Page 14 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

“Good day. Madalene.” Benjamin had quite the beguiling grin.

“A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Spencer,” said Stephen, his visage emotionless.

Although for the best, it stung that he pretended they had not ravaged each other just hours ago.

She met his gaze. “I prefer Madalene to Mrs. Spencer.”

“I am sure you do,” Stephen said.

The situation was awkward enough without his snippy tone. Maddie crossed her arms over her chest and sent him a pointed glare.

Aunt Henrietta broke the uncomfortable silence. “Second Lieutenant Calhoun, I have a lovely afternoon planned for the ladies. Would you care to join us?”

“Oh? I planned to hunt with the men. But if you require my presence, I would be honored to join you.”

“I know how you love flowers, so I thought you might enjoy our painting lesson later this morning,” Aunt Henrietta said.

“Will both of you be there?” Benjamin smiled at Maddie.

“Yes,” her aunt said.

“Then I would be delighted. Do not tell anyone, but I much prefer flowers and ladies to guns and men.”

Stephen’s jaw clenched.

“Captain Eaton, would you care to join us?” Aunt Henrietta patted Maddie’s forearm. “It would be much more fun for my niece if she did not have to spend the afternoon with a bevy of old ladies.”

Maddie’s cheeks heated, and she held her breath, waiting for his response.

Stephen ran a hand through his luscious hair. “As delightful as it sounds, I am afraid that I must decline your invitation. I have personal correspondence that I must attend to.”

Since Benjamin’s eyebrows almost hit the ceiling, it was obvious that the honorable captain had just lied.

“How disappointing, “Aunt Henrietta said. “Both of you must join us for breakfast. I insist.”

Stephen’s glassy eyes betrayed his torment. Maddie had meant for the kiss to make him happy, not add to his pain.

“Of course, Lady Saxton,” he said.

While the men filled their plates, her aunt schemed. “I will arrange to have you seated beside him at dinner. Remember, he is an aristocratic gentleman who will not respond to your flirtatious personality like American men. Ladies do not thrust theirdécolletagein men’s faces. They do not lead them into dark corners….”

Firstly, showcasing your feminine assets was not shoving them in a man’s face. Secondly, she should stop her aunt and inform her that her reputation was already ruined and that he would never ask for her hand in marriage.

Moreover, Stephen would not be sitting beside Maddie at dinner because Sir Saxton would be throwing him out of the castle at any moment.

Chapter seven

October 4th, 1817

Stephenrecognizedthatcurve-huggingblue dress. Madalene Spencer was his mystery woman. She’d been put on Earth to test his resolve, and he was failing miserably. Any minute now, a jealous husband and an angry uncle would barge into the dining parlor and gut him. Meanwhile, Lady Saxton seemed oblivious, and Calhoun shamelessly flirted with Madalene as she exuded intoxicating feminine magic.

Forming a fist, he fought his overwhelming desire to reach across the table and touch her.

“Madalene, tell us about New York. I hear the buildings are so tall you cannot see the tops from the street,” Calhoun said.

“I find Herald Hall more to my liking,” she said in that raspy voice that made Stephen want.

“How did you occupy yourself in New York?” Calhoun asked.