Page 40 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

Then why had she kissed him?

“I fear someone has started rumors about Mr. Adams and me.” She halted to gaze into Stephen’s eyes. “I believe someone mistook him for you.”

But he and Adams looked nothing alike. However, there was such sincerity in her eyes he’d believe her if she told him the sky was green.

Madalene brought a hand to her bosom. “It is beautiful!”

He tore his gaze from the beauty beside him to see what had made her eyes light up. In front of them, the stone arches and twin towers reaching toward the heavens rivaled a miniature Notre Dame.

“Oh, my. I wish I could capture how magnificent it is in a painting.” Madalene sighed. “Although, I am terrible at painting and drawing. Actually, I have not yet found anything that I am good at. Well, there is this one thing I excel at.”

“I am sure there is more than one thing.”

She sighed. “Never mind. It is quite boring.”

Should he cajole it out of her or wait until she was ready to tell him? He opted for the latter. Besides, for a woman who seemed confident in her skin, she was anything but. Perchance if he commiserated, she might feel better about her inadequacies. That is, if they did indeed exist.

“My younger brother Evan is a gifted artist. He can both draw and paint and is quite skilled at sculpture. My older brother, Alistair, is a cello virtuoso. When he sings, women swoon. And my twin sister is a famous writer.” Perhaps notorious was a more apt descriptor of Georgiana’s reputation. “I, on the other hand, am talentless.” He chuckled.

Madalene grasped his hand, her heat singeing him through their gloves. “But you are a war hero.”

“You flatter me.”

They stood staring into each other’s eyes. A warm, tingling sensation overshadowed Stephen’s lust. It seemed their souls were destined to be together. “I have a confession to make.”

“Oh?” She blinked.

“I saw you before we met at Sir Saxton’s.”

“How? I have never been to England.”

“In a rookery in London. You were getting out of a carriage.”

Her brow furrowed then she laughed. “That was my second night here. I was exploring the city and got lost.”

Damn, he wanted to run his finger over those sensual lips. He peered over Madalene’s head. Lady Saxton pretended to look at something to the side, her lips almost forming a smile.

He leaned toward Madalene’s ear and whispered, “I believe your aunt favors me.”

“She does.” Madalene fluttered her lashes. “As do I.”

He stepped away before he did something imbecilic, like kissing her in front of their chaperone. They continued toward the magnificent structure.

“Do you have siblings?” he asked.

“No. It was just my mother, father, and me. My father wanted nothing to do with his brothers. Although, my mother and Aunt Henrietta are close. I do adore my aunt and uncle.”

“Your uncle…?” He winced.

“He is not that disagreeable. He is allowing us to spend time together as long as my aunt is present.” Madalene tapped his forearm. “And luckily, she finds you exceedingly handsome and quite charming.”

“And what about you?”

“She also finds me handsome and charming,” she said.

Stephen rolled his eyes and chuckled.

“I am teasing. I also find you handsome and charming.” She beamed at him.