Love and Let Spy (Lord and Lady Spy) Read Online Free Page A

he filled out his dark green coat quite nicely. His hips were slim, his breeches snug, and his legs muscled.
    She glanced back up and looked into his face. He was smiling, looking somewhat amused. She imagined her perusal of him was what caused the smile. She had completely forgotten herself, and now she was about to do so again. He had the most cocky, arrogant smile she had ever witnessed on the most sensual lips she had ever seen on a man. He had obviously not shaved, as he had a dark shadow of stubble on his strong jaw and sculpted cheeks. She knew many women who would have killed for his cheekbones. His eyes were impossibly dark, the eyes of a man one might expect to encounter in a Gypsy camp. His eyebrows were two dark slashes above thick eyelashes, and his hair, straight and windblown, fell carelessly over his forehead. The style was too long, brushing his shoulders, and not at all fashionable, but she could not help thinking it suited him perfectly. It made his already dark, sensual features look even more exotic.
    “Mr. Griffyn!” her aunt all but screeched.
    Jane shook her head. This could not be Mr. Griffyn. For if it was Mr. Griffyn, she had just completely embarrassed herself and her aunt.
    But more importantly, if this was Mr. Griffyn, she was in trouble.
    Three
     
    “Lady Melbourne,” Dominic said through his clenched jaw. The poor woman was shaking with agitation. He turned his gaze to the girl. “You must be Miss Bonde.”
    “I must apologize for my earlier statement. I meant no offense.”
    “No offense taken. I have heard of you as well.”
    She shook her head. “But—”
    “And I must say, the accounts have been exaggerated.”
    The lovely flush on her face darkened, and her clear blue eyes turned from expressive to stone. He’d wounded her, as was his intent, but he did not feel any triumph. He wished the accounts had been exaggerated, but if anything, his brother had been modest. The girl standing before him was absolutely breathtaking. She was classically beautiful, the English ideal with her blond hair, her blue eyes, and her porcelain skin.
    He knew the type. He couldn’t count the times he’d seen derision in a pair of blue eyes. The beauties of the ton had shown him time and again that he was not worthy of them. This girl was no different.
    Except this girl had something else, something more. There was a voluptuousness, a sensuality to this girl that tugged at him. He couldn’t look away from her. He couldn’t walk away from her. He wanted to rub his thumb over her full bottom lip, wanted to touch her skin to see if it was as soft as it looked, wanted to slide his palm over the full curve of her breast and test its weight.
    He wanted her, and she had made it abundantly clear she did not want him. He could hardly blame her, but that did not mean he would forgive the slight.
    “I suppose that is that then,” she said, turning. “If you’ll excuse me…”
    “No!” Lady Melbourne looked panicked. “Mr. Griffyn, wait just one moment.” Her niece was already moving away, but the older woman moved swiftly to catch her. “Jane, do not walk away, or you will have your uncle to answer to.”
    The girl stopped at that threat, and Dominic realized she was as trapped as he was. Her aunt and uncle had thrust him upon her, just as she’d been foisted upon him by his mother. But that did not mean he had to forgive her for the snub she’d given him. Why should he not make her suffer?
    “You must at least dance with him,” Lady Melbourne hissed.
    “Yes, Miss Bonde, you owe me a dance at the very least.”
    She whipped her attention back to him, her mouth slightly agape. “You expect me—”
    “Excellent notion, Mr. Griffyn,” Lady Melbourne said. “You have my consent to dance. Go ahead. I will return in one moment.” She glared at her niece. “I am going to fetch Lord Melbourne.” And she hurried back into the ballroom.
    “That sounded like a threat,” Dominic drawled. He was