Page 5 of Escaping the Earl
“Thank you.” She placed her palm in his, and a spark of something shot between them.
He led her onto the dance floor, never more thankful that Lady Germain had forgone dance cards to allow for people to dance with whomever they wished, and to maintain some mystery with their masks.
He swept the woman into his arms as the musicians began a waltz. He didn’t worry about the steps as he guided her across the floor.
“You dance beautifully,” she said as they moved as one.
“As do you, my lady.” He sought her eyes, and she looked away as though shy. Such a contrast to the bold woman who had arrived through the door unannounced.
Who could she be? A clever debutante, a widowed woman, a spinster seeking a night of excitement? Whoever she was, she had set fire to the imaginations of everyone in the ballroom tonight, himself included. He’d never been a romantic man, but something about this woman left him with dreams of gardens and dances at midnight through the roses and wisteria.
“Will you tell me your name?” he asked.
“I thought it was supposed to be a mystery,” she remarked with a melancholy smile.
He recognized in her a kindred spirit. Whoever she was, she wished to be left alone by the world, and tonight would be her only escape. A sudden fear that she would vanish in his arms like mist the moment the dance ended set him on edge.
“You’ll stay for another dance?” he asked as they twirled past a crowd of young women who looked on in envy. “Or will you vanish, my fae queen?”
“I may do either,” she laughed. “What can you offer me to stay, dear mortal? Tempt me,” she commanded in a soft, enchanting voice.
“Let me see... I could entertain you with jokes. Or perhaps riddles? A walk in the gardens?” He would have offered her everything he had to give, even his heart. But this was merely madness born of infatuation, that was all. Love at first sight was nonsense. It was a story told to debutantes before they faced their first balls. It did not exist for a thirty-year-old gentleman.
“A walk in the gardens... and perhaps a riddle or two?”
“Done, my lady.”
Peregrine escorted her off the dance floor as the waltz ended. It seemed as though everyone was still watching them.
“Heavens, we are being watched most diligently, aren’t we?” she mused.
“Yes, it’s rather irritating. Give me a moment.” He studied the various exits. “Come, let us fetch some ratafia and make our escape out the doors just beyond the refreshment tables.”
They retrieved the drinks and began to move slowly backward toward the open terrace doors.
“Almost there,” Peregrine murmured as they stood on the threshold. “No sudden moves now...” The fall breeze came through the white curtains which had been pulled back to the edges of the doors.
The woman took another sip of her drink. “On three?”
He nodded. “One... two...three.” And they plunged swiftly out onto the terrace together.
He pulled her down the steps that led to the gardens. “Come, this way.” They set their glasses on the terrace railing as they left. She laughed as she picked up her skirts with her free hand and followed him. They sprinted across the perfectly manicured lawn and vanished into the tall hedges. Only when the house was no longer visible did they stop.
“I believe we are quite safe to enjoy our walk in peace.” Peregrine tucked her arm in his. “Now, I believe I promised you a riddle, did I not?”
“You did.”
Rather enjoying himself, he tapped his chin. “What walks on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three at night?”
She grinned. “I asked for a riddle, not a history lesson. If I remember correctly, that is the riddle of the Sphinx fromOedipus Rex... and the answer isman. As an infant, he crawls on all fours, as an adult he walks on two legs, and when he is old, he uses a walking stick.”
“Ah, I forgot I was matching wits with an ancient fae. Very well... What of this one?” Then he recited a poem:
As I was going to St. Ives,
Upon the road I met seven wives,
Each wife had seven sacks,
