available. Sooner or later, a large country house like Dornton will find itself in need of another gardener or groom or footman. And I’ve funded my food and lodging by engaging the locals in a few rounds of cards every evening. One couldn’t leave the army in India without becoming an expert at every known game of chance.’
She shook her head at him. ‘You are the most complete hand! I only hope you didn’t fleece the poor villagers out of too much blunt.’
‘Just enough to pay my shot,’ Ben assured her with a grin.
She glanced up, studying the slant of sunlight through the trees. ‘It’s getting late. I must go.’
They both stood and he bowed to her. ‘I cannot wish you good luck with your plan, Lady Alyssa, but I do wish it swiftly completed.’
‘Fair enough.’ She offered her hand and, bemused at that conspiratorial touch, he shook it. A startlingly intense sensual connection rocketed from her fingers to his, firing the smoking attraction between them back to flame.
For a moment, they stood that hand-clasp apart, gazes riveting, the desire he recognised in her eyes making it even more difficult for Ben to fight off the urgent need to kiss her.
Before he lost the battle, she dropped her gaze and pulled her hand free. ‘No one has ever volunteered to be my champion,’ she said, her voice gruff. ‘I’m very touched by your offer—even though I can’t accept it. Until tomorrow, Mr Tawny.’
‘Until tomorrow, Lady Alyssa.’
Absently rubbing his fingers, where her touch still seemed to tingle on his skin, he watched her walk away, battling the urge to follow and intervene, despite her express wish. He hated having his hands tied, even though he’d devised a plan that stood a reasonable chance of protecting her.
Concentrating on how best to guarantee her safety might help him fight off the desire that simple handshake had just fired in him. He should also remind himself that a gently bred virgin was off limits, no matter that it seemed she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
Although he disagreed with almost every other particular, he thought she was correct in assuming Denbry would push to complete his plan in the shortest possible time. He certainly hoped so.
Then he could get himself back to his work in London and bury any lingering regret at bidding farewell to the dangerously alluring Lady Alyssa Lambornne.
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