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deep green pools stole the breath from his lungs. Desire, need, hunger . She wanted him as fiercely as he wanted her.
    Drawing in deep breaths, he forced himself to take a step back from her. He turned on his heel and strode toward the door. He placed his hand on the latch, not daring to turn and look back at her.
    “You will remain here until I come for you,” he said. “Leave this room and I swear you will regret it.”
    Then he walked out of the room, closing the door firmly behind him.
     
    *   *   *
     
    Pippa sat on the bed and stared at the back of the bedroom door for a full thirty minutes, berating herself. Not only had she failed to catch him with another woman, but like a fool, she’d allowed him to kiss her. Again. Indeed, she’d practically melted into a puddle at his feet. It was deplorable.
    And unfortunately he didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by her plans to redecorate. She could redouble her efforts and ask Mr. Vaughn to redecorate the rest of the house, but all Arlington would have to say was no way in hell and that would be that.  There wasn’t a decorator this side of the Thames who would go against a duke’s wishes. 
    Pippa sighed and leaned back against the headboard, her thoughts cast back to the moment he’d stepped out of bed, the white sheet clinging to his hips.  Seeing him in such a state…Her knees had suddenly gone weak, and her heart had nearly skipped right out of her chest. 
    It was ridiculous, really. She’d seen plenty of other men in similar states of undress. Well, perhaps plenty was stretching it, but at least one man. Throughout the years, she’d seen Charles’s bare chest on occasion—swimming in the lake at her father’s estate in Yorkshire during the summer months. And never, not once, had it ever sent white-hot flames licking through her veins.
    Then again, Charles was whipcord thin and Arlington was most certainly not. He was tall, muscled, and undeniably powerful. Tight, knotted muscles had lined his chest and stomach, which had flexed sinuously, deliciously, as he moved.
    He was, in a word, glorious .
    And the way he touched her…
    Pippa shook herself. None of it mattered. He was still a callous, unfeeling cur, and she would never again be in a position to see his unclothed body, or feel his lips as they skimmed across her collarbone…
    And indeed, when he strode back into the room half an hour later, he was fully clothed—his perfect body concealed by a gray waistcoat, dark blue tailcoat, and tan breeches. Hessians molded to his calves like a second skin, which only served to accentuate his muscular thighs.
    She rose to her feet instantly.
    When he spoke, his voice was even, controlled, no hint of the man who’d nearly seduced her earlier. “What in God’s name were you thinking?”
    “I wished to thank you for the lovely flowers?” She smiled sweetly, hoping her flighty, feather-brained act was convincing.
    “By storming into my bedchamber—with Mr. Vaughn in tow—as I slept. And planning to redecorate my bedroom in lace, no less.” 
    His tone was rising again, and she found she couldn’t look directly into his eyes. Glancing down, she smoothed her hands down her muslin skirt and bit her bottom lip. “Your butler said you weren’t at home.”
    He shoved a hand through his hair and turned away, frustration bleeding off him. Several seconds ticked by before he turned back to face her. “I wasn’t home to visitors, as you well know.” He tipped his head back, and held the bridge of his nose between two fingers. Finally, after several long seconds, he lowered his head and glared at her. “Mr. Vaughn has been warned. If he dares breathe a word of this to anyone, his life will be crushed. I believe he was sufficiently terrified.”
    Pippa let out a breath. Of course he would just jump right in and mend everything. “Yes, we mustn’t risk your sterling reputation.”
    “It was your reputation I was protecting!” he snapped. “If