Page 12 of The Rake I Wished For
“Ladies,” Madame Bellafonte’s voice called from the hallway. “Mister Harlow is here to collect you.”
Jane shot her one last warning look that Jocelyn ignored as they swept out into the hallway. Jane’s parents and Jocelyn’s brother were friends with the host and hostess of tonight’s dinner party, and this was one of few opportunities Jocelyn had to make her move.
It was either this or sneak out of the school, and she knew quite well that was far too bold a risk, even for her.
Jane linked arms with Jocelyn and together they walked down the winding steps to the entry where Harlow waited to escort them. He turned and glanced up and his dark gaze met Jocelyn’s.
The look there was so fierce, so filled with emotions she knew not how to name, Jocelyn actually stumbled on the steps and nearly tripped over her own gown.
Jane steadied her, thankfully, but her friend’s murmured commentary didn’t help her composure when she said softly. “He loves nothing more than a good laugh, you say? Jocelyn, dear, this man doesnotlook amused.”
Jocelyn swallowed hard as his gaze took her in from head to toe, finally meeting hers again with an intensity that frightened her.
Jane was right.
Harlow did not seem amused, like he typically did.
He didn’t look amused in the least.
CHAPTERFOUR
Harlow watchedhis ward like a hawk.
How could he not when the silly little chit was dead set on ruining herself? And onhiswatch?
Fortunately for Harlow, it was easy to keep Jocelyn in view. First, her tall, slender frame seemed to naturally set itself apart. Then there was the fact that her fair skin seemed to glow in the candlelight in the Sawyers’ parlor.
And, of course, her pale green gown was too fetching by far, highlighting her every asset as if she were trying to catch the eye of every gentleman in England.
Which, perhaps, she was.
So, if by some chance, she managed to slip from his view for more than a moment, all he needed to do was look to the nearest young man, and follow his gaze, which was inevitably fixed on Jocelyn.
“...and that’s what I told my husband!” The woman beside Harlow burst into laughter, as did the small crowd around him.
Harlow couldn’t so much as muster a smile as he watched Jocelyn make her excuses to the baroness standing beside her, and ever so slowly head toward the open French doors leading to the veranda.
“Will you excuse me,” he murmured before he followed her.
He swallowed a curse when his path was suddenly blocked by the host himself, General Jacob Sawyer, a man who’d been a friend to Harlow and his family since he was a youth.
And so Harlow did his best to return the man’s smile and easy greeting, all the while shifting toward the open doors, his heart rate tripling with every second that passed.
He’d seen her earlier, talking to that captain whose reputation with the ladies was so scandalous even Harlow had heard warnings about him. There was no way Jocelyn wasn’t aware of the captain’s sordid reputation as well.
If Jocelyn thought for one moment that he’d just stand by idly while she put her future at risk…
“If you’ll excuse me, General,” he said at the first opportunity. And then he walked away, straight toward the open doors.
The heat was stifling so there were more than a few couples out on the veranda, but it didn’t take him long to find Jocelyn, all but hidden on the edge of the veranda that bordered the garden, a few more steps to her left and she’d be utterly shielded from view. It was the perfect spot for a stolen moment, a private interlude…
No doubt that was her plan.
For a moment he stopped and stared, struck by the sight of her. She was stunning in candlelight, but standing alone in the moonlight, her head tipped back slightly as she gazed at the stars…
Harlow’s throat felt too tight and he tugged at his cravat.
Blast. He was experienced enough to know what this feeling was. He’d been attracted to scores of women in his lifetime. But he wasn’t supposed to see Jocelyn that way.
