Page 7 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
Drat the man’s arrogance.
Surely Finn knew better than to ply his charm on her.
Regardless of his intentions, she could wiggle out of this. A simple “No” would do the trick. But as Macie felt their hostess’s gaze bore into her, as if willing her to utter the word that might free them from his presence, a fresh sense of rebellion reared itshead. Lady Drayton regarded Macie as a fortune in skirts. The prospect of Macie—and her father’s money—waltzing away in the arms of a very handsome rogue no doubt horrified the silver-haired paragon of society.
So much the better.
One dance.Whatever could be the harm in it? Perhaps, if she stepped just so, she might actually tread on this arrogant man’s toes. That might be just the thing to wipe the brash smile from his face.
Or then again, probably not. He was not likely to give her the satisfaction of seeing him grimace. But it might be amusing to try.
“You’re a brave one, aren’t you? Have you considered I might take another tumble?” she teased, if only to watch Lady Chastity’s mouth sag into a frown and Lady Drayton’s thin to a razor’s edge.
He hiked a brow. “If you fall, I shall catch ye.”
“I suppose you will. After all, you have already demonstrated that ability.”
“I consider it an unheralded talent.”
Offering him the slightest of smiles, Macie accepted his arm and accompanied him to the ballroom floor. “Lady Drayton is not fond of you. Be thankful the daggers in her eyes are not real.”
He flashed a grin as they made their way onto the polished dance floor. “I take it she’s scowling at me again.”
Macie glanced toward their hostess. “Oh, I’d say it has surpassed a scowl. If the woman possessed the ability to turn a man into a stone, you would be in a bit of trouble just about now.”
“Medusa had nothing on that silk-clad bag of bones.”
She laughed softly as they moved in time to the music. “I would say that’s an understatement. Did you truly think youcould charm your way into her good graces with that wicked smile of yours?”
“Not for a moment. I would have better luck riding an ill-tempered lioness. Bareback.”
“Indeed.” Macie suppressed a giggle. “Whatever did you do to the woman?”
Finn hesitated for an incriminating second, then another. “It wasn’t what I did toher.”
“Ah, I see.” Understanding dawned on Macie. “Or do I? Her niece made a match recently. To a baron, as I recall.”
“A match? More of a negotiation, really.” A sudden reflectiveness fell over his features. “Deandra was a pawn to her mother’s queen.”
“You cared for her?”
“Yes.” His hesitation accented the word. “But we were not lovers, if that’s what ye’re thinking.”
“Then why does Lady Drayton regard you as the devil’s spawn?”
“’Tis a long story. Suffice it to say that Lady Drayton was set on overseeing her niece’s path toward wedded bliss with arespectableman. As ye can imagine, she viewed me as an entirely unsuitable distraction.”
“I see.”
“Enough of that, Miss Mary Catherine Mason.” The tinge of reflectiveness in his eyes evaporated, replaced by a hint of a smile that rendered his emotions unreadable. “I’d rather talk about ye. I’m told ye’ve scandalized the elites of London.”
“Of London,” she agreed with a smile. “Of Cardiff. And possibly, of Edinburgh.”
“Ye always had the devil in yer eyes.” Finally, his smile was genuine.
“You’re a fine one to talk.” She returned his smile as they moved easily to the beat of the waltz. “Rumor has it you’ve been raising Cain on two continents.”
“Exaggeration.” He looked pleased with himself. “For the most part. And ye?”
