Page 14 of A Rogue for Christmas
One corner of his mouth lifted into a satisfied smile. He enjoyed the way her eyes narrowed in response. “I’ve always found that the best way to let someone know you’re thinking about them isn’t to ignore them.”
“And no doubt you’ve had plenty of experience when it comes to pursuing women.”
She tugged at her hand, but he didn’t release it. Couldn’t release it. Her words bothered him more than they should. Not because they weren’t true—all the ton knew that they were. But because she thought that she was just one of many when she stood far above any woman he’d ever been with.
A slight frown creased her brow, but she stilled and waited for him to speak.
“You are not just another woman I’m pursuing.”
She let out a soft laugh, and this time when she tugged at her hand, he released it. “I’m sure you’ve told every woman you’ve been with the same thing.”
“No, Iris. I’ve never uttered those words.”
She lifted one shoulder. “Perhaps not those words exactly—”
“No.”
“But in some other way, you’ve made them feel special, as though you saw only them.”
She was starting to turn away. He reached for her and she stopped. Several seconds of tense silence passed, and then she lifted her gaze to his again.
He didn’t release her. He liked the feel of his hand on her waist, and she didn’t press the matter. From the way her pupils had dilated, he knew that she liked it as well.
“I’ve never said anything remotely similar to another woman. And I was careful to avoid anyone who might want more than a casual encounter.”
That crease between her brows was back again. “But I want to marry one day. I want what Lily and Celia have.”
“Yes, I know. Which is why I tried to forget you after that encounter.”
She looked away. “I passed that woman on the path, the one you were meeting. And I stopped to see what would happen. I saw the way she threw herself into your arms.”
Her voice was small, and he hated hearing it, hated seeing the way she was drawing in on herself. As if she was doubting that she’d ever be able to hold his attention.
Before that meeting, he would have said she was correct.
“But you didn’t stay.”
She shook her head. “I’d seen enough. I had no desire to witness whatever was going to happen next.”
He caressed her chin with the thumb of his other hand, watching the way she shivered at his touch. He had no intention of allowing Iris to leave until they’d finished this conversation.
“Look at me.”
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, then straightened to her full height and turned to look at him. He was cupping her chin now.
“I pried her away from me and sent her home. Alone.”
Her eyes widened. “I don’t understand. You were there to meet with her.”
“Yes, but then I ran across another woman who was on the verge of making the biggest mistake of her life.”
She grasped his wrist but didn’t pull his hand away. “I don’t understand. I was already gone. I offered no impediment to your tryst.”
“No, but you were in my thoughts. I couldn’t be with that woman when all I wanted to do was chase after you and drag you back into the gardens with me.”
He held her stare, willing her to see the truth of his words. “I tried to forget you, but it seems that I don’t want anyone but you.”
She didn’t take that as a compliment, proving once again that Iris was wise beyond her years. “For how long, my lord? Surely not forever.”
