Jenna Petersen - [Lady Spies] Read Online Free Page A

new habit.
    “This is the first event you have attended since your illness, isn’t it?” Grant asked.
    Emily’s eyes widened and another flash of powerful emotion passed over her face and then was gone. “Yes,” she said softly, a slight break to her voice. “That is—”
    She didn’t finish the sentence, instead something over Grant’s shoulder seemed to catch her attention. Her eyes narrowed. He glanced behind him to find Andrew Horne and one of his cronies still advancing toward them.
    “Damn,” she breathed. “This is going to sound presumptuous and terrible, but I just don’t care. Dance with me. Now.”
    Grant drew back, staring at her in disbelief. Few women were so utterly forward. “I—I beg your pardon?”
    She met his stare with a hard one of her own. “Please. Dance with me.”
    Grant shrugged. And here he thought he would be forced to work around the subject of getting closer to Emily. Instead, she was practically launching herself into his arms.
    And he found that idea was appealing, for more reasons than just those related to his case.
     
    Grant’s hand cupped hers, and Emily couldn’t help but stare. His skin was at least a shade darker and his hand dwarfed hers as he enveloped it in warmth. Again, her mind revolted against the idea that this man, of all men, needed her protection.
    The music rose up from the orchestra off the dance floor behind them and Grant launched into the steps of the waltz. For a man so large, his movements were surprisingly graceful and agile. He even managed to maneuver them out of the way when a slightly drunken earl stumbled into their path.
    “Has Horne been bothering you long?” Grant asked, his fingers tightening ever so slightly on her waist.
    Emily fought the urge to suck in her breath at the familiar touch. What was the feeling that this man holding her inspired? It was one she hadn’t experienced for a long time, but it had returned, sudden and unexpected, the moment he touched her.
    Desire .
    She caught her breath. Where had that come from? She wasn’t sure, but she felt it settling into her heavy limbs, making her belly tingle, despite the fact that such a thing had no place in an investigation.
    She blinked as she tried to regain focus. Ah yes, ridiculous Andrew Horne, her excuse for why they were dancing.
    “Horne?” she managed to squeak out like an idiot.
    “I couldn’t help but notice that his approach prompted you to demand a dance with me.”
    Little laugh lines crinkled around Grant’s dark brown eyes, and she found herself smiling without meaning to do so. And blushing. Which she never did.
    “You are observant,” she admitted. “Mr. Horne took an interest in me after I attended a tea his sister hosted when I first recovered from my illness. Lord knows why. But you are acquainted with him and his kind. He’s a rake. He’ll find someone else to pursue if I ignore him long enough.”
    Grant arched a dark brow. “Would you like me to hurry that realization along?”
    Emily nearly faltered in her steps. Was Grant Ashbury offering to intervene on her behalf? That was certainly a reversal of their roles. Wasn’t she supposed to be the protector, whether he was aware of that fact or not?
    “Thank you, my lord, but interference by another might only encourage him.” She smiled. “However, if you wish to intrude upon any conversation I am forced into conducting with the man, I give you full permission to do so.”
    He smiled, but the expression was tight and humorless. He was truly taking Horne’s interest in her seriously, though she knew for certain that the dandy was no threat. In fact, as she glanced around the room, she saw he had already transferred his interest to another young lady. One who appeared to be more open to his advances.
    “Whatever the lady desires,” Grant said softly.
    Emily returned her gaze to him and found that he was staring down at her. Watching every movement of her face, even as he executed the final few