To Rescue or Ravish? Read Online Free PDF Page A

tap. “A heavy-wet for me, Moll, and…” The hard look vanished from his eyes, and he smiled at her, that sweet, mischievous smile of old. “Mulled wine for the lady.”
    Oh, Matt. A blush suffused her entire body. “You—you remember that, too.”
    * * *
    One of the fellows whistled, and wonder of wonders, Bella didn’t seem the least bit upset. Really, though, why should she be? These fellows didn’t know who she was, so it didn’t matter what they assumed. As long as they remained ignorant, all would be well. His cock twitched happily at the memory of mulled wine drizzled on her breasts, of licking and sucking them clean.
    What the devil had gotten into him to order it for her? He must have gone soft.
    She was right—he couldn’t claim to know her anymore, but nor did she know him, how different he’d become, how unsuited to a girl of gentle birth.
    But responsible behaviour meant nothing to his cock, which wanted to pick up where they’d left off seven years ago. It had its own bizarre logic to back this up. Bella had assumed he would be annoyed by their proximity, which seemed to mean that she wasn’t. That she liked it, wanted it, which was well-nigh impossible, but his arousal wouldn’t accept a conclusion so contrary to its interests. A fellow had to find out for sure, didn’t he?
    Hence going soft and ordering mulled wine.
    Moll plunked a tankard before him and handed Bella a cup of spiced wine, wrapped in a cloth. It wasn’t the quality of wine she was used to…except that night way back when. He’d not been able to afford better, but they’d been young and so drunk on desire…
    Bella smiled at Moll and thanked her. She sipped the wine with blinding pleasure. “Warms my whole insides.”
    Aye, and she was warming Matt up good and proper, too. How could he not lust after her when she sat right next to him, so flushed and pretty? In all these years, why hadn’t some fellow managed to snap her up? He leaned back in his chair and let himself enjoy watching her.
    Somebody started another song—not the sort for Arabella’s ears, but Matt couldn’t do a thing about that. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to. He’d been considering insinuating himself into polite society—not difficult, given his respectable birth, newly acquired wealth and a few old school friends in high places. He’d been brought up a gentleman, so he could fit in easily enough. He didn’t like the prospect—matter of fact, the idea of all that posturing made him queasy—but how else could he find out for sure if anything remained of that girl and boy who had loved one another years before?
    Maybe this was preferable. What better way for her to learn who he’d become? Once the novelty of this place wore off and she returned with relief to her safe, proper world, he would finally succeed in getting her permanently off his mind.
    Not if she kept glowing like this, though. This wasn’t the Bella he’d glimpsed through the years, shopping on Old Bond Street or at the theatre, so proud and aloof. No, this was almost like having the old, irresistible Bella back—sipping her wine, sparkling with interest at the world about her, dangerous to his hands and his cock, and more important, his idiotic, air-dreaming heart.
    Better get down to business, or he would make a fool of himself here and now. “We’d best be going, Bella,” he said.
    She frowned. “I haven’t even finished my wine!”
    “Where are you off to in such an all-fired rush?” Bird said. “Let the lady enjoy herself.”
    “We’re going to see a printer,” Bella said. “To put a notice in the paper.”
    Matt cursed silently. He had to get her out of there, and quickly. He stood. “We have to hurry, or it will be too late.”
    “Better be ready to pay through the nose, old chap.” Bird’s curious eyes went from Matt to Bella and back. “Sam hates having to reset the type.”
    “It will be well worth paying for.” Bella scowled over the rim of her cup