The Rogue Prince by Margo Maguire

brother stalked away from her. Left alone, she turned abruptly and slipped out of the ballroom toward what had to be the servants’ area.
    He still wanted her with a passion that had not diminished in the hours since he’d last touched her. But he cursed the fates that had connected her so intimately with the objects of his contempt, and tried to reconcile his desire with what he knew he must do.
    Nate returned to Tom’s side after dancing with Waverly’s daughter. “It’s unbelievable.” He gave a nod toward Maggie’s departing figure. “She is the link between her husband and Shefford. Sister and wife.”
    â€œAye.”
    â€œYou can destroy their families in one fell swoop. Blackmore might be dead, but you can ruin his line.”
    Thomas swallowed.
    â€œShe is quite…striking, is she not?” Nate asked. “In an unconventional sort of way. She’s not like the other women here.”
    â€œNo,” Tom said. “Not at all.”
    Nate smirked. “You can shred her reputation while we destroy the Shefford and Blackmore finances. You can witness Shefford’s helplessness as his family crumbles before his eyes.”
    It was all true, and Tom knew he needed to adjust his point of view. Now that he knew who Maggie was, he had to view her as a mere means to an end, and nothing more.
    Nate frowned. “What is it?”
    â€œNaught,” he replied. As he drew Shefford into his web, he could eliminate Maggie’s respectable reputation with a very public exposure of their affair. And with Tom’s sham investment schemes and the race, the Sheffords and Blackmores would lose their fortunes as well as their fine, upright standing in society.
    Tom reminded himself that this was all he’d lived for, ever since his discovery of Duncan’s treasure, which made everything possible. He could not let any twinge of conscience dictate his actions, not after his years of anticipation and planning.
    â€œThere is Lord Ealey, one of Shefford’s friends,” said Nate. “I’ll just go and make myself known to him.”
    As Nate made his way toward Ealey, Tom exited the room, following in Maggie’s wake. He went through the same door which exited into a dim corridor, and looked into each room until he reachedthe last, the only place she might be.
    She was an intricate part of it all, as Shefford’s sister and Julian’s wife. The crux of an unholy triangle. Tom could not ignore the exceptional opportunity she presented. Resolved to do what he must, he stepped quietly into the room.
    She whirled in surprise at his entrance. “Thomas!”
    â€œYou left the ball,” he said.
    â€œYes, I…” She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, and Tom’s breath caught. He wanted to taste those lips, wanted to feel them on his skin.
    He slowed his breathing and attempted to regain some control.
    â€œI needed some air.”
    Tom approached her. “Aye. It’s quite a crowd back there.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t have abandoned your admirers.”
    Thomas touched the side of her face with his fingertips and her eyes drifted closed. “Are you not an admirer, Maggie?” He felt her shudder and knew her pretty nipples were already peaked and yearning for his attentions. He bent to kiss her and her eyes flew open.
    â€œSomeone might come in,” she whispered, distraught.
    â€œNot here,” he said quietly, pulling her into his arms. “What is it? Have you changed your mind?”
    â€œOh lord,” she whispered as he touched his lips to her neck. “No, I…But you cannot possibly want…”
    â€œWhat, Maggie? Want you?” he whispered. She had no idea of her appeal, of the effect her sweet innocence had on him.
    â€œThere are so many young ladies who would suit you far better.”
    â€œThey don’t.” He feathered kisses down her jaw, touching the scar on her