The Spy Who Loved Her: Once Upon an Accident, Book 3 by Melissa Schroeder Page B

a dress you should not be wearing, have men fairly drooling on you, and you have the right to pass judgment on the soprano?”
    “They were not drooling over me because of my dress or my looks. Men in that realm do not find women like me all that attractive. That is something I learned years ago, so you will not make a fool out of me pretending that is why they were watching me.”
    He could not think of a thing to say. At first he was convinced that she was joking with him, but he had heard the pain in her voice. Did Anna actually think that men did not find her desirable?
    He studied her bent head as she studied her hands. He knew that her association with Dewhurst had done some damage. Her behavior after the incident that exposed him as a killer, and a man who was using Anna to get to her cousin. But how could this woman who left hundreds of hearts strewn over the ballrooms of London actually believe she had nothing to offer a man but her name and money?
    “Anna?”
    “Oh, let it go, Daniel. I do not wish to further embarrass myself.” He heard it there in her voice, the shame.
    “Truly, you cannot think the only reason men are interested in you is your fortune?”
    She refused to look at him. It was as the day before. He could not stand being shrugged away as an afterthought, as if he did not matter. He slipped his finger beneath her chin and raised her face until he could see her eyes. What he saw broke his heart.
    Tears shimmered in the depths of her blue gaze. The pain and sadness twisted his gut. She tried to pull away but he easily held her still.
    “You have to know there is not a man in that crowd who would not be lucky to have you as his wife. Those men might have other motives for any proposal, but I can assure they are all readily attracted to you.”
    She closed her eyes, causing tears to stream down her cheeks. This was not the girl he knew, the one who was always the life of the party. She had never wanted for attention from the time she was born until the time she was introduced to society. Being a wealthy earl’s sister helped, but there was vivacity to her. She lightened every room, drew every eye, and she thought she wasn’t the type of woman who attracted men.
    It was then he realized that every smile she offered, even her laughter, did not have the same light quality as a few years ago. Sorrow tinged the edges.
    “Anna.”
    She shook her head. “Please, Daniel, let it go.” The request came out in a ragged plea. She did not know what that tone in her voice did to him. It shredded what little control he had left.
    Keeping her chin firmly in his grasp, he leaned forward and brushed his mouth over hers. She gasped, her eyes opening in surprise. In the next instant, they narrowed.
    “If you have any respect for me, please, don’t take pity on me. It is one thing I could not stand right now.”
    “My dear woman, pity is the furthest thing from my mind.”
    With that, he swooped back down and lost himself in the kiss.

Chapter Nine
    For a moment, every thought in Anna’s mind dissolved except for one. Daniel was kissing her. His mouth firmly moved over hers, his breath feathered over her skin. In the next instant she felt his tongue glide over her lips. The intimacy of the contact caused her to gasp again. He took full advantage of her parted lips and slipped his tongue inside.
    Warmth spiraled through her veins, her head spun. He cupped her face as he slanted his mouth over hers, taking complete and absolute possession. She stopped resisting and just allowed herself to feel. His gloved hands were warm against her flesh, his mouth hot, wet. She could taste the brandy he had drunk earlier. She mimicked his movements by slipping her tongue into his mouth, along his. He groaned and pulled her against him. The heat of him was just amazing. It seeped through her clothes, warmed her. But it was not enough. She needed to be closer, needed to feel his body next to hers.
    Without breaking the kiss, he