Page 31 of Teach a Rogue New Tricks
She yanked him back around. “Stay.” She used that tone of voice that brooked no disagreement.
He stayed, clasping his hands behind his back and studying her from above. Not too far above. His nose could tap her forehead if he leaned forward a tiny bit and pecked her like a chicken.
“Say, what is your name? Your Christian name?” he asked.
Her steps faltered, then she flashed him a wary look. What a question to ask so out of the blue. And it made her belly flutter oddly. “You do not know it? From Lola?”
He shook his head.
The butterflies fluttering in her belly carried words up and out of her mouth. “Ada. And yours?”
“Cassius. Cass.” He peered at her, not a single emotion in his face. “Ada.” She liked the way he rolled her name about his mouth, as if it were a melody. “Ada, Ada.” He stopped and pulled her to stand next to him. “I truly cannot meet your family. I would be compelled to give my true name, and you know where that might lead.”
“Exile. So you say.” She sighed. “I suppose I cannot force you.”
“You cannot. But I’ll hover about nearby.”
Her heartbeat escalated until it beat strong and distracting in her ears. “Why?”
“As I said, I wished to help you to an adventure. Tell me… does it excite you to have a man watching you from the shadows?”
She cringed. “It makes me feel… awkward.” But her skin also tingled, and those butterflies once more took wing.
He barked a laugh. “I’ll not watch you then. I’ll… hide. And you’ll find me.”
“You wish to play hide-and-seek? A child’s game.”
“Yes. If you find me, I’ll give you a secret.”
“A secret?” Like the ones she’d requested in their letters, full of sin and things no unmarried lady should speak of? She swallowed the dust in her throat. “What use have I for those? But I’ll play your game. If you agree to play mine.”
His mouth and face did not move, but a new emotion stole over his features anyway. Without a single flick of muscle, he took on the haughty look of victory. Regal, infuriating. “And that is?”
She would have her own victory, so she gave him her own private smile, the one she used when she felt most pleased. “While you hide, you practice.”
His regal posture melted, and his victory-shaped face shattered, replaced with narrow-eyed suspicion. “Practice what exactly?”
“Being a well-behaved gentleman. Practice being polite to all you meet. No cursing. Only gentlemanly language, language that you could use even around a small child.”
“No cursing? Damn. It’s a tall order, Miss Ada Cavendish.”
“I can see that. But if you wish me to search for you, you’ll try your best.” She almost reached out to pat his cheek, but balled her hand into a fist instead, tightening her arm to her side so it could not give in to impulse.
He leaned close enough to whisper in her ear. “As you wish.”
She shivered with a quick inhalation.
He returned to his full height with a devilish grin. “My roguish ways are at least good for something.”
“Other than shocking and giving insult?” She glared then studied her gloves, as if she did not care for their conversation. But truly, she found herself needing to know what he would say next.
He ran a finger down her cheek. “I find they are best used for pleasing pretty country girls who are much in need of excitement.”
She licked her lips and turned from him, quelling the insects in her belly. “The tigers are excitement enough. Now, be good!” She sauntered off, not daring to look back at him.
“I will,” he called out. “As long as you come and find me.” Lord Albee stepped to the side and slid into the shadows.
Was he a ghost as well as a rogue? The man seemed to dissolve. She giggled. Then caught herself giggling. How long had it been since she’d done such a girlish thing?
