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

canary in his glass. Melissa felt her stomach clench as his manner changed. Gone
    was the gentle questioner of a few moments ago and in his place was an insincere cad.
Anger at his inattention and her own failure to see his manipulation made her blood boil.
     
     
    “My , how insincere of you,” Without stopping to think, her words sizzled between them, angry at his flippancy and superior attitude. “And is this how you speak to all the women?”
     
     
    “And is this how you address your suitors?” He retaliated, startled by her boldness. “Not the way to find yourself a fine match.” He quaffed the rest of his drink in a single gulp and smiled at her, a charming smile that further stoked her anger.
     
    “Ah yes, the fine match,” her words hissed between clenched teeth. “the ultimate goal of my life because of the misfortune of being born a member of the fair sex.” She moved closer, her voice dropping lower as she leant forward. “So I should be grateful for the insincere flattery of a philanderer and happy with being passed about like a prize for the highest bidder?” A sweet, sickening smile flowed across her features. “Such an honour don’t you think?” She pulled back, her voice dripping with sarcasm and repressed anger. “If you will excuse me, I shall find other company and leave you and your insincerity to amuse someone else.” She stood and started to walk away. With the speed of a striking snake, Lestrade’s fingers found her wrist.
     
     
    “ Wait,” The smile had gone from his face now and in its place was a strange mixture of apology and interest. “I’m sorry for my inattention. It was rude and beyond the pale.” He got to his feet and stared at her full in the face. “Give me a chance to make up for it.”
     
     
    She looked down at his fingers locked about her wrist and then up at him. When she spoke, her voice was coolly polite and devoid of the anger that had fuelled her earlier words.  “Release my arm sir.” With a reluctant nod, he slowly retracted his hand and she pulled away. “My brother appears to have been right about you sir, it would be foolish of me to associate with you further. Good eve, Mister Lestrade.”
    With a flounce of her head, she moved away from the table and into the gaming rooms. Behind her Justin stared after her as though confused and across from her, Emily Saint-Clair watched her leave with a bemused smile. She moved through the throng in a cloud of anger. Trying to forget Justin’s behaviour, she joined a game of Quadrille and in her flustered state, proceeded to lose in a spectacular fashion.
     
     
    “I’m sorry, ” A low, contrite voice at her elbow drew her away from the game and she stared up into green flecked hazel eyes. “I was terribly rude,” Justin murmured, oblivious to the stares and chuckles from the dames around the table. “Forgive me,”
     
     
    Melissa stared up at him, her own anger reducing as she heard the utter truth in his voice.
     
    “I forgive you for your attitude,” She said finally, collecting her tokens and playing the next hand. “But I know little but ill of you sir and forgive me but you have not shown yourself to be courteous.”
     
     
     
    “All I can offer is my apology and this,” He tilted his fingers somehow and a small flower appeared between his fingers. Melissa looked at the bloom, smiling despite herself as she took it from his fingers and held it to her nose, sniffing the delicate scent with pleasure.
     
    “It’s lovely,” She conceded finally, “but it’ll take more than a conjuring trick to adequately apologise for your behaviour.” His fumbling attempts at an apology were a start, but she was not ready to forget her impressions of him.
     
     
    “I was unforgivably rude,” He said, crouching down to her level. “And I apologise for any hurt I may have caused you.” His voice was soft and entreating and she felt herself smile despite her anger. “I have no excuse for my