Samantha Kane Read Online Free Page A

control. They were on display
    here, after al. He wanted her. He didn’t want to drive her away
    by embarrassing her with his lack of discretion.
    He wished the French waltz was danced in reverse, fast to slow
    rather than slow to fast. He wanted to tease her some more, to
    pul her close to his side and feel the rise and fal of her rapid
    pul her close to his side and feel the rise and fal of her rapid
    breathing. When the dance caled for her to place her hands
    behind her back as he slid his hands around her waist and
    grasped them, he had to fight the urge to yank her against him
    and kiss her.
    Her eyes widened and she looked like a startled doe. Something
    must have shown in his expression. Her manner cooled
    considerably for the remainder of the dance and Oliver inwardly
    cursed. Rather than retreating when the dance came to a close,
    however, he went on the attack.
    “You didn’t run when you saw us,” he said as they began to
    leave the dance floor. “Why?”
    Only a brief hesitation in her step gave away her surprise at his
    question. Without looking at him she said, “I was too shocked. I
    wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t at first realize what was
    happening.”
    He had to admire her forthrightness. She hadn’t tried to pretend
    ignorance. “And when you did?”
    “I didn’t wish to embarrass the lady involved.”
    Now that did surprise Oliver. From Melinda Dorsett’s words
    he’d assumed the animosity between them was mutual.
    Apparently not. Lady Vanessa’s sensitivity to how the situation
    might have affected the other woman was admirable. It also
    might have affected the other woman was admirable. It also
    showed an unexpected depth of understanding concerning the
    consequences that could occur were one to be caught in such a
    compromising position. For many reasons, Oliver thanked God it
    was Lady Vanessa who had discovered them, and not someone
    else. It would have been Nick who paid the price and Oliver
    could not have tolerated that.
    Lady Vanessa began to move in the direction of an attractive
    older woman who had been watching them closely. Oliver
    refused to let her go. Instead he steered her in the opposite
    direction.
    “Mr. Gabriel,” she said firmly. “Our dance is at an end. To walk
    and talk privately with you now could be construed as a
    declaration.”
    “Perhaps it is,” he said cheerfuly. He practicaly dragged her
    over toward Nick. Not that the rest of the room could tel. Her
    composure never faltered, and he was sure onlookers saw
    nothing amiss in their pleasant conversation. Nick watched them
    approach, his expression wary. Nick was oblivious, as usual, to
    the longing glances cast his way by the young ladies idling
    nearby. His dark good looks drew them like bees to nectar. His
    complete disregard for them also attracted them, perverse
    creatures that they were. The more he ignored them, the more
    they wanted him. It was amusing, realy.
    He gauged Lady Vanessa’s reaction. She had looked
    mesmerized by Nick earlier in the dark of the halway. Was it
    him or what he had been doing with Miss Dorsett?
    As they drew up in front of Nick, Lady Vanessa grew agitated.
    Although, again, it was hard to tel unless you were watching her
    closely. Her cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink and she
    refused to look at Nick. Interesting.
    “May I present Mr. Nicholas Wilkes?” Oliver said. “Nick, this is
    Lady Vanessa Carlton-Smythe.”
    Lady Vanessa reluctantly held out her hand and Nick shook it,
    bending over in a slight bow. “How do you do, Lady Vanessa?”
    Nick murmured. His face was set but his eyes were stormy.
    Nick didn’t understand. He thought her reluctance was just that,
    and not the result of an unwanted attraction. Oliver wanted to
    laugh in delight. Oh, seducing Lady Vanessa was going to be so
    much fun.
    “And now we are three,” Oliver said with satisfaction. “Surely no
    one can criticize us now if we promenade around the room
    together? Hmm?”
    Nick cast