Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure: A Summersby Tale by Sophie Barnes Page B

of her buttocks. She groaned faintly in response, arousing him even further.
    Good God .
    He had to stop this now before he took her right there on the balcony for all of Paris to see.
    And that was when the stabbing sense of guilt that he’d thus far managed to contain, suddenly surfaced in full force. He’d given Ryan his word of honor that he would steer clear of his sister unless he intended to court her. Well, he had no intention of doing any such thing. Indeed, now that she’d shown her interest, he was very likely to tire of her rather rapidly he knew.
    He was just about to pull away, when she beat him to it.
    “Well,” she said as she looked him dead in the eye. “That was far better than I would have expected.”
    Michael blinked.
    “However, it’s growing exceedingly late, and I must be off to bed. Alone—before you get any ideas in that presumptuous head of yours.”
    She sent him a coy smile as she slipped from his arms and walked away. “Good night, Ashford,” she called over her shoulder as she sashayed back inside her bedroom and pulled the door closed behind her. He heard the lock click.
    Well, that was a first , Michael thought to himself. He had always been the one to walk away, leaving the girl staring after him . With a sigh of exasperation he leaned against the railing to look down upon the street bellow. The nights were growing warmer though the slow breeze was leaving him quite chilly now that he was standing there alone.
    Damn .
    Alexandra was unlike any other woman he’d ever met and she was beginning to get under his skin. It was a rather disconcerting admission for him to make, but there it was.
    Still, he was only just getting to know her, he reminded himself. Perhaps, he would still discover that she wasn’t nearly as appealing as he presently found her to be. Besides, the whole attraction was very likely based on the fact that there were no other women around to draw his attention.
    Feeling as if he’d finally solved a great mystery, he headed back inside. There was nothing for it. He would simply have to control his urges and keep his distance from her or he’d find himself heading for the altar before they even managed to complete their assignment.

 
    C HAPTER T EN
     
    M ichael stepped down from the carriage that he’d hired to take him to rue de Rivoli. He paused for a moment as he regarded the large palace that lay before him—a vast and magnificent edifice that seemed to dwarf Carlton House in both size and opulence. Straightening his back and taking on an air of arrogance that only those of extreme wealth and importance were capable of managing, Michael strode toward the sentry that guarded the imposing entrance of the French Emperor’s residence.
    He handed his calling card to one of the guards and stated his purpose. It identified him as Monsieur Michel Laurant, having purposefully avoided taking a title that might be known among Bonaparte and his cronies. The man, who appeared only marginally less arrogant than Michael (due in no doubt to the fact that he was not only French but Parisian to boot) stepped inside to convey the message to a higher authority who remained invisible to the public.
    After ten minutes, the guard returned and gave Michael a haughty glance before opening the door just wide enough for Michael to step inside. “Monsieur le Docteur will receive you now.”
    Michael squeezed past the insufferable man, trying terribly hard to hide the beginnings of a wide smile. He had asked to see a Monsieur Philippe Allaire, who Sir Percy had assured him would be William’s cover name. Well, it appeared as if the would-be double agent had turned himself into a doctor—perhaps Bonaparte’s very own private physician.
    Michael stifled a grin as he followed a footman up a long flight of stairs. He must remember not to underestimate his opponent, for it did appear as if Lord Summersby was a very determined man. Then again, should he really have expected anything