Page 4 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
Farewell, dignity. The words flitted through Macie’s thoughts, as if to taunt her.
Suddenly, powerful hands caught her from behind. Stopped her descent. Long fingers gripped the underside of her arms. She dangled in her unseen hero’s hold, her bottom precariously close to the marble floor.
Gazing up, she met the eyes of the man who was at that moment the only thing between her and a rather ugly sprawl. If this were a gothic novel, she would gaze adoringly at her hero.
But this wasnota novel. And this man most definitely wasnother hero.
This is not happening.But it was. At the moment she’d kicked her foot up into the air like the world’s dowdiest can-can dancer, she’d believed the night could not get any worse.
She had been mistaken. Quite so.
She knew those oh-so-familiar amber eyes. She knew the strands of caramel in his brown hair. Once, she had even brushed back the appealing lock that rebelled against his attempts to rein it into place. And above all, she knew that oh-so-arrogant smile.
Phineas Caldwell.
Of all the men in the ballroom who might have broken her fall, why did it have to be Finn?Dash the infernal luck!
Chapter Two
“Miss Mason, Ipresume.”
Finn Caldwell stared down at the chestnut-haired woman he’d caught mid-tumble. The beauty who had draped her curves in a muck-colored travesty of a gown was indeed Mary Catherine Mason. He had not seen his friend’s sister in nearly a decade, but there was no mistaking those big green eyes of hers. In those days, she’d been a reed-thin girl with a seemingly ever-present book in her hand. Now, she’d grown into her long legs and willowy neck. Macie was a true diamond of the first water. No dress, no matter how hideous, could disguisethat.
Recognition flared on her face. So, she did remember him.
After what seemed a lifetime.
“Yes, I am. Now that we’ve settled that, would you be so kind as to assist me in regaining my footing?” she requested coolly, then added through gritted teeth. “Please.”
“As ye wish.” With that, he hoisted her none too gently to her feet and steadied her as she regained her balance. Had he gone mad, or was the frown on her plump lips appealing? Though he knew better, he could not resist teasing her. “Perhaps ye should go lighter on the punch.”
Her eyes flashed, propelling an invisible dagger his way. “I have not imbibed a single drop this evening.” She glanced at the wine puddled on the marble. “Evidently, the spill did not end up solely on Lady Sylvie’s gown.” Her frown softened. “I suppose I must thank you despite your horrid insinuation.”
“I’d agree a bit of gratitude would be in order,” Finn replied smoothly. “As for my insinuation, ye would not be the first to indulge a bit too much when away from her father’s watchful eye.”
“Mr. Caldwell, I must thank you for your assistance. It’s quite fortunate that you were here,” Lady Drayton spoke up, the taut set of her features contradicting her words.
“Think nothing of it. As a gentleman, I certainly would not allow a lady to take a nasty tumble.”
“Of course. That goes without saying,” Lady Drayton agreed coolly, even as her lifted brows betrayed her as he’d uttered the wordgentleman.“I must confess, I had not expected you to join us tonight.”
“Neither had I.”
Not until he’d learned his old friend Jon Mason would be in attendance with his wedding-ring-averse sister in tow. Talk of the minor scandals Macie had cooked up to deter suitors—mild as they were, at least to his ears—had infiltrated even his club. He simply had to see for himself. So he’d invited himself to their dragon lady of a hostess’s ball.
Lady Drayton’s attention darted from him to a buxom redhead who was at that moment cutting a path through the crowd toward them. Lady Chastity Delacroix. Her doting husband was nowhere in sight. Had the old coot fallen asleep over his vermouth—again?
Lady Chastity’s eyes glimmered with excitement as she met his gaze. Politely, she nodded to their hostess. “Lady Drayton.”
“Good evening, Lady Chastity. It has been far too long,” Lady Drayton precisely enunciated her name even as the frost in her tone contradicted her words.
“It is my pleasure.” Lady Chastity’s attention darted back to Finn. “One never knows who will appear on your guest list.”
Lady Drayton did not even feign a smile. “Sometimes, even I don’t know who has received an invitation.”
“Good evening, Mr. Caldwell,” Lady Chastity said, her ample assets threatening to spill over the low-cut bodice of her elegant blue gown.
“Where might I find your husband tonight? Now’s as good a time as any to settle our recent wager.” Finn kept his expression cool. He had no interest in providing the earl’s wife a distraction from the boor she’d wed.
