My Lord Eternity (Immortal Rogues #2)(12)
Author: Alexandra Ivy

It was little wonder that Miss Kingly found it impossible to turn her back on such misery, he thought, turning his head to watch the maiden as she moved toward a small form huddled in a distant corner.

It seemed impossible to believe that any creature with any heart at all could allow such misery to exist.

Uncertain whether to join Miss Kingly and risk frightening the injured child, Lucien was halted as a small hand suddenly clutched his fingers.

Glancing down, he was instantly enchanted by the tiny girl with a heart-shaped face and large brown eyes that were regarding him with absolute trust. With great care not to startle the child, he settled his tall length onto a dusty barrel, indifferent to the knowledge his breeches would be ruined.

She regarded him in silence before calmly climbing onto his lap and polishing off the peach tart she held in her grimy fingers. Lucien instinctively cuddled her close, thoroughly caught off guard by the warm glow that entered his heart at the sensation of her tiny form settling against his chest.

He was uncertain how long they sat there in silence, but sensing someone watching him, Lucien lifted his head to discover Miss Kingly regarding him in surprise.

"Are you finished here?" he asked in low tones.

She gave a slow nod of her head. "Yes."

Gently running his hand over the girl’s tangled locks, he reluctantly set her onto her feet and watched as she hurried toward the other children. Only then did he rise to his feet and fall into step beside Miss Kingly as she made her way back to the door and out into the street.

Realizing that she was still regarding him with puzzled surprise, he abruptly came to a halt and met her gaze squarely.

"What is it?"

"Annie."

It took a moment to work out that she was referring to the child he had held on his lap.

"Is that her name? A charming minx."

"She is very wary of adults. Indeed, I have never been allowed even to come close to her,"

the maiden confessed.

Lucien smiled at her puzzlement. Obviously she did not consider him the sort of gentleman who would naturally be good with children.

"Perhaps she was felled by my charm," he teased lightly. "Females find it quite irresistible, you know."

A reluctant smile curved her lips. "Whatever the reason, I am grateful you coaxed her into eating her dinner. Although the older children do their best, she is easily overlooked."

Lucien reached up to tenderly cup her chin. "It is no hardship to be kind to children."

A faint tremor raced through her at his touch, and his heart quickened as she reached out to tongue and moisten her lips.

"I wish that all shared your sentiment. There are so many I cannot reach."

Stepping closer, he allowed the passions that had been so long suppressed to course through his blood. In the soft night his blood ran hot.

"That is enough for this evening, Miss Kingly," he said in husky tones. "You have done your duty and it is time to consider more enjoyable pastimes."

Sensing the sudden heat in the air, her eyes widened. "What enjoyable pastimes are you referring to?"

He gave a low chuckle. "You shall soon discover, Miss Kingly."

Four

Jocelyn shifted uneasily on her chair as she cast a covert glance at the elegant gentleman seated across the small chessboard from her. He should appear ludicrously out of place in the shabby room with his expensive clothes and the candlelight shimmering in the golden strands of his long hair. Even the delicate beauty of his features was a direct contrast to the harsh surroundings. He surely was a creature of Mayfair.

And yet there was no hint of discomfort in the noble countenance or any air of a gentleman who thought himself above such meager entertainment as a game of chess with an aging spinster.

Instead, a wicked smile played about his lips that thoroughly distracted Jocelyn from any hope of strategy.

Perhaps sensing her intense scrutiny, the golden gaze abruptly lifted to regard her with open amusement.

"Checkmate," he announced in soft tones.

Startled out of her odd distraction, Jocelyn glanced down at the chessboard to discover that she had indeed been properly cornered.

A disgruntled disbelief flared through her at being so easily bested.

"Impossible," she muttered.

He leaned negligently back in his seat, making no effort to hide his satisfaction. "I did warn you that I am quite skilled."

"I am known to possess a certain amount of skill myself," she retorted with a hint of annoyance.

"You have skill," he conceded before allowing his gaze to deliberately drop to her full mouth.

"But not enough daring. You play a game of defense, not willing to risk all to capture victory."

It would be impossible to escape the knowledge that he spoke of more than a mere chess game, and Jocelyn struggled to hide that absurd prickle of awareness that raced through her.

"Risk can as easily bring defeat."

If possible, his smile became even more devilish. "That is why it is so thrilling. Anyone can move pieces in a well-plotted routine." The golden gaze returned to pierce deep into her wary eyes. "Ah, but one who is willing to boldly strike out without knowing if he is destined to taste success or falter in failure is truly a master of the game."

She did not doubt that he was a master of such games. He would be bold and daring whether playing chess or facing an enemy or seducing a woman.

And in truth, she had once been very much like him. Confident, brash, and utterly confident that she was impervious to danger.

Life had taught her a bitter lesson in assuming that she could play with fire and not be burned.

And burned badly.

"Routine plodding is far more dependable than brash recklessness," she philosophized.

His eyes narrowed as if he sensed she was hiding secrets deep inside. "But where is the fun?"

"The satisfaction of success."

A surprising hint of tenderness softened the beautiful features. "There is little point in achieving success if you did not enjoy the path leading to your purpose."

"There are other things in life beyond fun and enjoyment," she determinedly argued.

"What?"

"Duty, responsibility, and consideration of others."

Slowly he leaned forward, his hand reaching out to lightly touch her cheek.

"All very noble, Miss Kingly, but life is a banquet that should be sampled to the fullest. Duty, joy, love … passion."

Although his touch was as gentle as a feather, Jocelyn felt scalded by the fingers that lingered against her skin. She thought she was no stranger to passion. Hadn’t she once before tasted of the forbidden fruit?