Pride and Fire Read Online Free

brows drawn together above her eyes.
    Paul straightened. “Michelle, I…”
    Michelle turned and fled, bumping into Chester as she rounded the corner. Paul heard her murmured apology, her voice breathy and weak.
    Chester stepped onto the terrace. “Leed, what the devil happened between you and the fair Michelle?”
    “Never mind,” Paul said. “The chit doesn’t signify.”
    Chester swallowed whatever he was going to say. Wise man. Paul read the puzzlement on Chester’s face, though. He could guess its cause. When Michelle was in his thoughts he acted strangely, cool and withdrawn. And at this moment he felt downright belligerent. He’d felt the fool at Kanewood last year and it seemed matters hadn’t changed.
    “Leed,” Chester began. “What is it between the two of you?”
    After a long moment Paul turned to him. “Damned if I know.”
    Squaring his shoulders, he turned and strode back into the ballroom. He had to find Michelle and apologize.
    Elizabeth was the first to see him upon his entrance, and she ran to him. He stood still, his eyes searching the room for the red of Michelle’s hair or the green of her dress.
    “We’re not leaving yet, are we?” Elizabeth asked.
    “Hmm?” He looked down at her. “No. Yes.”
    “But we only just got here,” she wailed.
    “Hush, Elizabeth,” he said without anger. “Please find Catherine and tell her I’ve called for the carriage.”
    With a pout, Elizabeth flounced off to do as he asked. Paul searched the room one last time. Where the devil was she? Damn. His apology would have to wait.
    A short while later, after thanking their host and hostess, he escorted two very disappointed girls home to their father’s townhouse and took himself to his own.
     
    * * * *
     
    Michelle found a secluded spot in the drawing room of the Winslow home. She didn’t know how she made it through the ballroom—it was a noisy, colorful blur. She closed the door and leaned against the panel, her breath coming fast. When Lord Leed had kissed her she’d been shocked. One moment he’d worn that cold expression she’d come to despise and in the next his eyes had flashed blue fire. He’d overwhelmed her senses pressing so close, desire evident in his gaze. He smelled so good, like soap and heat. And his mouth was so soft, so warm… She tingled all over just thinking about his lips on hers.
    There was no way she’d venture back out into the ballroom. She’d wait here until she was certain he and his sisters were gone. Only then would she take her own leave. She crossed to a settee covered in gray brocade and sat, resigned to passing a long, lonely evening.
    When she thought enough time had passed, she opened the door of the drawing room and peeked out. She sought out the Winslows and thanked them for the wonderful evening. Seeing as she’d spent much of it in their drawing room, she felt a bit guilty. Surely she hadn’t been missed. Not by her suitors and not by Lord Leed.
    The carriage was brought around. She climbed inside and rested her head on the cushioned back of the seat. She wouldn’t think about Lord Leed’s kiss. About his big body pressed so close to hers. His heat. His taste. She willed her mind blank of such provocative thoughts.
    “Impossible.”

Chapter 3
    When Michelle saw the lovely Talbot sisters enter the ballroom the next night she could scarcely breathe. Relief swamped her when she saw that their brother didn’t accompany them. Lord Chester and the handsome Lord Roberts escorted the girls this evening. The eldest, Catherine, sought her out after supper and told Michelle she so wished to appear as worldly as she. Michelle took her comments in good humor, wishing she had a drop of the girl’s carefree nature. She couldn’t help but think about Lord Leed’s admonitions to Catherine at the Winslow ball. And that naturally made her recall what happened after he’d discovered her there on the balcony. Oh, that kiss…
    She welcomed the diversion when