There was a long moment of silence before she replied, the truth coming on a whisper. “Yes.”

He heard something there, in the single, stunning word. Something like embarrassment. There was no room for that here. “Don’t be ashamed of what you like.” He punctuated the words with a gentle pinch.

“I like that,” she said, the words forced from her.

“As do I,” he said, his lips coming to the high swell of her breast. “As do I,” he repeated just before he let his tongue slide around the straining tip.

She tasted as good as she smelled.

“Anna?”

They both froze, remembering where they were.

He lifted his head. Met her wide eyes.

“Shit.” She whispered, and he did not have time to be surprised by the curse. After all, she’d taken the words right from his lips. “It’s Temple.”

Regret flared. And irritation. He let her down, setting her feet on the ground.

“Don’t come in!” Georgiana cried, Anna disappeared.

“A moment, Temple,” he said at the same time, unable to tear his gaze from the pretty pale globe of her breast.

“Too late,” Temple said, closer than before.

Duncan turned to protect her from view, facing the Duke of Lamont with a calm he did not feel. Later, he would wonder at the squeak that escaped Georgiana’s lips, as though she’d never been found in such a situation before. Perhaps it was Temple who caused her embarrassment, but whatever it was, she was furious. “Get out!”

“There was some concern that you’d been manhandled,” Temple said calmly. “I see it was not without merit.”

“I’m fine,” she said. “As you can see.”

Temple met his gaze. “West,” he said, “You certainly have made yourself comfortable.”

Duncan lifted one shoulder. Let it drop. “It’s my club.”

“Not your woman, though.” Duncan had no doubt that Chase would hear of this before the night was through.

“Not yours, either,” Georgiana retorted.

Temple looked to her, and Duncan moved to block the other man’s view. “Give the lady some privacy.”

The Duke of Lamont’s eyes widened for a moment. “Shall I turn around?”

“That would suit me well, as I wouldn’t like to have to call you out.”

“Afraid you’d lose?” The duke was London’s winningest bare-knuckle boxer.

“Afraid I’d win,” Duncan said. “I’d like to continue to call you a friend when this unfortunate event is through.”

Temple nodded once and turned his back on them. “Put away your – bits – Anna.”

She exhaled in pure exasperation. “You know, you could take your leave if you are embarrassed, Temple.”

“No chance,” the duke said, “I’m offering my protection.”

“She doesn’t need it.” And damn it, if she did need it, Duncan could give it to her.

Not that he wanted to.

Liar.

Temple turned just enough to meet Duncan’s gaze. “No?”

“No,” he said.

“No,” she said at the same time, yanking up her bodice, sending a thread of disappointment through Duncan. “You may turn around.”

“I’m not offering it to you,” the duke said, turning and lifting his chin in Duncan’s direction. “I’m offering it to him.”

West didn’t care for the words. “I am well able to protect myself in this situation.”

“You haven’t the faintest idea what this situation is,” the duke said. Duncan did not like the ominous tone in the words.

“Get out!” Georgiana fairly yelled.

Surprisingly, Temple did as he was bid.

They stood in silence for a long moment, Duncan trying to convince himself that he was grateful for Temple’s interruption. Grateful for the fact that the evening had not gone any further.

The woman was too tempting and altogether too dangerous, and it would be best if he stayed away from her. He turned to bid her farewell. “My lady.”

“Don’t call me that here,” she said.

“I shall call you that wherever I like. It is your due, is it not?”

“That’s not why you use it.”

It wasn’t. But he did not admit it. Instead, he said, “Do we have an agreement?”

It took her a moment to follow, and he resisted the pleasure that came at the knowledge that he unsettled her as much as she did him.

“I shall take it to Chase.” Her beautiful amber eyes met his. “This can never happen again.”

He raised a brow. “There’s one way to ensure it doesn’t.” Her gaze turned questioning. “Get me my information. And I’ll get you married.”

He turned and left the room. And the club.

Vowing to resist the woman.

Chapter 7

… Lady G— once more, dear readers! Beautifully turned out at the opera in robin’s egg blue. And there has never been a more beautiful chick to emerge from such a casing. The aristocracy is no doubt thrilled by the lady’s return and very eager to witness her rise…

… With the three owners’ impressive marriages in the last twelve months, we recommend that women on the hunt limit their search to members of a certain casino. We are coming to believe that there is something remarkable in its water supply…