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c:::-:: -----Ex-c-er-p-t ~fr~o-m-W--or~th-y-~of~a~P~i~ra~te~'s~L~o~v-e --------
Amanda Brown
writing as
Amanda Broadbeck
It's much too hot in here, Adelina thought
as she moved about the room in an attempt
to. find a cool place to sit and rest. The cool
athir from an open door beckoned her out onto
b e balcony. Outside, she sat on the wooden
ench and began to loosen her slippers. She
pulled the hem of her dress back and lifted
~er feet into the air, smiling at the relief of be- Adelina against him, waiting for the music to
Ing able to wiggle her toes.
"F ~rom behind her came a deep voice.
eeling better? Here, you could use some
of t~s more than me," a man said, handing
Adehna a glass of wine.
b Adelina gulped the beverage down and
lushed as the warmth of the liquid flowed
through her. "Thank you."
':You're welcome," the man laughed.
Adelma looked up to the man, illuminated by
the soft glow from the light in the ballroom.
~he ma~ before her was dressed entirely in
lack, with the sleeves of his shirt pushed up
to his elbows. The neckline of his shirt was
open, displaying the hair on his chest. She
could tell in the moonlight that the man had a
tto?ark tan and muscular shoulders. She gazed
the handsome face of the man in black.
nstead of the typical periwig that the others
~:ten wore, his hair was pushed back behind
his ears. A lock of hair remained in front of
bIS blue eyes, despite his attempt to brush it
Sack. J:Ie had a strong, freshly shaven chin.
he estImated him to be a few years older
than herself.
A ".MY name is Adelina. Ellingsworth,"
1 dehna said, her words coming out with a
ong pause as though she was unsure of her
OWnname.
"You can call me Henry," the strang-
er salId with a smile. "If you want to put
Ydourslippers back on, I'll invite you in for a
ance."
B Adelina smiled. Without a thought of
randon, she secured her laces and stood up,
surprised to find that the man in front of her
was almost a head and a half taller than she
was. Smiling, she accepted his arm and al-
lowed him to escort her into the ballroom.
The waltz was just about to begin and Ade-
lina watched Brandon lead Juliet onto the
floor, oblivious of her presence. Henry pulled
start.
Adelina's heart sped up as he slipped
his arm around her waist. She took a deep
breath, forcing herself to breath as she placed
a delicate hand on his muscular shoulder.
"I've never seen you before, milord."
"Oh, I've been in London for about a
week or two. And, please, call me Henry,"
he directed.
As the waltz continued, Adelina felt
as though someone was watching her. She
looked over her shoulder to find a jealous
sneer radiating from Juliet. Adelina watched
Juliet whisper something in Brandon's ear. A
few minutes later, his green eyes looked over
and glared heavily at Adelina. But before she
could wonder what caused such a look from
her betrothed, the waltz picked up speed.
Adelina had to quicken her steps and move
closer to Henry to keep up with the dance.
The faster the music played, the closer she
found herself to him. In moments, she could
feel his hard muscles working underneath his
shirt and the heat of his body against her own.
She could feel her heart beating faster as she
moved about the room with Henry holding
her close. She couldn't tell if it was the dance
steps or Henry that made the blood pump to
her checks, turning her skin a slight shade of
pink.
The music stopped abruptly and Henry
stopped in his place, leaving Adelina to stum-
ble into him as she fought to steady herself.
Henry looked at her with the bluest eyes
she'd ever seen. "I'm sure we'll be meeting
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