Rumours in the Regency Ballroom. Diane Gaston

      Her eyes flashed. “I cannot believe you thought I would welcome this visit.” She snatched a newspaper from a table. “Did you not read this? That reporter connects us.”

      He had indeed read The New Observer and every other newspaper that mentioned the notorious Lady W. “The reporter did not name me. I fully comprehend that you do not wish any contact between us to be known. I would not have come but for the rain. I knew the weather would drive the reporters away from your doorstep.”

      She gave a mirthless laugh. “Do you think it matters to me that the man did not name you? It is my name that suffers! I am linked to a gentleman. There will be no end to what will be written about me now.” She threw the paper back on the table.

      “I merely responded to your need,” he retorted. “I refuse to apologise for it.”

      “My need?” Her voice rose.

      “Yes,” Adrian shot back. “That man was attacking you. I could not walk by and do nothing.”

      “Oh.” Her shoulders slumped. “That need. My need for rescue, you meant.”

      He realised that she’d thought he meant the other needs they’d indulged that day.

      Their gazes connected and it seemed as if those needs flared between them again, like the hiss of red coals about to burst into flame. He wanted to cross the room, to touch her and re-ignite the passion that was burning inside him, as real as the thumping of his heart, the deep drawing of his breath, the pulsing of blood through his veins.

      However, his purpose in calling upon her had not been to indulge in that pleasure again, to enjoy each other as they had done before, although Adrian could see no harm in it. Society rarely censured a widow for such conduct as long as she acted discreetly, and he could be very discreet.

      Of course, she was not just any widow. She was society’s latest scandal.

      “Lydia.” The sound of her name on his tongue felt as soft and smooth as her ivory skin. “I have no wish to see you harmed in any way. I will keep our association secret.”

      She laughed. “Do you think I believe in secrets, Adrian?” She stepped closer. “I have been hurt by secrets. Those kept and those divulged.”

      She was so close Adrian’s nostrils scented lilacs. Her eyes, however, were filled with pain and accusation.

      He wanted to assure her he was a good sort of man, with a good proposition for her if she would only listen to him.

      “My husband kept secrets from me,” she went on, lifting her gaze to his. “What makes you think I can trust anything you say?”

      He had no answer.

      He forced himself to look directly into her lovely face. “Please know, dear lady, that I speak truly when I say I have no wish to hurt you, no wish to ever hurt you.” He gave her a wan smile. “I told you before that I would act as your friend. I came here as such.”

      “A friend.” Her gaze softened.

      She stepped forwards and touched his arm. Even through his layers of clothing, the contact seared him with need, a need he knew he must deny. When he looked in her eyes, though, he saw a yearning to match his own.

      “Lydia,” he whispered.

      Lydia thought she must have gone completely mad. She gazed into his eyes and was content to be caught there, like a leaf caught in a whirlpool that pulled it into its depths.

      She ought to send him away now. She ought to forget what she’d done two days before, wantonly bedding him, a man well known for his conquests of women.

      He had acted nothing like she’d supposed a rake would act. He had never pushed himself on her, never spoke words of seduction. She had pushed herself on him, in fact. She had been the one who’d spoken words of seduction. And she felt herself about to do so again.

      Her hand on his arm trembled against the fabric of his coat, damp from where the rain had soaked through. She had only to move her hand away and let him go.

      Instead, she raised her hand to his face and lightly grazed his cheek.

      God help her, she was weak. And wanton.

      From the moment of seeing him framed in the doorway, her body had craved the return of his touch, the passion of his lovemaking.

      She traced her finger from his temple to the perpetually upturned corner of his mouth. He remained still, giving her the power to choose if she wanted more or not. She almost wished he would seize her now, take her by force. Even though his eyes darkened and his breathing accelerated, he still waited for her to choose.

      What harm would it do? she thought. What harm to have his arms around her again, to have his practised touch drive away the worries that seemed to double and triple with each passing day? She was lonely. What harm to pass time with him? He knew the same people, attended the same entertainments. She missed being a part of it all more than she would have guessed.

      But what she missed most was what a man could give her, what Adrian had given her. If the newspapers only knew what a wanton woman she’d turned out to be, a woman who bedded a man merely because he’d been kind. She shuddered to think what would be written of her if they knew.

      She let her hand fall away.

      Adrian’s gaze turned puzzled. He did not say a word. He did not move. He would leave if she told him to, she knew.

      Or he would stay.

      Her choice.

      She stepped closer to him, her aching ankle reminding her how he had so gently tended it. What had come after his gentle care now consumed her. His kiss. What his touch had aroused in her.

      What harm to feel that delight one more time? What harm?

      Lydia slid her hands up his chest until her arms encircled his neck. The hair at the nape tickled her fingers and his collar felt cool and damp. She rose on tiptoe and tilted her face to him, letting him know she’d made her choice.

      He groaned with a man’s need and bent forwards, placing his lips on hers, tentatively, as if he still would permit her to change her mind.

      She did not want to change her mind. She wanted her body to sing with the pleasure he could create. She wanted to be joined to him, like one. She wanted to not be so terribly alone.

      He drew away slightly, then crushed his lips against hers with a man’s command. The effect was exhilarating.

      His kiss, familiar but new, deepened. Her lips parted and their tongues touched, the sensation intimate and delighting.

      He pressed her to him, and she could feel the evidence of his arousal beneath his clothing. That womanly part of her ached with desire to feel his length inside her again. She wanted him to sweep her away, to make her forget everything but him.

      Her heart pounded wildly.

      She’d once forgotten everything but Wexin. Wexin’s kisses—chaste compared to Adrian’s—had once made her feel secure in a future of happiness, but Wexin, while kissing her, had the stain of blood on his hands, the murder of a friend.

      Lydia pushed hard against Adrian’s chest and backed away. The look he gave her was wild, heated, aroused and confused.

      She put a hand to her forehead. “Forgive me.” She dared to glance into his eyes. “Forgive me. I cannot do this. I must not.”

      He breathed heavily, and it seemed to her he was fighting to keep calm.

      “Lydia.” His voice was so low she seemed to feel it more than hear it. “Why deny this passion between us?”

      She stared at him. How could she explain that she could never again allow a man to have that sort of power over her?

      “I must deny it.” Her voice sounded mournful and weak. She must never again be weak. She lifted her