Читать книгу Dare to Love - Alleigh Burrows - Страница 5

Adair Landis braced himself on the bed as he gulped in a lungful of air. The scent of perfume and passion spurred him on, and with a few satisfying thrusts, he collapsed onto the quivering body of an obliging, young widow.

That had been a pleasant treat.

He lay there motionless for a minute or two until his heart rate settled, and then he rose from the bed. It was time to go.

He fumbled across the darkened room to find his shirt thrown over the nearby chair, and drew it over his head. Through the cloth, he heard his partner’s muffled sigh. “Oh, Adair, you were wonderful. I never dreamed it could be like that.”

Of course she hadn’t. But she’d been hoping. Dropping hints for several weeks, as a matter of fact. It wasn’t until today that he’d decided to accommodate her.

“I’m glad you were pleased.”

She hummed her agreement. Then, in a tentative tone asked, “Can you untie me now?”

Dare sat on the chair, thrust his feet into his breeches and yanked them in place. Once he was covered, he answered, “Certainly, darling.”

With a satisfied stretch, he strode to the large, four poster bed, leaned over and untied the black silk ribbons from her wrists.“Thank you for indulging me in my little fantasy. I hope you found it to be as scintillating as I did,” he said, offering a vague kiss in the direction of her forehead. Then he crossed to a brocade chair, grabbed his boots, and tugged them on.

The woman’s voice quavered as she sat up, rubbing her wrists. “Oh, Adair, are you leaving so soon?”

He nodded, turning his attention toward his cravat. With a few efficient folds, he’d tied it into a complicated knot with a skill most valets would envy.

“But when will you come back? Will I see you again upon your return?”

He spared her a brief glance as he pulled on his coat. “No, Victoria, I shan’t be back. But thank you for the delightful diversion.”

“But, Adair? I thought—I thought—” she sputtered.

“You thought wrong.” With that, he pulled open the door and strode out. At the sound of her indignant shrieks, Dare smiled. Victoria was his sister’s best friend. A well-bred, gently reared woman from a good family. His sister would be furious not only that he’d bedded her, but jilted her as well. Sometimes, life could be surprisingly sweet.

Content, he headed out onto the street, climbed into his carriage, and settled into the soft velvet seat. Reaching into his waistcoat, he withdrew a jeweled snuffbox and took a pinch.

That dalliance should hold him for a few days—at least until he arrived at the Horsham’s summer estate. No doubt there would be a few women there to entertain him. William’s sisters were no great catch, but they were sure to have an attractive friend or two he could trifle with.

The only downside was he had to make the tiresome journey with William’s sister, Nivea. Why he had agreed to convey Nivea to her family’s house in Durham was a mystery. One minute, he was congratulating his best friend on the engagement of his younger sister, and the next, he was trapped into escorting the elder sister to the wedding. While riding in a carriage with a young lady for a few days did not normally fill him with dread, this trip could prove the exception. As round as she was plain, it was no wonder Nivea was still on the shelf at her age.

While most men would not even consider allowing Dare to ride unescorted with their unmarried sister, William had no cause to worry. After all, Dare did have standards.