Seduced: The Scandalous Virgin

Genia took great pains to repair her appearance before her first dinner at the captain's table. Unfortunately, her toilette made her so late that the only vacant chair was the one beside Blade Maxwell. Stifling a groan, she stammered her apologies and slipped into her seat.

Her hopes that Blade might ignore her were quickly dashed when he turned toward her with a smile that would have thawed an iceberg. “Your drenching doesn't appear to have done you any harm, Miss Vernon. I hope you found your accommodations satisfactory.”

“I believe they will do very well.” She took care to avoid his gaze. A glimmer of well-feigned interest in those silver-gray eyes might tempt her to let down her guard.

Her heart began to flutter in the most ridiculous manner when he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Make certain to keep your cabin door locked at all times.”

“Why?” Genia cast a glance around the table at their fellow passengers. “You cannot suppose anyone would have designs on my person?”

He gave the most maddeningly infectious chuckle. “You need have no fear on that score. All the unmarried gentlemen are lodged on the deck below. You should be more concerned about the designs certain crewmen might have on your possessions. Some would consider an unlocked cabin an open invitation to pilfer.”

“Of course.” A fierce blush blazed in Genia's cheeks. “Thank you for the warning.”

Was Blade Maxwell deliberately trying to bait her into making a fool of herself again? What had she ever done to him but make her attraction too obvious?

She sought to ignore him by turning her attention to the elderly gentleman her father had asked to watch over her on the voyage, but he was deep in conversation with the captain.

Blade persisted in quizzing her. “What takes you back to England, Miss Vernon?”

Genia nearly choked on a morsel of Bengal mutton. Blade Maxwell was the very last person in the world she wished to know the truth about what awaited her in England.

“I am going to live with my father's aunt,” she replied once she'd cleared her throat. “She means to make me the heiress to her entire fortune.”

It wasn't altogether a lie, Genia tried to placate her protesting conscience. Great-aunt Millicent might leave her a small legacy, though not likely enough to live in any comfort.

“A most enviable situation.” Blade took a deep draft of his wine. “I congratulate you.”

The newfound respect in his tone went to Genia's head. “Yes. I shall be quite independent, able to live in perfect freedom without the encumbrance of a husband and children.”

Was she only professing to disdain what she had no hope of getting? Genia asked herself as she strove to resist Blade Maxwell's disarming charm. No, it went deeper than that. But she was not about to confide her most intimate feelings to a rake like him.

Chapter Two

A woman of independent means who wanted nothing to do with marriage would be the perfect partner for a shipboard seduction. That thought hummed a constant refrain in Blade's mind all the next week, growing more insistent with each passing day.

Now, as the passengers of the Hartwell gathered in the roundhouse to occupy the hours between luncheon and teatime, he could scarcely keep his mind on the cards in his hand. Instead, his ears were trained upon Genia as she entertained old Mr. Ramsey with a story.

Ever since their departure from Madras, Blade had become daily more certain that Miss Vernon was by far the most interesting person aboard. With the other gentlemen, even the dullest, she was unfailingly affable and vivacious. But whenever he tried to avail himself of her sparkling company, she turned suddenly waspish. Was she trying to show him what he'd missed by discouraging her interest when he'd first visited Madras? If so, she'd succeeded all too well.

Distracted by his constant thoughts of her, Blade played his cards so badly that his companions appeared relieved when he begged to withdraw from their game. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I could use a breath of sea air to blow the cobwebs from my brain.”

Spying Genia temporarily on her own, he approached her with a smile that had seldom failed to beguile its object. “Might I beg the honor of your company for a turn about the deck, Miss Vernon?”

A spark of irritation flashed in the lush, warm depths of her eyes. “I cannot prevent you from begging if you choose, sir. Indeed, it might be most amusing to observe. But I cannot promise you the answer you claim to desire. Have our recent encounters not persuaded you that my company might be more a trial than an honor?”

“Quite the contrary.” Blade lowered his voice to an intimate murmur. “They have only demonstrated that your abuse is far more diverting than the civilities of anyone else aboard. Take pity on my abject boredom, I beg you, and indulge me with brief stroll.”

“As you wish.” One corner of her full, wine-red lips arched. “But only because I am weary of making such effort to be agreeable to everyone. I shall relish the opportunity to be contrary or short-tempered if I choose. Let me go fetch my bonnet.”

Watching her walk away, Blade pictured her gown drenched with seawater, clinging to her body like a translucent second skin. Had that provocative glimpse of her fuelled his present combustible attraction? Or was he responding to the challenge she now represented? Whatever the reason, he found himself drawn to her far more intensely than when she'd pursued him.

A short while later, as they emerged onto the open deck, he offered her his arm.

“Such minor liberties are permissible at sea,” he explained. “For support, in case a lady should lose her footing on account of the ship's movement.”

Though she seemed dubious of his assurances, it did not prevent Genia from slipping her hand through the crook of his elbow. That innocent touch, together with the subtle whiff of jasmine that hung about her, roused Blade's desire in a way that was anything but innocent.

He could not help imagining what a playful, adventurous lover she might make.

They had not strolled far when a school of dolphins caught their attention, bounding along beside the ship, leaping out of the sea then plunging back in. For a while, Blade and Genia stood at the railing, laughing at the creatures’ antics and marveling at their speed, strength and grace.

“Intriguing creatures,” Blade mused as they resumed their stroll, “so free and full of life.”

“Shall I tell you what intrigues me?” asked Genia.

Though he sensed a slight threat in her question, it also piqued his curiosity. “By all means.”

“I am at a loss to understand why you are suddenly so attentive to me. When you first arrived in Madras, I would have been delighted by any sign of interest from you. But you scarcely spared me a second glance. I do not think I have improved so much in the meantime. Is this a measure of your present desperation or are you after me for the money I may inherit?”