Page 36 of Lady Tempts a Rogue
“I know you better than you think.”
“Oh?” Arms crossed, she raised a skeptical eyebrow. “What do you know about me?”
“You are unselfish and conscientious. You are an orphan and have no family. You are kind, gentle, patient, helpful, and generous.”
She rolled her eyes. “You make me sound like a saint, which I assure you, I am not.”
He disregarded her sarcasm and continued to list her qualities. “You are educated, sketch admirably, dislike spirits, and possess common sense, excellent manners, and admirable decorum.”
“Are you positive?” she quipped, feeling much more lighthearted than she had five minutes ago, which no doubt was his intent.
The sly, disarming bounder.
“Oh, indeed,” he said with mock severity.
She snorted.
Chuckling, Devin winked at her unladylike behavior.
“You are fond of licorice and lemon drops, your perfume is light and refreshing like a spring morning, and you also study the stars.”
“You heard that?” So enraptured had Trinity been peering through Mr. Compton’s night telescope that she had not noticed Devin that first night.
“I did.”
This man… Trinity could grow to care for him. Perhaps she had already begun to.
Which was the epitome of imprudence.
He was a rogue. A rake. A scoundrel.
She had seen him in action first hand.
And yet…
That Devin remembered all those insignificant details about her caused an unnameable emotion to bloom behind her breastbone and take root in her heart. A powerful sentiment that brought a new surge of moisture to her eyes but one not induced by grief, fear, or pain.
In point of fact, Trinity was not positive she could list as many attributes about Devin.
His gaze darkened, the empathy and kindness fading from the brown orbs as something much more thrilling replaced the emotions. He cupped Trinity’s chin, his eyes holding hers captive, the spark of desire in those smoldering pools growing into a mesmerizing magnetism she could not look away from—did not want to look away from.
His focus dipped to her parted mouth.
“Trinity.”
He breathed her name with such reverence and awe that her toes curled in her half-boots.
“Sweet, lovely Trinity.”
Her pulse fluttered and quickened into double time.
What was this madness?
She should tell him to go. To stop wooing her with seductive words and scorching glances. But not only could she not, but she also did not want to.
Heavens no.
She must explore whatever this was burgeoning between them.
