Perilous Risk Read Online Free Page A

chest. But she began walking back to Jon and Stephen followed.
    Stephen sat where Kean had been. After making the proper introductions, she resumed her place at Jon’s feet. A servant refreshed their drinks.
    Jon attempted to engage Stephen in talk of the Dragoons, horses, dogs, chess and finally even cards, something Jon had no real interest in. Yet Stephen continued to answer in polite, non-committal answers.
    “So, Mr Drake, in my absence, you made advances to my mistress?” Jon said.
    His bluntness made Rebecca cringe. Hesitantly, she glanced up through her lashes and saw Stephen set his drink down.
    She expected him to throw her an accusatory glare.
    He kept looking straight at Jon. “I did,” he said in a calm tone. “Do you desire satisfaction for that, my lord?”
    Jon chuckled. “No, I don’t blame you for trying. Mrs Howland is a lovely woman.”
    “She’s a beautiful woman,” Stephen said, sounding as though he were a schoolmaster correcting a laggard student.
    Jon flashed her an amused look.
    Rebecca caught her breath and heat flamed over her face.
    Jon chuckled and turned back to Stephen. “Yes, she is indeed a beautiful woman. On that point, we are agreed.”
    Her heart rate increased with excitement and apprehension so much that she didn’t hear Jon’s smoothly spoken invitation to the younger man, though she’d seen his lips moving and could imagine an approximation of his words. Jon could make the most outrageous suggestion or invitation sound perfectly reasonable. She didn’t know how to do that. However, he could and he had created the most interesting and adventurous experiences for both of them.
    But none of those experiences had invigorated her as much as the promise of tonight. She took several deep breaths and the drumming of blood in her ears lessened.
    Stephen stood and he remained silent. Staring at her.
    “Ruel, a word for a moment.”
    At the sound of Kean’s voice, Rebecca looked up and saw him approaching with two other gentlemen. They looked serious, it must be about horses or gambling. Jon touched her on the shoulder, softly, indicating that he intended to rise. She stood and watched him step a pace away with Kean and the other gentlemen.
    She turned back to Stephen.
    He raked her from head to foot with his gaze. Then he looked her directly in the eye. “No.”
    Maybe she hadn’t heard him correctly. “No?” The hurt in her voice surprised her.
    “I don’t want to share.” His tone was firm.
    “I see,” she replied in a small voice.
    “We could still go upstairs. Just you and me. Alone.”
    Her heart surged with longing. Yes, oh God, yes, that was how she wanted him. Only the two of them. Alone.
    Heaven help her! That was what the guilt had been about. She really did desire to be unfaithful to Jon. With this man. Alone. She wanted it with all her being. Heaviness entered the centre of her chest and she shook her head slowly. “Ruel would never allow that. He must be there too.”
    “He wants to…” He paused as the barest flicker of a smile twitched his lips. “Join us?”
    Rebecca held her hand up and waved it rapidly. “Oh, no, no…not like that.”
    “He just wants to watch?”
    “He does, yes.”
    Stephen raised his brows. “He likes to watch you with other men?”
    “It is not so uncommon.”
    He continued to stare at her with a somewhat wry expression.
    “It is also about my protection,” she said.
    “You won’t need protection from me.” His look warmed.
    The beauty of that face…a little moan welled up in her throat and she clamped her mouth tightly.
    He slowly caressed her with those gorgeous eyes. “I would never harm you.”
    “He won’t allow it.” She was reminding herself more than him.
    “I would never share you, Rebecca.”
    The sound of her given name and the ardency in his voice sent a burst of desire twisting through her lower belly. Desperate craving. A nervous little laugh escaped her. “Couldn’t you break your rule about