Every Time We Kiss by Christie Kelley

feat. She will express her opinion no matter what the consequence.”
    “And yet, it saves one the necessity of attempting to discover what lies in a woman’s mind.”
    Matthew grabbed the handrail as they walked down the cracked marble stairs. Reaching the bottom, he wiped his hands on a handkerchief to remove the dust.
    “You haven’t told me how exactly you were invited to this soiree. Or have you decided to sneak in as you usually do?” Matthew remarked as he locked the door behind him.
    “Quite odd, indeed. Two days ago, the invitation arrived at my doorstep. Perhaps Lady Jennette thought you might want some disreputable company.”
    Matthew frowned. “But how did she arrange such a thing?”
    Somerton laughed as the coach door closed behind them. “Lady Elizabeth, of course.”
    “Oh?”
    “Lady Aston is Lady Elizabeth’s sister.”
    Now everything made sense. Yet, he still wondered why Jennette hadn’t added Lady Elizabeth to the list of eligible ladies. She was the daughter of a duke so it stood to reason she had a large dowry. Even with her flaming red hair and freckles sprinkling her nose, she was an attractive woman.
    Perhaps he should ask Jennette about her.
     
    “Have you heard anything more about Blackburn?” Vanessa stroked her lover’s chest with her long fingernails. Baron Huntley was a handsome devil, but not the brightest. He would make the perfect pawn should she need him.
    “I saw him at Lady Elizabeth’s literary salon.” Huntley skimmed his hand up her bare back.
    “Oh?”
    “Hmm,” he said, nipping her shoulder. “Miss Whitmore was all but climbing on his lap, making a complete spectacle of herself. But I know for fact what a little strumpet that gal is.”
    “Do you now.” Vanessa shrugged her shoulder to get him to remove his wet lips.
    “Never met an easier girl.” He looked up at her with his hazel eyes flashing. “I had her at the Easton’s ball. Right in the butler’s pantry. Definitely wasn’t the first man in that girl either.”
    Perfect, Vanessa thought with a smile. Once little Miss Whitmore married Matthew, he would discover exactly what he’d wedded and come running back to her. While she wouldn’t get marriage, Matthew would keep her in gowns and a nice house. It wasn’t what she wanted but Vanessa had always been a logical woman. Getting him back into her bed would have to do.
    “Quite sure Blackburn saw right through her,” Huntley continued.
    Vanessa stiffened. “Oh? Why would you say that?”
    “Couldn’t help but notice him go into the billiard room and Lady Jennette follow him a few moments later.” Huntley lowered his head toward her breast, but she pushed him off.
    “Lady Jennette Selby?”
    “Yes. The earl’s sister.”
    “I know exactly who she is. What I want to know is why did she enter the billiard room when Blackburn was there?”
    Huntley shrugged and then slobbered a kiss on her neck. “Don’t know. Heard a rumor she’s helping him with something. Starting to cause some talk after what he did to her betrothed and all.”
    Panic flickered through her. Matthew had loved Lady Jennette whether he admitted it or not. He’d told her of his attraction to Jennette but Vanessa knew he’d loved Lady Jennette.
    There was only one thing Lady Jennette could be helping Matthew with—marriage. Vanessa’s mind whirled with the possibilities. Why would Matthew let Jennette help him? Perhaps it was her idea. A way to keep him from revealing the truth about her.
    But Jennette was the type of woman who could make any man fall in love with her. And Vanessa would never let Matthew fall for Jennette’s charms again. Vanessa could accept Matthew marrying, but she knew he would never return to her if he loved his wife. And he would love Jennette.
    There had to be a way to stop them.
    Vanessa pulled Huntley closer until his chest brushed against her taut nipples. He groaned as her hand reached for his erection.
    “Huntley darling,” she