Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 32

The audience broke into applause and the emerald curtains dropped down, covering the stage from view.

"That was wonderful," Anne admitted.

"I found the story to be most captivating," Cedric replied.

"Do you know it?" She hadn't thought he'd studied operas, only attended them.

"I had Ashton read me the summary so I might have something to picture in my mind. Is Matilde as beautiful to Corradino as she sounds?" Cedric asked, his lips lifting into the ghost of a smile.

"Yes. She is very beautiful. I believe Corradino's reaction to her is what is so enchanting. He sees only her, wants only her. It would be something, to be desired like that." Anne ended with a sigh and looked toward the stage bereft of the lively actors.

Cedric lifted her hand and brushed his lips on her open palm, making her shiver. She turned back to him, entranced by the sight of his mouth exploring her hand. He licked the center of her palm, and the spike of his tongue sparked the place between her thighs to life, awaiting something she kept refusing herself. But come Saturday, she knew that she could not keep Cedric barred from her bedchamber. And at that moment, she didn't want to keep him out.

"Drop the box curtains, Anne. Let me kiss you senseless. I need to taste the sweet innocence of your mouth and feel the weight of your body in my arms." Anne was halfway ready to let him, but the door to their box swung open. A shaft of light broke through and lit up Cedric's irritated face.

"Emily!" Anne pulled her hand free of Cedric's mouth as Emily and Godric came in.

"I hope we are not intruding," Godric apologized as he registered the disapproving scowl on Cedric's face.

"Not at all, Your Grace," Anne assured Godric.

"You bloody well are," Cedric grumbled, though only Anne heard him.

"Splendid! Have you both enjoyed the show?" Emily asked, alight with her natural mischief.

"Yes. Lord Sheridan and I were just talking about the story," Anne said.

"And about to make our own," Cedric said, again too soft for the others to hear.

Her smile widened as she reflected on the moment she and Cedric had shared before they'd been interrupted. She'd felt like Matilde, if only for a few seconds.

"Now, Anne, wasn't there someone you saw earlier that you said I should like to meet?" Emily's tone dropped as she spoke.

Anne leapt up. Of course! The reason that she'd come to the opera tonight was to introduce Anne to Lady Rosalind Melbourne.

"Whatever do you mean?" Emily scanned the crowd and then realized what she had meant. She covered her mouth with her hands. "Is that her? The woman whom Ashton is escorting into that dark alcove?"

"Yes." Anne didn't know whether she ought to leave the lady and lord alone, or whether to run to Lady Melbourne's rescue. Lord Lennox had a particularly punishing expression on his face. Anne was not sure she could properly assess his intentions. Could a man be both angered and intrigued by a woman at the same time?

"Oh dear, I suppose I shan't have the fortune of meeting her this evening. I must confess, I've never seen Ashton look so..." Emily failed to supply a word and waved a hand in the air.

"Confused?" Anne offered.

"Befuddled. And furious. Do you think she needs us to interfere?"

Anne watched the couple as they disappeared from sight. "You don't think he might physically harm her, do you?"

Emily giggled. "Ashton? Lord no, he would never... At least, not physically," she amended thoughtfully. "Her business might be in danger though. We ought to warn her of that, but not tonight."

"One can't help but wonder what is going on between them," Anne mused long after she could no longer see any evidence of Lady Melbourne or Lord Lennox in the theater.

What could the mysterious baron be up to?