Read Amelia Grey - [Rogues' Dynasty 06] for Free Online Page A

leave you to find out anything you may want to know about me.”
    “I never back away from a challenge.”
    “I like that. I’m glad I issued one.”
    He was clever, and that pleased her. “Tell me, on your trips back to the square, have you seen anything of the lad?”
    “No. What have you heard from the authorities?”
    She shook her head. “I’ve heard only excuses and platitudes about how diligently they are working to recover my brooch. I still can’t believe I thought he was a hungry little boy, when he was a crafty little pickpocket.”
    “He probably was hungry, and we were both fooled by his innocent manner.”
    His words were sincere, and she appreciated them. “I haven’t given up hope I’ll find him and the brooch.”
    “There’s no reason ever to give up hope.”
    She gave him a grateful smile. “I am glad you are out searching for him each day. I would be helping you if I could manage to slip away from my aunts.”
    He smiled and leaned in a fraction toward her. “I take it you aren’t spoken for.”
    Pleasant warmth tingled across her breasts, alerting all her senses. His implication was clear, and it made her knees weak. “No,” she said quickly, and then realized she might have sounded a little too eager, so she added, “Are you?”
    He shook his head. “I was thinking that you must be related to the King to have two such stern chaperones watching your every move.”
    She laughed lightly. “My aunts take their responsibility a little too seriously.”
    He stepped closer to her. “Perhaps they have reason to. I can assure you every eligible gentleman in the ballroom tonight has his sights on you.”
    “I do seem to be an oddity tonight.”
    His eyes softened. “I would not characterize you as an oddity, Sophia.”
    He moved even closer to her, and warning bells sounded in her head. They were standing in a dimly lit corridor. Anyone could happen upon them at any moment and accuse them of planning a rendezvous, but not even the possibility of scandal caused her to step away from him.
    “I think your aunts are acting like guards because they are afraid a handsome young gentleman might try to steal a kiss from you.”
    Her breaths came more quickly. “I believe that is exactly what frightens them.”
    “Does a stolen kiss in a darkened corridor frighten you?”
    Did it?
    She swallowed as her gaze swept down the passageway behind him. He reached up and let the backs of his fingers lightly caress her cheek, drawing her gaze back to his. Her chest felt heavy. Her lips parted slowly. Short, choppy breaths clogged in her throat.
    “Is that fear I see in your eyes?”
    She raised her chin. “No,” she whispered, relaxing. “I have no fear of being kissed, only of getting caught.”
    He chuckled so softly she might have missed it had she not been so attuned to his every breath.
    “That is not what I expected you to say.”
    “It is the truth. I’ve often dreamt of being kissed by a handsome stranger.”
    He gave her an almost imperceptible smile. “You’ve dreamed of it? Then let me make your dream come true.”
    Sophia’s heartbeat quickened. Should she let this man be the first to kiss her? “Yes,” she heard herself whisper.
    He placed his hands under her chin and tilted her head up. She caught the invigoratingly clean scent of shaving soap on his fingertips. Slowly, he bent his head. She parted her lips slightly, and he gently pressed his lips to hers. It was barely a touch, really just a teasing brush of his soft, moist lips against hers, but enough that her insides went warm with yearning for more. A delicate fluttering started in her chest.
    He lifted his head, smiled as he took a step back, and said, “Did the kiss measure up to your dreams?”
    Her breathing was unsteady, but she managed to say, “In all honesty, sir, I must say it far surpassed them.”
    He smiled. “Reality is usually much better than a dream, isn’t it?”
    She swallowed hard. “Heavens, yes. Thank