned to George, holding fast to Jacqui’s unwilling grasp. “George, may I have permission to dance with your daughter?”
    “Certainly,” George replied.
    “No,” Jacqui blurted out simultaneously, then shot her father a beseeching look. “I apologize, Mr. Westbrooke,” she added hastily, having no idea what excuse she could give, “but I …”
    “Go ahead, dear,” George broke in. He was not anxious to see Dane Westbrooke insulted, and besides, he would be grateful to see his headstrong daughter occupied. It would keep her out of trouble. “Go and enjoy yourself.”
    There was little Jacqui could do but allow Dane to lead her onto the dance floor.
    “So … Jacqueline … at last we meet.” His voice was laced with amusement as he led her into a minuet.
    She lifted her chin. “Did you seek me out to chastise me for my earlier outburst?” she demanded.
    Dane shook his head slowly, utterly taken by her fiery beauty. “To the contrary, I wanted to congratulate you on an argument well stated.”
    For an instant she looked unsure. “Oh … I see.”
    He chuckled. “Have I succeeded in shocking you ?”
    “No. But I will admit you have surprised me. I assumed you would be appalled by my behavior.”
    “Consider it the first of many surprises between us,” he promised. He spun her about and brought her closer to him, keeping her there for a long moment before he eased her away.
    Jacqui tensed at the suggestiveness of the remark, though not for the reasons Dane presumed. She cocked her head to one side and studied her partner from beneath thick, dark lashes, wondering if the pointed comment implied that he had, in fact, witnessed her flight home the other night. She had to find out.
    “Tell me, Mr. Westbrooke,” she baited sweetly, “why else did you seek me out? Was it to apologize for your scandalous behavior in the street tonight?”
    Dane flashed her a wicked grin, his teeth white and gleaming in his tanned face. “Oh no … never that. I would simply like the opportunity to rectify your opinion of me by demonstrating my charming self to you.”
    “Your charming self,” Jacqui repeated, chewing on her lower lip, which threatened to curve into a smile. “Now, why do I not believe that is possible, Mr. Westbrooke?”
    “Dane,” he corrected.
    Jacqui raised her slender brows. “Really, Mr. Westbrooke. We hardly know each other well enough for that.”
    “Something else I intend to rectify.”
    Jacqui shook her head in disbelief, smiling in spite of her best intentions. “You surpass scandalous.”
    “Among other things … yes.” He stroked her hand with his thumb. “But then again, so do you.”
    Jacqui trembled. He didn’t suspect … hadn’t seen her escape that night. Why then was her heart threatening to beat its way right out of her chest?
    She licked her lips, making a concerted effort to bring herself under control He was just a man … an ordinary man like any other. Immediately, her mind negated that fact. Dane Westbrooke could be described as many things, but ordinary? Never. Unlike the other men in the room, Dane’s hair was cut short at the nape and was an unpowdered raven black. His features were hard, carved in granite, which, combined with his imposing height and build and piercing silver eyes, made him even