Page 25 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

“Thank you for defending me to the Beaumonts,” she said.

“Although not evil, they can be quite hurtful.”

The man was so diplomatic. They were mean-spirited witches.

“Miss Arabella favors you.”

“I have no romantic inclinations toward her.”

Thank the heavens. Maddie exhaled then blurted, “My father forced me to marry his business partner. My husband was more than sixty years my senior.”

Stephen halted to peer down at her.

“So you see, I could not love him, for I was terrified of my situation.”

“Hell and the devil.” He winced. “I knew not. I am sorry.”

“I did not tell you so that you would pity me.” She wanted his affection, not his sympathy. “I suppose it is so distasteful that people make it the topic of rumor and scandal. I want you to know the truth.”

He placed his palm on her shoulder. His comforting touch wiped away the night’s chill.

“Might we start over and be friends?” she asked even though she wanted so much more than that.

He smiled and nodded. Then he groaned “But your uncle and”—his jaw clenched—“Hugo Adams.”

Maddie’s heart plummeted to her feet.

Laughter erupted from behind them. Maddie tried to peer over her shoulder to see who was headed in their direction, but Stephen pushed her toward the stairs.

“Someone is coming, and we cannot be seen together.” He tugged her into a shadowy alcove beside the stairwell. “Shh.” He held a finger to his lips.

They peeked around the brick wall.

John Gracey, one of the American exporters who had lavished Maddie with attention, had his arm around a young woman in a black dress and mob cap. He guided her to the bench beside the fountain.

The maid giggled.

John pulled her into his arms. He kissed her until she was on her back, her dress in complete disarray.

“We should not watch this,” Stephen whispered.

But Maddie wanted to watch—especially with this arousing man beside her.

“Madalene,” Stephen reprimanded as his palm slid across her eyes.

She pushed his hand away. “Stephen,” she whispered back, “look. It is beautiful.”

His breath blew across her cheek. “Yes. The gardens are beautiful, and the weather is perfect.”

“No. Look at them.” Maddie pointed at the couple.

John reached into the front of the woman’s bodice.

Maddie’s breasts grew heavy, and she whimpered. Her wanton sensations and lascivious utterance were shameful, but she could not find the discipline to care. Especially since Stephen’s breath hitched.

He stepped closer, his torso pressed against her back. His lips brushed her ear. “Tell me, what do you find beautiful?” His raspy voice resonated in her core, then tickled her feminine folds.

Everything about the last few minutes. “A woman desiring a man so much that she is willing to do anything to know his touch,” she whispered.