He was not totally naked, she realized with relief. A tartan plaid lay strategically draped across his narrow hips. Below the cloth stretched long, powerful bare legs built of well-honed muscle and dusted with hair. Sinewed and hard, he gave an unmistakable impression of raw strength.
The shock of it, the absolute beauty of him, was a jolt to her senses.
“Did no one ever tell you it is impolite to stare, mistress?”
Sabrina’s cheeks heated with bright color, and it was all she could do to stand her ground instead of turning tail. Niall McLaren’s near nakedness was distinctly unnerving—and the libertine knew it full well, to judge by the dancing light in his blue eyes.
“How may I be of service, mistress?” he queried, his gaze amused and knowing.
“I came to…pay you a visit,” she replied unevenly, trying to marshal her scattered wits.
“So I see.”
“Did you not receive my message asking you to call?”
“I regret I was engaged and was unable to spare the time.”
“So I see,” Sabrina echoed tartly, glancing pointedly at his disheveled state.
Niall shrugged his bare shoulders as he casually tugged up the plaid to cover his worst bruising. “You do have the most annoying habit of showing up when you are least wanted, mistress.”
She met his bold gaze impatiently. “I had no intention of interrupting your pleasures. But I hoped you might spare five minutes of your precious time.”
“I can manage five minutes,” Niall observed with a wicked slant to his lips. “I am entirely at your service, mistress. You command my undivided attention.”
Oh, but he was bold, Sabrina thought with grudging admiration. The villain was laughing at her. She could see the devilment in his eyes.
He appeared even more treacherously handsome than she recalled. His raven hair tumbled around his face, accenting the ruggedly sculpted planes and angles and the dazzling blue eyes framed by thick black lashes. Her woman’s heart beat faster just looking at him. She found herself staring at that beautifully shaped, sensually curved mouth and the burning smile that twisted into a mocking curve.
She almost turned and walked away. But she had vowed to face this situation head-on. She refused to continue suffering the state of uncertainty she’d endured for the past three days. She wanted matters settled between them. “I wonder if you would deign to consider putting on some clothing.”
“Why? Do you dislike the sight of a naked man?”
Sabrina opened her mouth to reply and then snapped it shut. That was not a question a lady answered.
“Or perhaps you are merely faint of heart,” the rogue had the audacity to add.
“I am not faint-hearted—”
“Then why do you remain standing in the doorway?”
A scarlet blush rose high and bright in her cheeks. Stiffly Sabrina stepped into the room, but she was careful to leave the door ajar.
She froze suddenly when, with a languid movement of his body, Niall stretched his powerful arms overhead, making the muscles in his bare chest and torso ripple and flex.
He grimaced slightly, then laughed at her apprehensive expression, showing white flashing teeth. “Welcome to my den of iniquity, Mistress Duncan.”
The infuriating gleam made her scowl—but at least it helped her regain some of her composure. “I don’t particularly find this a subject for levity, my lord!”
“That is quite apparent.”
“I suppose it is in keeping with your dissipated reputation, receiving a lady in a complete state of undress.”
“Ah…now resumes your continued assault on my character.”
“In the unelevated circles in which I was raised, taking advantage of serving maids is considered indicative of a lack of character.”
Niall shook his head in feigned hurt. “Why are you always so swift to accuse me of taking advantage of the gentler sex?”