His Wicked Seduction by Lauren Smith

had, as though the surrender to him was an act of pleasure for her as well. Her need to trust, his need to be trusted. She was a perfect match to him. Fate was a cruel and punishing mistress, Lucien decided.
    “Did you find pleasure too?” The silver half-mask did little to hide the red blush over her face.
    “Yes,” he answered, offering her a smile.
    She took stock of her destroyed petticoats bunched above her waist and raised her eyes to his.
    “What am I supposed to do? I can’t very well leave here with them like this.” The torn under clothes hung loose and visible from beneath her gown.
    Lucien studied her gown and then waved at her legs. “Lift your skirts, quickly, love. I’m going to cut as much of them off of you as I can to free up your skirts.”
    Horatia gripped her gown and hoisted it up as Lucien grabbed the knife, taking care to cut away parts of the ruined petticoats that hung too low. It was a messy fix, but surely she wouldn’t be seen by anyone who would recognize her.
    Once finished, he set the knife down and caught her hand.
    “Care to take a stroll in the gardens? I know it may be cold, but I promise to keep you warm.” Lucien didn’t know why he was offering. It was far too romantic and would send the wrong message. He’d done what he’d meant to do, but in the hopes it would scare her away from him. Instead, she was glowing —damn her!
    Horatia pulled her stockings back on and then her slippers while Lucien dressed. They proceeded out through the terrace door, stepping over patches of snow that had settled in clumps along the cobblestone walkway. Above them, the night sky was clear of clouds and the luminescent stars glittered. It never ceased to amaze Horatia how beautiful the sky was in winter. In the summer, one could see the countless stars, but the glow was fickle and undefined. Winter stars burned with a crystalline sharpness in the thick velvet sky. They reminded her of herself, stalwart in the light of eternal solitude. Horatia was pulled from her inner musings when she realized Lucien’s attention was fixed upon her.
    “Do you like the stars?” he asked, twining a lazy arm about her hips and tucking her into his side. She blushed. The simple gesture sent ripples of pleasure through her. At that moment being with him seemed so unlike her tortured dreams or the harsh reality of their strained relationship. His black mask melded with the night sky so well that only his hazel eyes and his seductive smile shone through the darkness.
    “I adore the stars in winter. They seem brighter somehow. Stronger, yet so very alone.” She traced the constellations above in her mind.
    “Have you ever studied them?” he asked, his gaze flicking from her to the heavens above.
    “Oh yes. Astronomy is one of my guilty pleasures. Aud…that is to say, my little sister often made me feel quite silly for loving them, but she doesn’t understand. Studying the stars is like studying the expanse of forever. I feel that when I look at the sky I am gazing into the mirror of creation and seeing the divine patterns that were formed long before I existed, and will continue to exist long after I am gone. It is humbling.”
    “But beautiful.” Lucien’s tone was so smooth that she shivered. Did he understand what she meant? Too often she’d been told by irritated suitors she tended to converse philosophically. It was perhaps why she’d been relegated to the shelf on the Marriage Mart, but she didn’t care. Such opinions didn’t matter, and those who held them were not worth her interest.
    He grinned rakishly. “Would you be willing to tutor me, oh lovely stargazer?”
    She returned his grin with a teasing smile. “I thought I was your little dove?”
    He tugged her towards him so that her back was pressed against his chest. He nuzzled her neck, his lips dancing against her skin.
    “You’ve quite surprised me tonight. I had not expected a scholarly philosopher. I find I like the depth of your