Excerpt

EXCERPT FROM DANGEROUS BEAUTY
COPYRIGHT © TRACY COOPER-POSEY 2012
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Piggot nodded at the manservant then turned his attention back to them. “Lady Natasha, would you care to take a stroll about the gardens? The air in here is quite stifling, is it not?”

“A lovely idea, indeed,” her mother replied, stiff smile in place.

Natasha accepted his extended arm, feeling rough broadcloth beneath her fingers and a spindly forearm below. He led her toward the nearest pair of double doors and she hoped there would be others in the dimly lit gardens. Her mother might have at least offered to act as chaperone!

“Your mother tells me you will be spending the entire Season here in London,” Piggot ventured. “Are you looking forward to the extended visit?”

Natasha glanced up at him and caught him staring straight down her bodice. No doubt from his height he could see more than most. She lifted a brow and he abruptly shifted his gaze.

“I find the sights of London stimulating,” she said stiffly.

“I can think of many stimulating opportunities.” His thin lips stretched into what she assumed was a smile, but the expression was so distorted it made her shiver.

They were out on the long balcony now and the night air was welcome. However, the light was considerably dimmed out here. There were quite a few people lingering on the balcony and on the pair of stairs on either end that swirled down to the gardens.

Despite the witnesses, Piggot slid his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She caught her breath as his long, emaciated fingers stroked the underside of her left breast. The indecency of the man!

Torn between slapping him silly and kicking him between the legs—a position she had heard was particularly painful—she stopped in mid-stride, which tore his arm away from her.

He spun to face her and merely lifted his brow a little, watching her. With her heart pumping in her ears, she gave him one of her most brilliant smiles, to disarm him, took a half step forward to bring him within range, then stomped on his instep with the heel of her dancing shoe. She heard his choked cry of pain as he bent over sharply, but didn’t wait for more.

She stalked back inside, fury and despair swelling her heart. Her mother was determined to find her a husband and now, after Natasha had resisted for so many years, it appeared she would push her into any vaguely suitable man’s arms, regardless of the proprieties, or the price it might extol upon her daughter.

The walls of the trap were starting to close in. She could feel them shuddering closer. In all these years of scheming and plotting…had she extended her parents’ goodwill on the matter of a husband to breaking point? Would they force the issue now?

If only…if only she had not met Vaughn and Elisa Wardell, her life would be considerably simpler!