Confessions at Midnight

that.

Memoirs of a Mistress by An Anonymous Lady

Dressed in an ice blue, lace trimmed negligee and matching robe, Carolyn paced the confines of her foyer. She paused to glance at the clock on the corner table. Just past two a.m. She'd last seen Daniel an hour earlier in Lord Exbury's foyer as she'd departed the soiree. I'll see you very soon, he'd murmured. Before she could ask him to clarify what 'very soon' meant, he'd vanished into the crowd.

Hopeful that he meant later that night, she'd sent Nelson off to bed as soon as she arrived home, raced up to her bedchamber and changed into her finest negligee. For the past half hour she'd kept up her vigil in the foyer, praying for the front gate bell to jingle, indicating he'd come.

She pressed her hands to her midriff to calm her inner flutters, and anticipation quickened her breathing, the same sense of expectation that had heightened her senses all evening. She'd spent very little actual time with Daniel at the Exbury soiree. They'd shared one waltz, during which she'd barely been able to speak, what with the inferno consuming her as he'd undressed her with his eyes. Indeed, about all she'd managed was to ask him if he'd received her gift. His eyes had blazed and he answered yes. And then he spoke the words that had whispered through her brain the rest of the evening: I want to give you all that, Carolyn. And more.

After that, they'd had only a brief conversation, and numerous glances across the room, ending with his cryptic, I'll see you very soon.

Yet their lack of actual contact had only served to elevate her yearning for him. She'd been painfully aware of Daniel every second, barely able to concentrate on anything or anyone other than him. And found herself more than a little jealous every time a woman claimed his attention. Lady Walsh, Lady Balsam, and Lady Margate-all beautiful women.

She'd wanted to slap every one of them.

After another quarter hour of pacing the foyer, she finally accepted the disappointing realization that 'very soon' had not meant 'later tonight.' Heaving a sigh, she climbed the stairs and headed for her bedchamber, even though she knew sleep would elude her.

She entered her room and closed the door behind her. Tipping back her head, she closed her eyes and leaned her shoulders against the wood panel, every fiber of her being torn between missing Daniel and fervently wishing she didn't. Finally, she listlessly raised her head and opened her eyes. And stilled. And stared.

At Daniel, who lay atop her counterpane, his back propped up against the headboard cushioned by her lace- trimmed pillows, his arms raised and casually linked behind his head.

Daniel, who wore nothing except skin.

And who was obviously very happy to see her.

'You should probably lock the door,' he said softly.

Unable to take her gaze off him, she reached behind her and fumbled with the lock. As soon as it clicked into place, he slowly rose from the bed and walked toward her, reminding her of a dark jungle cat who'd spotted its prey.

She couldn't have moved or spoken had her life depended on it. Her breath caught at the sight of him, so strong, muscular, and so very aroused. The heat smoldering in his gaze threatened to incinerate her where she stood.

The fire burning in the grate cast the room in a warm, golden glow that illuminated his body in a captivating pattern of shadows and light. When he reached her, he drew her into his arms and lowered his head. The feel of his body pressing against hers, of his bare skin beneath her hands as she ran them up his chest to encircle his neck, rendered her lightheaded. Their lips met and hers parted on a sigh of pleasure. Unlike their last kiss, which had been wild and frantic, this one was slow. Deliberate. Deep. Intoxicating. And liquefied her knees.

He lifted his head, ending the kiss as slowly as he'd initiated it, leaving her breathless for more. His gaze simmered with an intensity she hadn't seen before, one that made her wish she could read his thoughts. One that sizzled a heated tremor to her core.

Brushing his fingers gently along her jaw, he said softly, 'Carolyn.'

In response, she whispered the one word that had trembled on her lips all evening. 'Daniel.' Then she swallowed and asked, 'What are you doing here?'

'Waiting for you. For what seemed like forever, by the way. Where have you been?'

A sheepish grin quirked one corner of her mouth. 'In the foyer.'

His gaze swept over her attire. 'Wearing a negligee?'

'I was waiting for you, as I'd hoped your 'I'll see you very soon' comment meant I'd see you tonight. How did you get in here?'

'I couldn't possibly tell you. After all, a man must have his secrets.'

Realizing he'd repeated the exact words she'd said to him earlier, she tossed his own reply back at him. 'You realize you're enticing me to find out.'

'I'm delighted to hear you're enticed. I will tell you that my method of arrival is in keeping with my highwayman persona. And that the lock on your bedchamber window is not all it should be, but I managed to fix it while I waited for you.'

Her gaze flew to the French windows that led to a small balcony. 'You came in through the window! However did you climb up to the second floor?'

'As I said, a man must have his secrets, although I will admit I was fully dressed when I arrived. Since you wouldn't tell me what you wore to bed, I decided to find out for myself.' His hot gaze skimmed over the cream lace outlining her breasts. 'I like it very much. And in the spirit of full disclosure, I thought it only fair to let you see what I wear to bed.'

Her gaze traveled over his broad shoulders and chest. She licked her lips. 'I like it very much.'

She wanted to press herself against him, feel the magic of his kiss again, but instead he took her hand and led her toward the bed. Rather than tossing her on the mattress as she'd hoped, he lifted a slim wrapped package from her night table. 'For you.'

'Another gift?' she asked, surprised yet undeniably pleased. She took the offering, which based on its shape and size she suspected was a book. Dear God, him showing up in her bedchamber naked was gift enough. 'If you're not careful I'm going to start expecting presents every time I see you,' she teased.

'It will be my pleasure to provide them.'

'Shall I open it now?'

'Only if you want to see what it is.'

Even though it was nearly impossible to concentrate on anything other than his nakedness, she managed to untie the ribbon and pull away the tissue paper, to reveal a slightly worn, leather-bound volume. She ran her finger over the gilt title letters, a concise collection OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY.

'Galatea told the highwayman that rather than jewels, she'd prefer a book from a gentleman's own collection. Since you gave me one from yours, I thought it fitting to give you one from mine.' He touched a bit of blue ribbon emerging from one of the pages. 'I've marked the passages relating to Galatea.'

'Thank you.'

'You're welcome.' One corner of his mouth lifted. 'Not quite as stimulating as the book you gave me.'

'Nevertheless, I'll treasure it.'

'I'm glad.' He took the book from her and set it on the nightstand. 'And speaking of treasure, it's about time the highwayman collected his bounty.' He lightly clasped her waist and his gaze wandered down to her feet then slowly back up. 'You're stunning.'

'As are you.'

'Except you're overdressed.'

'So I've noticed.' She glided her hands across the breadth of his chest. 'Will you help me correct me that?'

'Never have I received a more tempting invitation.'

While he untied the sash to her robe, she pressed her lips to the center of his chest, closed her eyes and breathed in his scent. The smell of him, warm and clean, with a hint of sandalwood and starched linen, made her