Bobbi Smith - Captive Pride

Noah had been vaguely aware that James Radcliffe had had a younger brother who’d been banished to the colonies, but he’d never expected to meet him socially. He waited, nerves suddenly on edge, for Radcliffe’s reaction to his identity. If word of the duel and his brother’s death had reached him already, then Noah knew that a confrontation would be unavoidable. It was a confrontation he didn’t want. He was here to conduct business as quickly and quietly as possible without the taint of what had happened in England interfering, and he hoped that Geoffrey had not yet received the news.

Though the moment was a tense one for both Noah and Matt, they were relieved when the other nobleman showed no sign of recognition beyond the usual social amenities.

“My Lords Kincade.” Geoffrey nodded coolly in their direction. “What brings you two gentlemen to Boston?”

“Business, I’m afraid,” Noah responded noncommittally as he took a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing servant. “And you?”

“I suppose you could say I’m here on business, too,” he replied, thinking that his only business here in the colonies was the business of seeing to his own pleasure.

Eve had been keeping subtle track of Edward’s progress about the room as she’d danced with one of her admirers, and as soon as she could break free from the man’s persistent presence, she moved to join her host.

Her gaze was hot upon Noah Kincade as she drew near. She had recognized the nobleman at once when he’d entered the room shortly after she herself had arrived. He was tall and elegantly dressed in black velvet, and she found herself mesmerized by his overpowering presence. Noah Kincade, she’d decided, was every bit as attractive as the gossips had claimed, and Eve knew that somehow she was going to have him in her bed. She stilled a thrill of passion as she imagined his lips upon hers and his hands upon her body. How she would love parting her thighs to him! How marvelous it would be to be dominated by such a magnificent specimen of manhood! She could hardly wait to possess him completely!

Eve was cautious, though, and she schooled her features into a mask of polite interest as she approached. Geoffrey knew her too well, and it would never do for him to guess where her interests really lay…at least, not yet.

Edward noticed her coming to join them and introduced her. “Ah, Eve Woodham…I’d like you to meet Lord Noah Kincade and his brother Lord Matthew Kincade.”

“I’m honored.” Eve flashed Noah her most flirtatious look as he bent courteously over her hand.

“The pleasure is all mine, I’m sure,” he replied with ease.

As he greeted Eve, Matthew quickly discerned her carefully concealed interests, for her gaze followed Noah instead of looking at him. Though she was being careful to hide her emotions, Matt had seen so many women pursue his brother that he could recognize almost instinctively those who were about the chase. Knowing the outcome before the game even started, he took his leave of them as quickly and politely as possible and moved off to sample the refreshments spread out in sumptuous array on the tables nearby.

If there was one thing Noah was accustomed to, it was beautiful women flaunting themselves before him in hopes of gaining his affections. It was not a matter of ego with Noah, merely a fact that he had learned to deal with through the years. Women found him attractive, and many were very open in revealing their desire for a liaison with him. As he considered Eve with seeming indifference, he could tell that she wanted him. It was in her eyes as she met his gaze with frank boldness and in the unspoken invitation of her innately sensual movements as she stood before him.

Geoffrey, too, noticed her posturing, and he felt jealousy slowly begin to burn within him. She was his! How dare she flaunt herself before Kincade? Downing his drink, he fought down the urge to grab her and drag her from the room. There would be time later to let her know of his displeasure.

“If you’ll excuse me for a few moments, I see some late-arriving guests in the hall…” Edward took his leave of them.

“Of course, Edward.”

“How are you finding life in the colonies, Lord Kincade?” Eve asked with seemingly avid interest.

“Most interesting, Miss Woodham,” Noah replied drolly.

“Oh, it’s not Miss,” she told him. “It’s Mrs., but please call me Eve.”

“And your husband?” He quirked one dark brow at her invitation.

“Alas,” she sighed, “my husband has been dead for over two years now.”

“My deepest sympathies, Eve,” Noah responded.

“Thank you.” Her smile was tinged with what she hoped was the right amount of respectful sadness. “But it’s really not necessary. I’ve been out of mourning for some time now.”

Noah thought her pretty in a full-blown way, but as he considered her charms, CC stole into his thoughts… CC embarrassed by his overhearing her caustic comments on aristocrats, CC dressed in her outlandish boyish garb, and CC surrendering wantonly to his caresses in the darkness of the stables. A surge of desire filled him as he remembered that night, and as casually as he could, Noah lifted his head and glanced about the ballroom. As if by instinct, he found her, the emerald glory of her gown and the unpowdered, shining copper tresses drawing his gaze like a magnet.

Deep in conversation with Caroline Chadwick, CC suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if someone was staring at her intently. Looking up, her gaze collided with Noah’s and she felt heat flush through her body. Nervously she turned her back to him and tried to continue her discussion with Caroline.

“I’m sorry, Caroline; what were you saying?”

“I was saying, darling, that our dear, sweet Eve looks to have set her cap for a new man this evening,” Caroline related. Her eyes narrowed as she observed the merry widow hanging breathlessly on Noah Kincade’s every word.

“Oh? I hadn’t noticed…”

“How could you miss?” she commented dryly. “The woman’s practically falling out of her dress. It’s completely outrageous. Another inch and…Well, anyway, didn’t you see her? Why, as soon as the allemande she was dancing with Fulton ended, she made a ‘casual’ mad dash to where your father was introducing the Kincades to Major Winthrop and Lord Radcliffe. It’s disgraceful. Really, I don’t know how the woman gets away with it. She’s over there with him now just making a damned fool of herself!”

CC found herself growing irritated by all that Caroline was relating. She had made an honest effort to completely ignore Noah Kincade since he’d arrived, and had done quite well, until now. Now, since discovering his eyes upon her and listening to Caroline’s barbed comments about Eve’s behavior, she found herself shifting her stance so she could watch him covertly even as she continued conversation with her friend.

“Lord Kincade certainly is as handsome as everyone said,” Caroline went on. “And his brother, too. Don’t you think, CC?”

“I suppose,” CC answered distractedly. She didn’t want to care what Kincade did; in fact, she didn’t want to know. Yet she found herself unable to look away from the sight of Eve fawning all over him. For some reason, she found herself wanting to slap the widow.

“You only suppose?” Caroline gave her a very disbelieving look. “My dear, do you need glasses? They’re both marvelous-looking and, I understand, very rich…”

“Yes, that’s what I heard,” she agreed. She was glad when the musicians began to play again, interrupting Caroline’s endless chatter. CC was pleased when John appeared at her side and claimed her for the dance. Although she was tempted, she forced herself not to look over in Kincade’s direction again, devoting all her attention to John.