Not Quite A Gentleman

beheld.

Victoria reclined in the brass tub, her silhouette glazed by the golden glow of the crackling fire. Her dark, shiny hair was piled on her head in artful disarray, several long tendrils trailing along her neck and cheeks. Curls of steam spiraled around her, glossing her cheekbones with dewy heat.

She held a book in front of her and appeared deeply engrossed in her reading, nibbling on her bottom lip. As he watched, an intriguing smile that seemed filled with secrets tilted her lips, and he found himself hoping it was thoughts of him that inspired such a look.

She slowly closed the book, setting it on the small round table that had been placed next to the bathtub to hold a pair of thick snowy towels. Then her eyes slid closed.

With an ease born of much practice, he soundlessly opened the French windows and made his way on silent feet across the room, carrying a single, long stem red rose. When he stood next to the tub, he looked down. Her head rested on the polished brass lip, exposing her elegant, damp neck. His gaze riveted on the red mark where the knife had nicked her and his jaw tightened. Forcing his attention away from the cut, he continued his perusal. Steamy water lapped at her shoulders, forming tiny pools in the delicate indents of her collarbone. Beneath the surface that shimmered gently with her breathing, full breasts topped with rosy nipples glistened. His gaze drifted over her stomach, the triangle of dark curls at the apex of her thighs, then along the line of her shapely legs. The tub was shorter than Victoria, and to compensate, she’d rested her crossed trim ankles on the other edge, leaving her calves and feet exposed to the air. Her feet were small, her instep a high curve his fingers itched to trace.

“Are you enjoying your bath, Victoria?”

Her eyes snapped open and she gasped. Water sloshed over the side of the tub as her feet slapped below the surface and she simultaneously crossed her legs and folded her arms across her chest. “Wh-What are you doing here?”

“I came to see if you were enjoying your bath.” He held out the rose. “For you.”

Her startled gaze skipped between him and the proffered flower. Then she reached up and took the stem, bringing the bloom to her face and burying her nose in its velvety petals. Looking at him over the top of the rose, she took in his attire, then asked, “Why are you dressed all in black?”

“So as to avoid detection from anyone who might be lurking outdoors while I swung down onto your balcony.”

She looked quickly toward the French windows, then back at him. Although she still appeared stunned, there was no mistaking the flare of interest in her eyes. “You came in through the balcony? How?”

“Jumped down from the window on the floor above.”

Her eyes widened. “You did not.”

“I did.”

“Are you mad? If you’d fallen, you could have been seriously injured.”

“Dead, most likely,” he corrected with a grave nod. “How fortunate I am sure-footed.”

“Have you never heard of a door?”

“Too predictable, especially given that I wanted the element of surprise in my favor. Besides, I ran a far greater risk of discovery entering your bedchamber from the corridor. And what if the door had been locked? While I could have picked the lock, I risked discovery doing so. Nor did I have any wish to knock, for if I did, you might have been compelled to exit the tub and don a robe to open the door. Then I would have missed seeing you in the bath, and my darling Victoria, allow me to assure you, it is not a sight to be missed.”

Crimson to rival the rose he’d given her stained her cheeks. “So you jumped out of a window and landed on my balcony.”

He shrugged. “It is the way of us spies. Although I admit I’m relieved I didn’t injure any pertinent body parts. I’m a bit out of practice with the maneuver, I’m afraid.”

“And you’re here to examine my scrapes?”

“Not exactly,” he said, crossing the room. When he reached the door, he turned the key in the lock. The soft click seemed to reverberate in the air. While walking slowly back to her, he rolled up his shirtsleeves to his elbows, noting how carefully she watched him, the alertness and awareness simmering in her eyes. When he reached the tub, he lowered himself to his knees and rested his forearms on the edge. The tips of his fingers gently stirred the water.

“I would of course be delighted to check on your injuries,” he said, his gaze riveted on hers, “but in the interest of fair play, I must warn you, I am here not as a doctor but as a man. A man intent upon…” His voice trailed off and he reached out to slowly drag a single fingertip along the delicate line of her collarbone.

She looked at him with wide, luminous eyes. “Upon what?” she asked in a breathless voice. “Seduction?”

“Seduction,” he repeated slowly, savoring the word like a fine, rich claret. “Now that is a tantalizing, arousing idea. And one I will certainly ponder. Next time.”

Confusion flickered in her eyes. “Next time?”

“Yes.” He arranged his features into a mask of regret. “As delightful as seduction would be, I’m afraid this visit is for revenge.”

Without giving her a chance to reply, he stood and smoothly whisked her towels from the small table. Then he moved to the far end of the fireplace, well out of reach, and casually rested his shoulders against the white marble mantel.

Her gaze shifted from the empty table to the towels he held, then swept the room. Her night rail and a robe lay across the foot of the bed. The nearest thing to cover herself with were the towels he held. She looked at him and pursed her lips.

“I understand,” she said, nodding. “This is your revenge for what happened at the lake. I saw you naked and wet, so now you shall see me naked and wet.”

“ ‘Tis only fair. And I did warn you I would seek retribution. But you seeing me naked and wet isn’t all that happened at the lake.” A slow smile curved his lips. “And I fully intend to retaliate.”

He was deeply gratified by the unmistakable flare of interest in her gaze. Without breaking their eye contact, she leaned forward, laid her folded arms along the edge of the tub and rested her chin on her stacked hands.

“What if I don’t get out of the tub?”

“You’ll eventually have to.” He smiled and crossed his ankles. “I’m prepared to wait as long as it takes.”

“Hmmm. And if I refuse?”

“Then I suppose I shall be forced to climb into the tub with you.”

“Would you really do that?”

“Is that an invitation?”

Her lips twitched. “No. It’s a question. I’m weighing my options and need an answer.”

“In that case, my answer is yes, I would. In a heartbeat.”

“I see. Well, I shall need a moment to reflect upon this and plan. To decide what to do.”

“Take your time,” Nathan said with a magnanimous sweep of his hand. He bent down to set the towels on the edge of the hearth rug and realized he’d scooped up her book along with the towels. Plucking it from the top of the pile, he read the title and raised his brows.

“Ah, the infamous Ladies’ Guide,” he said, straightening. He opened to a random page and read:

“ ‘There are countless ways Today’s Modern Woman can seduce the gentleman she desires. She is hindered only by her imagination. Suggest a moonlit stroll with the intention of veering off onto a private path for an outdoor tryst. He won’t be able to resist a note, unsigned but scented with your fragrance, upon which you’ve written only a time and place.’ ”

Looking up, he nodded approvingly. “Yes, either of those would work very nicely for me. Shall I continue?”

“If you like. I believe the next suggestion involves the lady discreetly stroking her gentleman through his breeches.”

Nathan glanced down and silently read the next two lines. “It does indeed.” He couldn’t decide if he was more intrigued or disquieted by her choice of reading material. He found the thought of her using any knowledge gained from the book on him highly arousing. The thought of her using it on anyone else shot white-hot jealousy through him. He closed the book and set it on the mantel, noting she regarded him with an