Too Dangerous to Desire Read Online Free PDF Page A

haven’t looked very hard.”
    Sophie closed her eyes for a fleeting instant. “I’m delighted that you found your knight in shining armor, Georgie. But not all of us are fated to be so lucky. If there are any reptiles that need slaying, I fear I shall have to sharpen my own sword.”

Chapter Two
    S o, Sophie Lawrance was going to be spending tomorrow evening at Vauxhall Gardens.
    After handing the street urchin a few coins, Cameron left Green Park and strolled thoughtfully along Piccadilly Street before turning left onto Bond Street. It had been a simple matter to track down her hired hackney and learn where she had been dropped last night. Over the years, he had woven an elaborate web of underworld informers throughout London. He used it mainly for his own business activities—he was, to put it bluntly, a thief, albeit a very discerning one who stole only the highest quality jewels and objets d’art from people who could afford to lose them. But on occasion, the network was useful for other purposes.
    Indeed, he had learned a good many other details about Sophie’s stay in Town. Servants were easily encouraged to gossip, especially as she and her sister were great favorites with everyone who worked at their aunt and uncle’s residence.
    A wedding. They were visiting London in order to shop for a wedding. Not Sophie’s—Cameron had experienced an inexplicable twinge of relief on learning that news. Though why that should matter was something he did not care to contemplate.
    He paused to stare into one of the fancy store windows, watching the bustle of busy shoppers in the reflection of the glass. Word was, the three ladies would be stopping at a fashionable milliner located on the next corner. Curious, he loitered a little longer, pretending to adjust the folds of his cravat—which was, as usual, an exotic swath of patterned silk rather than the standard starched white length of linen.
    An elderly matron with a trio of young ladies in tow frowned and gave him a wide berth. He caught the word “dangerous” as she huffed by. Turning he flashed a wink at the young ones, who had slowed to sneak a stare. Blushing furiously, they hurried to catch up with their chaperone.
    Another example of my wicked, wicked ways , thought Cameron sardonically. Did the silly chits think I was going to bare my fangs …His sarcasm trailed off as a carriage pulled to a halt just ahead, and three ladies descended the steps.
    He had no trouble recognizing Sophie’s aunt. Hermione Hillhouse was perhaps a little grayer, a little stouter. However, her kindly smile was unchanged. She was followed by a tall, slender young lady with silky curls of guinea-gold peeking out from beneath the poke of her bonnet.
    “Do have a care, Georgie,” called Hermione. “The cobbles are uneven.”
    That was Georgiana?
    Cameron recalled Sophie’s younger sister as a pleasant, pudgy little child with a streak of mud always marring the tip of her nose. But then, I daresay we all have changed since those long-ago days.
    Though not always for the better.
    Sophie, however, was even more breathtakingly lovely than he remembered. Last night, the dark night and heavy veiling had obscured her face. Now, as she stepped down to the pavement, the afternoon sun painted every nuance of her profile with a softly gilded light.
    She laughed at something her aunt said and Cameron felt his chest constrict.
    Feeling a little light-headed, he picked his way through the crowd, the banal buzz of voices around him fading, fuzzing. The light seemed to blur, and suddenly the only thing in sharp focus was Sophie as she slowly turned and entered the shop.
    The click of the door falling shut seemed to snap him out of the strange netherworld. Looking down, Cameron found to his disgust that he was leaning against the decorative railing of a shop displaying kidskin gloves in a staggering variety of colors.
    Get hold of yourself , he warned in a silent snarl. How utterly embarrassing if