Page 25 of The Dangerous Love of a Rogue
The only member of his family who had not broken their marriage vows was Caro. However, her husband, the Earl, frequently did. Kilbride had a violent streak too, which poor Caro constantly lived in fear of.
Caro was the only member of his family Drew felt close to.
Drew turned his sneer on Harry.
‘I take it you will not then,’ Peter quipped.
Drew looked at his best friend. ‘Definitely not.’
The others laughed.
A footman appeared with a tray bearing Drew’s brandy. Drew took his drink, and sensing something, looked to the room. His eldest brother was now looking at Drew.
Drew lifted his glass, in a mocking salute, his teeth grinding. His whole body was in a state of restlessness as he waited for each minute to pass until he would meet Miss Marlow tomorrow evening.
* * *
Mary hurried along the garden path on light feet, nervous that the lichen on the paving may stain her satin slippers. They were made for dancing not walking through gardens.
She had left at the commencement of a set of six dances, which were to be danced with one partner, hoping her family would think she was dancing and not notice her absence. They were engaged in conversation, not looking about the room.
Her hosts had not intended that people stroll in the garden; there were no lanterns lighting the way. But the moon did its best to break through the clouds, its light shining through the shrubbery that arched above her, creating variated patches of light.
The path turned a corner and faced the glasshouse. There he was, at the end of the path. A gap in the clouds meant the moon shone all its light on him. Etching his figure in light and shade. He looked a little menacing in the darkness, she ought to be afraid. She only knew him by reputation and that was bad. Yet she had never felt so pulled towards someone, and her instincts about people had always been right in the past.
‘Miss Marlow.’ He stepped forward.
Her heart skipped and her stomach spun like a top. She had no appetite since she had last seen him and her thoughts had danced reels preventing sleep.
She had to end this. But she wanted to be alone with him one last time.
His lips lifted into a smile when she reached him. His hand rose and his fingertips touched her cheek. He had removed his gloves. ‘I was not sure you would come. You’ve barely given me a glance this evening.’
She smiled too but removed his hand from her face. It left her holding his hand. He glanced down and laced their fingers.
‘I did not want my family to suspect anything. I am in the mire for speaking to you in the park.’
His other hand rose to the back of her neck as his head bowed and he twisted her arm behind her back with their joined hands so her body arched forwards as his lips pressed against her. The kiss was beautiful. She was short of breath when it ended.
He was short of breath too.
His dark eyes held her gaze. ‘We should go inside in case someone walks this way.’
She had forgotten the risk. ‘Yes.’
With their hands still joined, he led her into the large glasshouse and closed the door. If she believed John, Lord Framlington thought nothing of her; he only cared for her money. Yet, the gentle hold on her hand claimed her. It said he treasured her, that this was not a meaningless liaison.
Orange, lemon and lime trees in terracotta pots lined the pathways, and the scent of warm earth merged with the floral aroma of citrus blossoms.
He turned and faced her. Moonlight reached through the glass and painted him in silver. His smile shone in his eyes. He stepped back a pace, then another, pulling her with him, leading her deeper into the glasshouse. ‘Has the exemplar Miss Marlow fallen from her pedestal?’ he said, teasing.
‘Perhaps a certain lord has pulled her from it.’
His smile broadened. ‘I am sure it was deadly dull on it.’
Yes. It was. And lonely at times. Perhaps she’d been ripe for his temptation. She could not justify feeling lonely in a large loving family but she had no space to be an individual, to discover who she was without them. Sometimes she felt like a marionette puppet, dressed up to perform at parties.
She looked beyond him, not voicing her disloyal thoughts.
