Lords of Desire Read Online Free

hand and pulled her other one from his. “You don’t believe I discovered your secret party. Follow me, I’ll soon show you.”
    Tory ascended the staircase with Fuller towering at her side. She turned and went down the long passageway. In the dim light of day it looked even more neglected. At first Tory couldn’t find the place she sought, but by retracing her steps and turning in a different direction, they came upon the minstrels’ gallery.
    “The party was down there. I saw them clearly from here.”
    He seemed intrigued. “You actuallysaw them? I’ve heard music, but I’ve never seen anyone.”
    “Of course Isaw them! Surely you’re not trying to fob them off as ghosts?” she scoffed.
    She looked down at the empty chamber below and was amazed at how different it now seemed. The deserted room looked dingy and dilapidated. Without the glittering guests and the light of myriad candles the chamber appeared desolate.
    “Can you describe the guests’ costumes?”
    “I most certainly can. They wore Georgian dress. The men were in powdered wigs and satin knee breeches. The ladies, and I use the term lightly, wore exquisite jewels and their gowns exposed their…charms…in an explicit and provocative way. Their behavior was beyond risqué, it was downright bawdy.”
    “Fascinating!”
    Tory stared at him for a moment and then her innate honesty came to the fore. “I admit I found it most fascinating.” She drained her wineglass. “I also admit I would have preferred the masquerade ball to the staid dinner invitation.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me in the least, coming from a young woman who disguises herself as a water sprite.”
    Tory’s mouth fell open. “How did you know it was me?”
    “The first time I saw you, I followed you to the priory.”
    “Why?”
    “I was completely enchanted.”
    “How many times have you watched me?”
    “Half a dozen.” He smiled into her eyes. “My enchantment shoots large holes in your theory that I am interested in an alliance because of your respectability. I quite agree that there is nothing prim and proper about you, Tory Carswell.”
    “Then why are you interested in me?”
    “You are beautiful, audacious, uninhibited, and unawakened as yet; therein lies your fatal attraction.”
    “Well, I’ll be damned!”
    His mouth curved. “Not for swimming naked, you won’t.”
    Her eyes sparkled. “Mother wouldn’t agree.”
    “There is something infinitely familiar about you, Victoria, as if we have met before—
    perhaps in another time, another place.”
    “And perhaps you have inherited Mad Jack’s eccentricity!”
    “Touché!” He threw back his head and laughed. “I think we would deal well together.
    We have a mutual love of history, we share a fascination for Bodiam Castle, and we are not above thumbing our noses at society. Will you allow me to court you?”
    “Court me with a view to marriage?”
    “Of course.”
    “Marriage that endows me with all your worldly goods?”
    He smiled knowingly. “You covet Bodiam.”
    She smiled back. “I do indeed, especially when you dangle it before me as bait.”
    He reached out and gently brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “Then your answer is yes?”
    Tory shivered at his touch. She felt breathless and filled with excitement.He thinks me audacious! She swayed toward him, then caught herself before they could indulge in anything as daring and impulsive as a kiss. “I will give you my answer after I have fully explored the castle.”
    His arm swept out in a magnanimous gesture. “Be my guest.”
    Victoria couldn’t believe her good fortune. It seemed the attractive devil who owned Bodiam was half in love with her because he’d watched her cavorting naked in the River Rother from one of his castle’s high towers.
    Her blood sang with anticipation as she walked through the ancient chambers, exploring every nook, arch, and cranny, every artifact left behind by previous generations, no matter its