The Black Lotus (Night Flower) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to his conversation, meanings that she knew were not for a lady or at the least were meant for someone more versed in the arts of seduction. Ordinarily such a conversation would leave her tongue tied and stammering, yet he put her at such ease that she felt confident in replying.
     
     
    “Perhaps the unknown is best left a mystery.” She answered finally, her fingers sliding over the smooth glass in her hands as she stared at him.
     
    “Perhaps, ” He conceded, “but exploring a mystery is a wonderful venture.” He lifted the glass to his lips and delicately took a sip. Melissa followed the motion, drawn to his mouth and its sensual twist with an interest that could not be considered academic.
     
     
    “What if the unknown wishes to remain unexplored?” It was a bold question and one she should not even be thinking of saying, yet his m anner seemed to draw it from her. His rakish smile encouraged indiscretion and for once in her ordered existence she revelled in the opportunity to be free with her thoughts.
     
     
    “ Does the unknown have a choice? What if the explorer decides to find out all he can?” His voice was honey soft and seductive.
     
     
    She met his eyes boldly. “Then perhaps the unknown will poison him unexpectedly.” Shock flickered through his gaze like summer lightning at her daring and for a second, their conversation stuttered to a halt. Melissa did not drop her gaze as a modest lady should and they both stared at each other. Melissa’s frank gaze meeting his startled one as the room gossiped and danced around them.
     
     
    Justin laughed; a low chuckle that broke the unnatural silence and relaxed the tension surrounding them. “This explorer always treads carefully,” He conceded finally as the chuckles subsided. “And chooses the safe path,” He sipped the canary and sat back, regarding the girl before him with more interest than before. “What has your brother imparted about me?” His eyes laughed as he looked down at her. “All bad I daresay,”
     
     
    “Yes,” Melissa blurted out without thinking, “he says you’re a seducer of innocents, a gamester and a cad.”
     
    “Then you’re quite safe,” He replied smoothly, taking another sip of canary. “For I doubt an innocent would talk so frankly about my foibles in public.”
     
     
    Melissa felt her face flare scarlet and she drew her hand to her lips, mortified at her faux pas. “I.. I’m sorry,”
     
     
    Justi n smiled, warmth touching the corners of his eyes as he reassured her. “Don’t worry, I won’t report you to the room,” He moved closer and whispered. “Your indiscretion is safe with me.”
     
     
    “Oh if only I could believe that,” Melissa replied and once again, she wondered why she was speaking so freely.
     
    “Your brother has really taken me to task,” He chuckled, “Should I be wary of being invited to a duel?”
     
     
    “He hasn’t said so much, but your reputation.” Melissa babbled out, wondering if she would ever talk her way out of this mess.
     
     
    “Ahh yes, my reputation,” Justin glanced over his shoulder and whispered conspiratorially. “I have to admit that my reputation is exaggerated. I am much maligned.”
     
     
    “I’m sure,” Melissa noted with no small amount of sarcasm, “but as my grandmother noted, where’s there’s smoke there’s fire.”
     
     
    “Not strictly true,” Justin said, adjusting the enamel brooch at his neck as he spoke. “Damp logs don’t burn, they smoke.”
     
     
    “Semantics,” Melissa fired back, enjoying the repartee that was building between them.
     
    “Perhaps,” Justin removed his fingers from the brooch and Melissa found her eyes following the movement of his hand as it drew a handkerchief from the cuff of his jacket. “How are you finding court so far?”
     
     
    “Overwhelming, ” She breathed, troubled by the shift in conversation. “It’s not what I expected.”
     
     
    “ Are you not finding it