The Book Of Scandal by Julia London

that many lovers in London?”
    “You’ll never know, for unlike you, I am very discreet.” She shoved hard, but Nathan merely smiled.
    “Do you honestly believe you can keep me from your bed?”
    “Oh,” she said, smiling dangerously, “I know I can.” She shoved him again, hard enough that he took a step backward. She tossed the cue onto the billiards table and glided to the door, where she paused. Her gaze swept the length of him and she smiled saucily. “Good night, Nathan.” She went out before he had an opportunity to speak again.
    Nathan bent over the billiard table a moment, then straightened up and looked down at the hand that had touched her skin, her breast. He stared at it, closing his fingers tightly, opening them, and closing them tightly again.
    With the same hand, he suddenly picked up the cue she’d left and hurled it at the wall, bringing some of the game’s accoutrements crashing down.

Chapter Eight
    H er first night at home was a long and restless one, but Evelyn was determined to put the best face on her predicament. She was not the same meek little flower she’d been when she last lived there. She was stronger. She knew how to care for herself.
    But now, having seen Nathan in the billiard room—his dark hair mussed, his neckcloth undone, and that look in his blue eyes—that look—Evelyn had no place to escape.
    She was, she had to admit, disappointingly ill-prepared for guarding herself against him. How alarming to discover that after all this time, he could still tantalize her so completely!
    How was it possible that after all these years, Nathan’s touch could have such a reverberating effect on her?
    The events of the last twenty-four hours had befuddled her to the point she could not sleep.
    Evelyn was up and dressed in an old gown still hanging in the wardrobe, and had startled the young woman—Maude, Evelyn remembered—who had entered her room with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.
    “Good morning, Maude,” Evelyn said, taking the cup from her before the poor thing dropped it.
    Maude dipped a curtsy.
    Evelyn could hardly fault the maid’s surprise—they all knew her to be a heavy sleeper and one who was seldom up at dawn, if ever. Not to mention she’d appeared from what must seem like nowhere after three years.
    Maude seemed nervous. She cast her gaze to the carpet as she spoke. “His lordship said I am to dress your hair or help you as I can until your ladies’ maid arrives from London.”
    “Did he?” Evelyn asked cheerfully. “Then I suppose you might help me make myself presentable to his lordship and his guests for breakfast.” She would carry on as expected—she’d never allow Nathan to see how he had affected her. She would never allow him to believe he had somehow gained the upper hand.
    “Oh, but his lordship has gone away for the day,” Maude said.
    He’d gone? “Pardon?”
    “Aye. He and Lord Lambourne. Lord Donnelly—” Maude smiled a little. “Lord Donnelly will sleep until luncheon if he’s allowed by the others.”
    “Where has Lindsey gone?” Evelyn demanded, feeling a bit slighted on her first day back in Eastchurch. She would have thought such a momentous occasion would require some…some notice.
    “I wouldn’t rightly know, mu’um,” Maude said as she picked up a hairbrush.
    “That’s Lindsey for you,” Evelyn muttered angrily. “He hasn’t changed at all!”
    Maude looked startled. “But…but he has changed, mu’um,” she said as Evelyn took a seat at the vanity. When Evelyn didn’t respond, Maude relaxed a bit. “Not outwardly,” she amended, “but in the little things. He’s not the same as he was.” She blushed and smiled sheepishly. “Listen to me, prattling on, mu’um. I surely don’t need to tell you.”
    Yes, yes, she did need to tell her—tell her everything! Who was Nathan now? Evelyn smiled at Maude’s reflection. “I’ve not seen my husband in three years, Maude, so please do tell me. I am curious,