The Abduction of Julia Read Online Free PDF Page A

glanced toward the closed door. Somewhere down the hall came the firm tread of a heavy man. Alec pulled Julia toward him until her prudently buttoned pelisse fit smoothly against his waistcoat.
    “What are you doing?” she asked in a breathless voice.
    He knew what she wanted: soft words, a public declaration, all the noxious dance and parry that society demanded. It was laughable, really, when one considered how few members of the
ton
actually wed for love. Most were on the lookout for a title or fortune, and the practiced words and grandiose gestures were but a mockery.
    Without warning, Alec sank his hand into Julia’s tousled hair. It gleamed the color of the clover honey his grandfather had so loved, and smelled just as wondrous. Ruthlessly pushing such thoughts aside, he covered her mouth with his.
    He expected her to fight, to push him away and then scream. Instead, she moaned and threw herself against him, almost knocking him off his feet. It took a stunned moment to realize she was not going to call for help. She was kissing him back just as wildly, just as passionately, as he could have wished.
    Astonished, he almost stopped the kiss right then and there. But she arched against him, her hands pulling him closer and yet closer. A delicious tremor raced to his groin and he felt himself swell and harden. Pure, hot lust slammed into him, causing him to ache with need and desire.
    Alec gave himself over to the kiss, running his hands over her back and cupping her intimately against him.
    Heat melded them together as he captured and recaptured her sensual mouth. God, she was incredible. So hot. So sweet. So very— The door thrust open. “Here ye are, m’lord,” said Bramble in a cheery voice. “Martha’ll have the goose tarts and a nice side of—” The landlord made a choking noise.
    Julia’s eyes flew open and she struggled to free herself, but Alec held her fast, his senses returning as a look of shocked dismay settled on her face.
    The landlord’s mouth opened and shut before he stuttered, “P-pardon me, m’lord, I’ll just—” The door thudded closed and Alec released his captive, striving to still his harsh breathing.
    With a muffled cry, Julia wrenched herself away. Gone were all traces of the rum punch. She shook with fury, her eyes flashing green fire. Putting a hand to her trembling mouth, she said accusingly, “You planned that.”
    Alec shrugged, running a hand across his own mouth, wondering at how quickly he’d responded to her. He’d just about devoured her where she stood, inheritance be damned. There was just a hint of the wild Frant blood hidden beneath her prim exterior and it was, frankly, exciting as hell.
    She glowered, her earlier trust gone. “That proved nothing, except that you are a beast.”
    He adjusted his cravat with a deft touch, hating the glimmer of hurt in her eyes, hating these circumstances, hating himself. But he owed this to Grandfather, to keep the fortune from falling into Nick’s vile pocket. Alec had almost ruined everything by allowing his pride to get in the way. He couldn’t let this chance to redeem himself escape.
    He met Julia’s brittle gaze with a self-derisive laugh. “I’ve never claimed to be a gentleman, love. You know my reputation. You knew it when you agreed to stay alone with me in this room.”
    “You are a cad and a reprobate and a bounder,” she said furiously.
    He approached the fire, careful to keep a distance between them. “Whatever I am does not change matters. Think, Julia, of what you stand to gain.”
    Alec understood greed as he understood all the vices. They had been his closest companions for more years than he could count. “Think of how your life will change for the better.”
    “What do you know of my life?” Her voice held a hint of a child’s wail that pierced him as thoroughly as any dagger.
    He ignored it. While he didn’t know her exact circumstances, it took no imagination to guess. “Your life is one of