All The Ways To Ruin A Rogue(64)
“I’m requesting that you leave her alone.” He inhaled sharply through his nose, disliking asking this man for anything, though he knew he had to try.
All at once Mackenzie didn’t appear so relaxed. He leaned forward, setting his drink down, his dark eyes alert as a hawk closing in on prey. “Are you asking me a favor, Lord Camden?”
Max swallowed against the bitter taste rising up in his throat and gave a hard nod. “Yes.”
“Now that’s an enticement, Viscount Camden indebted to me. I’m a man who values favors.”
“You want position. I can help you achieve that. I have the connections. Important friends.”
“That could be . . . useful. That might be the price I require.” Mackenzie nodded slowly. “Yes. You do.” He rose then and moved from around his desk, extending his hand to Max. “I accept your offer. You have my word, Camden. I’ll leave your Lady Aurelia alone. In exchange for a future favor.”
The words She’s not mine hovered on his lips, but he could not bring himself to say them. Not to this man. Not with the hot feeling of possession pumping through him.
He looked down at the Scot’s proffered hand as though it belonged to the devil himself. It certainly felt as though he were entering into an unholy pact. And yet there was no alternative. “Agreed.”
After shaking Mackenzie’s hand, Max turned and moved to the door.
“Camden,” the Scotsman called out.
Max stopped and turned back to face the blackguard, arching an eyebrow.
“A word of advice?”
“What’s that?” he asked warily.
“There is one way to keep the chit out of trouble, you know.”
Max stared, waiting for him to elaborate.
“You could just marry her yourself.”
He stared at Mackenzie a long moment, those words sinking in before he turned and departed the house.
Chapter 16
Aurelia looked up as a footman led Max into the drawing room. She was careful to school her features into a mask of impassivity despite her surprise at his appearance. After their last encounter, she did not expect to see him for a good while.
Three days had passed since he hauled her from Sodom. Three days since he had kissed and rejected her. Three days since she decided once and for all to move forward with her life and stop doing whatever it was she was doing with Max. She’d told herself time and distance would be for the best. So truly there was no excuse for her heart to race faster at the sight of him.
His tall length ambled with a casual grace. He conveyed strength and checked power as he greeted her brother and Violet. He cut a fine figure in a dark jacket and buff-colored breeches. She looked away from his impressive physique and glanced to Buckston, sitting across from her. Buckston was still talking, moving his hands animatedly. He had not even noticed the new arrival. Her smile felt brittle as glass but she clung to it, desperate to give no reaction to the inclusion of Max into their dinner party. He’d been around all her life. Tonight should be no different from any other night.
Except it was. She never had to mingle among her family with him so close, with the knowledge of what his lips tasted like, a living, breathing memory.
She clenched her hands together in her lap and followed Buckston’s cue, laughing when he laughed even though she had no notion what he had said that he considered so amusing.
Even though she did not glance at Max again, all of her hummed with awareness, her body achingly alert. A marked change from moments ago. She had been fighting to stay awake during Buckston’s diatribe as he recounted his latest shopping spree and the new haberdashery that had just opened its doors. Buckston just might enjoy matters of clothing and fashion more than any woman of her acquaintance. He had won Mama over instantly when he complimented her puce turban and matching slippers. Gentlemen so rarely noticed a lady’s slippers.