Page 5 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

He shook his head, thinking he may have gotten the kelpie tale mixed up with that of a siren or a mermaid. It didn’t matter. She obviously had legs for they were exposed and he took note of her small, stockinged feet.

For a fraction of a moment Reese wondered if this was yet another trap to compromise him into marriage, but if it were, it was surely a dire one.

Belle whined again and licked the woman’s fingers. The woman groaned softly, which allowed Reese to let loose the breath he’d been holding. He’d not wanted to touch her for fear she were dead. He’d been unfortunate to find one of their agents after his death, and the memory of the man’s cold skin still haunted him.

The woman moaned a little louder as Reese knelt beside her. She was on her back with the weight of her hair covering her face. He thought she might be better able to breathe if he got the mass of inky tendrils out of the way. Pushing it back from her face, his breath caught when he stared down at her. She was beautiful. Possibly the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Even in this state with her hair hanging in clumps and her skin pale and chilled.

He didn’t think he’d ever seen her before and looking at her clothing told him nothing, for she wore only a cotton shift. Despite its sturdy weight, it was wet and clung to every curve of her body. Curves he, as a gentleman, should not be looking at.

Turning his gaze back to her face, he caught Belle licking the poor woman in the same way she often woke him.

“Belle, nay.” He pushed the dog back but she only circled round to the other side to continue her overeager welcome.

The woman’s eyes fluttered open, and he was stunned by how green they were.

“Help,” she said.

“Aye, of course. Belle, stop licking the poor woman. This is Belle, she’s not a danger, just a menace. I’m Reese.”

The woman nodded slightly as if she understood what he’d said, and then she leaned over and retched all over his second-best boots.