"What in the devil do you think you are doing!" he cried.

So absorbed in the papers before him he had practically jumped out of his skin when the door flew unexpectedly open. Upon fully comprehending the scene before him he felt as if his heart was practically in his throat! What the devil was she playing at! It was near enough two in the morning! What in the world would possess the girl to barge uninvited into a gentleman's study, at any time of day, let alone the middle of the night?

Locking his eyes with hers, he felt vulnerable, which he knew was foolish. He was aware his waistcoat and cravat had been long discarded and his shirt lay open far too much at the neck to be decent. The sleeves of his shirt were pushed up exposing his dark-haired forearms which leaned upon the desk alongside a tumbler of neat whisky which had been keeping him company.

He stood up abruptly in an attempt to gain control over the situation. He felt uncharacteristically exposed and at a disadvantage whist still seated behind the large mahogany desk. He banged the palms of his hands against the desk, leaning forward as his anger began to build. She better explain herself promptly. How dare she put him in such a position, what if someone had seen her?

His mind began to frantically race as his temper rose. His inner voice, ever rational, telling him to simply storm past the girl and leave the room at once, yet leave he could not. She stood before him; her dark eyes bright in the glow from the fire. He took in her rich dark hair, lord it was so long, as it fell in silken waves across her left shoulder and breast. Her mouth was slightly parted, her lips generous and plump accompanied by warm flushed cheeks. Neither of them spoke.

Suddenly her eyes widened in panic as the reality of the situation she had placed herself began to sink in. She could practically feel the tension radiating from his person. This was in no way the outcome she had foolishly anticipated only moments before. This was real and in no way excusable; no amount of clever talk would get her out of this scenario. Goodness what had she done! Lord how could she have been so foolish! What must he think of her? She stood rooted to the spot, unable to move as she studied the man before her.

She had never seen a man in such a state of undress, with his shirt undone, hair dishevelled and no waistcoat in sight. His skin was darker than she had imagined. She could not take her eyes off the curly dark patch of hair that protruded most unruly from the opening of this shirt. With his palms firmly on the table she could see just how broad his shoulders truly were, the flex of his arm and the width of his chest. She had never realised how well-made a man he truly was, his daily attire somehow masking what was hidden beneath.

She felt a heat begin in the pit of her stomach, a sensation she could not place nor quite understand. She felt practically light headed, though for the first time in the last few hours had entirely sobered up. Unable to meet his fierce gaze a moment longer she cast her eyes down.

"You should not be in here," he all but growled at her. "What in the devil possessed you to come barging in here? You careless stupid girl. Did anyone see you?"

Not daring to meet his eyes she shook her head in reply.

"Did anyone see you," he demanded slamming one palm flat and hard against the desk. "I have put up with enough of your behaviour to know you are a selfish, ridiculous woman but I will not have you make a fool of me; did anyone see you?"

"No," she spoke softly. "There was no one." She finally lifted her chin so he could see her face once more. Her eyes had begun to glisten with the threat of tears.

"Oh no you silly girl, there will be no tears from you. Do you really think a well-timed display of crocodile tears will close this matter? These serpents slay men after all. Whatever possessed you?"

She bit her lip to gain control and force herself not to cry. She never cried for anyone; she was dammed if she would do it now. Oh, how was she to explain herself?

He watched her bite her bottom lip, watching the flesh pucker and swell as she pinched it. Despite himself he could not but help admire her mouth, her full lips, the curve of her jaw. He needed her to leave.

"I should not be here," she said meekly.

"A conclusion you have only just come to comprehend?" He mocked scathingly, letting out a low, long breath of exasperation. "I never had you pegged for an idiot Miss Bingley."

His tone and dismissive remark grated on her, sparking her usual temper. "Well how the devil was I to bloody know it would be you I would find!"

His mouth fell open, his eyes opening wide as the meaning of her words penetrated his thoughts. She had not come with him in mind. Suddenly his anger for her reckless, unsavoury behaviour turned to pure and utter rage at her blatant desire to be with another.

"Why on earth do you think I would enter Darcy's study if I had any inclination that it would be you whom I would find inside?" She scoffed, rolling her shoulders back and straightening her back to give herself as much stature as possible. "Why the devil would I want to be alone with you?"

"So, your intention was what exactly," he spoke harshly. "That Darcy would suddenly come over like a love-struck fool at the sight of you? You have never looked more pathetic than you do at this moment. Do you really believe Darcy has any interest in you? Look at you, flaunting yourself for a man who could not even care less if you were in his company. I have watched you; I have seen you with him and I am ashamed of you. You foolish reckless girl, do you not know what it would have meant for your reputation if someone had seen you sneaking around in the small hours? Have you no regard for anyone but yourself and even in that you are nothing but a saboteur."

