Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney Page B

hair. The air between them rose to simmering point. “When we were in the barn, I collected a nonmonetary reward,” he said huskily. “But since you’re repaying my money, I must give back what I took.”
    He drew her into his arms and returned her kiss with interest.
    Oh, damnation! Kiri thought helplessly as her mouth opened eagerly under his. The blazing reaction she’d had when they first met wasn’t a fluke. She wanted to sink into him, talk to him, laugh with him, and the attraction was as much mental as physical.
    But he was a man of the world who had surely desired many women. And acted on that, or he wouldn’t be so very skilled at dissolving her wits. Or at finding sensitive places and teasing her tongue and rubbing her back so that she melted into him.
    She forced herself to remember that some of London’s most celebrated beauties were his regular guests, including married women ripe for dalliance. That recognition gave her the willpower to say breathlessly, “Kiss returned in full measure.” She broke away from his embrace. “Once I return the money, our accounts are in balance.”
    He stared at her for a long, tense moment before opening the door to his office. She stepped in and was startled to see a dark-haired man standing over the desk as he examined a portfolio of papers. She had a swift impression of alertness and danger.
    The man looked up, his expression instantly changing to amiable warmth. Good Lord, it was her brother’s school friend, Lord Kirkland! A wealthy Scottish shipping merchant, Kirkland visited London regularly and called on Adam and Mariah when he was in Town. She’d always found Kirkland courteous, amusing, and rather enigmatic. She had not thought of him as dangerous.
    He bowed elegantly. “Lady Kiri. I suppose I shouldn’t ask why you’re here.” He smiled, the tanned skin crinkling around his eyes. “Mackenzie told me the story of your adventure, in case you were wondering.”
    “I was,” she admitted as she offered her hand. “I am here to repay a debt, but I also wished to see the dazzling Damian’s of which I’ve heard.”
    “I hope you’re enjoying your visit?”
    “Oh, yes,” she assured him. “The club lives up to its reputation.”
    “I didn’t think you’d be here tonight, Kirkland,” Mackenzie remarked as he moved a framed satirical sketch, revealing a wall safe with a sophisticated-looking lock.
    “Something came up that I need to discuss with you,” Kirkland explained. “Just a small matter of business.” His words were light, but his eyes were serious.
    “It’s not generally known,” Mackenzie said as he unlocked the safe, “but Kirkland and I are partners in Damian’s.”
    Kirkland shrugged. “Mac does all the work. I helped with the boring financing, and a profitable investment the club has been.”
    Mackenzie grinned. “Money may seem boring, but it was essential.”
    Reminded of money, Kiri unbuttoned her domino so she could reach the pouch containing the guineas. As she handed the money over, she said formally, “Mr. Mackenzie, my thanks for your courage and willingness to cheat at cards.”
    He laughed as he accepted the money, but as his fingertips brushed hers, she felt a tingle like a small electric shock. It would be so much easier if the attraction had only been a result of their shared adventure! But there was more to it than that. She felt—connected to him in some way. Keeping her voice light, she asked, “Aren’t you going to count to see if it’s the full fifty guineas?”
    Mackenzie’s brows arched. “You’d be more likely to overpay than to underpay.” He tossed the pouch thoughtfully. “But given my vast experience of handling money, I’d say this is exactly fifty guineas.”
    He was damnably perceptive. She’d thought of putting more money in the pouch but didn’t know how to price what he’d done for her. “Since my business is done, I shall leave you two gentlemen.” When Mackenzie moved to join