A Rake's Reward

Sara found herself laughing until her sides ached, and she had to stop and catch her breath. She had not had so much fun since... Well, she could not think of when she had ever had so much fun. Lord Reath’s voice cut into her thoughts. “Miss Whately, if you would take my left hand, no, my right, I believe we shall turn as we ought.” “Oh, yes, I am sorry. I was woolgathering.” Sara looked up at him while taking his hand. His cheek was dimpled and his deep gray eyes twinkled merrily. The oddest sensation overcame her. It was as if the world just faded away. Despite the cheerful crowd around them, Sara felt as if there were no one else in the room but herself and Lord Reath. Deep in his eyes there was something… something both exciting and disturbing at the same time. Heat rushed up her arm from her fingertips and coursed through her body as she felt her bare hand being held gently but firmly in Lord Reath’s own hand. She knew that at a proper dance they would both be wearing gloves, and now she knew why. That they were actually touching skin to skin, holding each other’s hands, was positively indecent. But his eyes… She could drown in those eyes—so deep, so enticing. They looked like the sea on a stormy day.