Page 16 of The Rakehell's Seduction
Alex blanched. “No! Of course I didn’t. Why would you say that?”
Her friend’s cheeks pinkened. “Oh, Alex, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it, I just thought after last night’s dance…you and he seemed so…Well, it seems he escaped Mr. Merryweather’s cows…” Perdita didn’t finish. Her eyes were focused on something behind Alex.
Alex turned her head in the direction of her friend’s attention. There was a group of men near a fountain at the center of the garden. Ambrose had just arrived, and when he saw her, he smiled at her. The expression was predatory, but rather than scaring her, it made her skin flush and her body tingle in secret places.
After a moment of them simply staring at each other, he made his way to the group of men, which included her father. He was clapped on the back and welcomed amongst the men. He immediately settled into their set and raised one booted foot on the edge of the fountain, and he was leaning in, one forearm braced on his raised knee. He started speaking, and from what Alex could see the men of Lothbrook were listening avidly, her father included.
Alex sighed and turned back to Perdita. “We did see each other last night.”
Perdita’s gaze whipped back to her. “But you said…”
“We only talked. He found me in the kitchen, eating my post-ball tart.”
“You talked?” Perdita chuckled. “What do rakes talk about?”
“Apparently their sisters.” Alex couldn’t suppress a grin at the memory.
“Mr. Worthing has a sister?” Perdita perked up this news, and it made Alex admit how much she would miss Perdita. She would be leaving for London in a few weeks because her mother was determined to take her to some dinner parties and balls in hopes of snaring a desperate impoverished aristocrat. Perdita’s father was only a baron, and her mother was in a constant quest for a higher title.
“Yes, Violet sounds like quite a dear. Apparently she’s living with an aunt who’s obsessed with fashion.”
“It’s a pity you could not invite her here. That would certainly be one way to kill his ardor. Surely he wouldn’t seduce you while his sister is here.”
“Seduce me? Perdita, he’s not going to do that.”
Perdita’s brows rose, but neither of them spoke as two ladies came over to the tea tables to retrieve some sandwiches. Alex and her friend sipped their tea, nodded at the other ladies, and murmured polite hellos. Once the ladies had moved along, Perdita leaned in close to Alex.
“Mr. Worthing’s reaction to you last night says otherwise. He looked like he wanted to eat you likeyouwere the delicious tart.”
“Perdy!” Alex burst out laughing.
The men near the fountain turned their way, curious to see what had caused her to burst out in such loud amusement. Ambrose’s brown eyes were warm and dark as they settled on her. Something equally warm and dark stirred in Alex. His gaze promised heady kisses, roving hands, and passionate domination.
“You’re blushing, dear,” Perdita whispered around her cup of tea.
Alex blinked and ducked her head. The men around Ambrose broke apart, and he headed their way.
“Should we ask him about Mr. Merryweather’s cows?” Perdita whispered through giggles.
“Oh hush!” Alex bit her lip to keep from snickering. That would be most unladylike, even though she felt quite compelled to jump with glee.
“Ladies.” Ambrose inclined his head.
“Mr. Worthing.” Perdita rose and glanced at Alex. “Anyone need more tea?” she offered.
Alex and Ambrose both shook their heads.
The second Perdita had walked away to the farthest tea table, leaving them alone, Ambrose held out a hand to Alex.
“Walk with me?”
It was a terrible idea, she knew it, but she couldn’t help it. She placed her hand in his, allowing him to draw her up. He tucked her arm in his, the action drawing them close, the intimacy of it heating her inside.
“I’m simply dying to know what you and Miss Darby were laughing about.” Ambrose led her through the meandering rows of rose bushes and toward a distant archway that led away from the gardens.
“We weren’t talking about you, if that’s what you believe.” Alex’s tone was slightly defensive, but that was because she felt quite guilty that they had been doing just that.
“Actually, I do believe that.”
