The Abduction of Julia by Karen Hawkins

“Whatever I tell you to.”
    Briefly, Therese wondered why she hadn’t just married Alec. He was certainly handsome enough and would be disgustingly wealthy. Had he been in possession of the earldom, he would have been perfect. But he was a mere Scottish viscount, whereas Nick possessed the venerated Bridgeton title. There was no comparison.
    Her gaze fell on his pure profile and she wet her lips with the tip of her tongue. She had already savored his charms once. Her thighs dampened at the memory of that one impassioned tryst. He had been brutal, almost vicious, and she had cried out in her passion, something she rarely did. If she could just satiate herself, her interest would wane. It always did.
    Yet she wondered if anything was the same with Nick. No man had intrigued her more. And no man had ever left her so… wanting.
    He caught her gaze and frowned. “It appears the Frant Dragon can indeed breathe fire when occasion demands it .“
    “Julia? She is the most boring woman in the world.”
    “Surely you exaggerate.”
    She shrugged. “Alec has met her many times and never paid her the slightest heed. No one ever does.”
    “Everyone will pay her heed, now that she is a wealthy viscountess.”
    “I doubt it. She’s the drabbest creature, doing reform work and forever blurting out the most shocking things. Unless Alec can work miracles, they will never be able to avoid a scandal.”
    “Don’t underestimate my cousin. He may be impetuous and quick to anger, but he is no fool. He managed to remain my grandfather’s favorite despite my best attempts to separate the two of them.”
    She reclined against the settee and looked at him through her lashes. She knew the thin muslin outlined her form, hinting at the shape of her nipples. “I’m sure those efforts were drastic indeed.”
    “How very perceptive of you,” he said dryly, collecting his hat. “You aren’t quite the fool one would think.”
    Therese covered a flash of anger with a brittle laugh. “And Alec isn’t quite the demon the world thinks him, is he?”
    “I admit I’ve assisted in his fall from grace.”
    She watched him narrowly. It was unlike Nick to be so open. Unless, of course, he had a reason. “What did you do?”
    “Don’t look so excited, my dear. I did nothing ungenteel. Tongues do wag, you know. A word here, a word there. It has all been remarkably easy.”
    “Everything comes easy to you.” She knew her words held a hint of bitterness, but she could not stop them. Eaten with frustration, Therese yearned to give him a taste of his own.
    Nick crossed to the door, where he stopped and regarded her with a dispassionate gaze. “Not as easy as you imagine, my dear.” His mouth curved in a half-smile that sent an uncomfortable flutter to her stomach and lower. “Unfortunately, this last venture proves it. We will have to plan something larger, more grandiose for the new bride and groom if we are to secure the fortune now.”
    “What should we do?”
    He adjusted his cravat with a deft touch. “If your intriguing cousin left without her possessions, you can be sure she will return.”
    “I can’t wait to tell that scheming little—”
    “You will do no such thing. Instead, you will convince her you are her best friend.”
    Therese couldn’t begin to count all the slights and snubs she had heaped on Julia’s head. “She would never believe it.”
    “Convince her you have changed,” Nick said sharply.
    “And then what?”
    “Then, my dear, we figure out how best to exploit her weaknesses.” He donned his hat, nestling the sable brim atop his golden hair. “I want to know her thoughts, desires, and secrets, if she has any. Find out everything about her relationship with my cousin.”
    “What do I get in return?”
    His lids shuttered his expression. “I will wed you the day I receive my grandfather’s fortune and not a moment before.”
    “I want more than a promise.” She crossed to him, laced her arms around his