This time her lip truly did tremble as her eyes began to swim with tears. How dare he speak to her in such a manner. What was it to him what she did or how she acted?

"It was but a mistake," she said coolly. "I forbid you to say a word of this to anyone. It was never you I sought."

"Oh yes you have made that fact abundantly clear." He sighed, running his hand through his hair. He stepped around the desk and looked at her. "Honestly Caroline, even for you, this game of what exactly? Cat and mouse? Entrapment? The man would never marry you, duty or not. Do not be so foolish to ruin yourself due to blind sighted ambition."

How dare he use her Christian name; heat rose once more in her chest. "How dare you presume to know me and my actions. And how dare you imply that Darcy cares for me not. I will have you know we are practically engaged. How dare you speak to me in such a manner. You know nothing!"

"I know nothing?" he laughed. "Practically engaged," he smirked. "Christ, I do not know whether to chastise you or to commend your acting skills. Delusion never sits well on a woman but somehow you make it all your own."

She stepped forward and without a moment's hesitation slapped her hand against his jaw.

He looked at her in surprise, though felt he should have foreseen her action. He ran his left hand along his jaw line. He had felt it, there had been force, but nothing that would cause him pain. Was it wrong he found her entirely breath-taking as she stood before her chest heaving and eyes alive with hate?

"Temper, temper Miss Bingley. We would not want that ever so prim and respectful so desired fiancé of yours to see such an unladylike display now, would we?" He grinned at her, enjoying the sheer and utter irritation written all over her face.

"You sir are no gentleman."

"And you my dear are no lady."

She moved forward once more, but this time he was better prepared. He took hold of her wrist firmly and pulled her body forward against his chest.

"I will allow it but once," he said in low voice, his head dipped near her ear. "Do not dare to ever strike me again for I cannot in all certainty assure my reaction."

She looked up at him. "Let go of me this instance. Take your hands off me or I shall scream."

He looked down at her with such intensity, she felt her stomach flip nervously. "You do just that. I am sure your brother and Mr Darcy would just love for me to explain how you came to me in the middle of the night, and dare I say smelling faintly of liqueur. Heaven help me, they would have us wed before I knew what was happening. You really have no idea the damage you could have done this evening."

"You are the most hateful man I have ever met," she said pulling away from him. She laughed cruelly. "Imagine me at the mercy of someone like you. A pompous, self-righteous solicitor no less, hired by my own foolish brother."

He pulled her wrist firmly, bringing her back against the length of him.

"I am not a solicitor you silly girl, I happen to be one of the most sought-after barristers in all of London."

"Do you really think I care one jot about..."

Before his rational sense got the better of him it happened, he simply could not help himself. Rather too forcibly, he bent his head and captured her mouth just as she opened it, ready with no doubt another insult for his person.

He felt her free hand beat against his chest momentarily before she clenched her fingers into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him down closer to her. He placed his free hand against the curve of her waist and pulled her into him till he could feel the swell of her chest against his own. Why did this woman make him lose all sense? Why was arguing with her one of the most stimulating experiences he had ever known? He felt her long dark hair graze against the back of his hand, sending a shiver up his spine. She was both maddening and wonderful.

Both her hands were now pawing at his shoulders, unsure where to roam. He could not help but wonder, by the heat of her response how many men had kissed her so. she was all surprises. He felt her moan against his lips and the blood rushed from his head into much more unmentionable areas. What was he doing! He pulled back from her suddenly, dropping her wrist and taking a step backward to relinquish all contact.

"You should not have come here tonight," he spoke hoarsely.

She looked at him rather stunned, her lips red and swollen, her eyes somewhat glazed. She took half a step towards him as their eyes met. Clearly, she would not have objected to being kissed again. Bloody temptress! Lord, what had he done? How could be let his desire for her beauty get the better of him. Yet it wasn't just her appearance, god help him. Fighting the temptation to pull her towards him once more, he took another step back.

"I said, you should not have come."

She gazed at him dumbstruck as her lips throbbed. She felt a heat within her chest that she has never experienced before. She looked at him wide eyed. She had never been kissed, and he had practically stolen it before she even knew what was happening. What was worse she had been thrilled by every second of it. She felt on fire. Yet now after taking advantage of her, she could see the regret in his eyes as he retreated further from her person.

Tears began to creep into the corner of her eyes for reasons she did not dare to question. She turned quickly, pulling the door open and left.