Page 2 of A Rogue for Christmas
“You need to stay away from the gardens at night. They’re frequented by rogues and ne’er-do-wells.”
She lifted her chin, which somehow, despite the fact that he was at least a foot taller than her, had the effect of making it appear as though she were looking down at him. “Perhaps that was what I was seeking? Someone who wasn’t tame.”
He was fairly certain her demeanor was a show of bravado. Clearly Miss Rowland needed someone to shake her out of her complacency. To show her that the world wasn’t a safe place for gently bred young women.
He moved closer, aware of the way she drew him to her like a magnet. Normally he’d be putting as much space as possible between himself and someone who was fresh on the marriage mart.
“Are you looking for danger, Miss Rowland?”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “You know who I am?”
He held her gaze. “I make it a point to learn the identities of beautiful young women.”
Her head tilted to one side as she examined him. “I can’t decide whether that’s a genuine compliment or just something you say to all women.”
He shrugged. “There are enough beautiful women in London that I don’t need to lie to the ones who aren’t.”
She winced. “It’s lowering to know that I’m just one of many.”
He needed to step away from her. Instead, he moved closer and cupped her chin loosely. A surprising zing of attraction zipped up his arm. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this intrigued by a woman.
“There is nothing ordinary about you.”
Heat flooded her cheeks again. “Thank you.”
He dropped his hand, but he didn’t step away. He couldn’t. “Who were you expecting, Iris?”
“Perhaps I was hoping that the infamous Lord Wentworth would see me slip away and follow me out here?”
He laughed, charmed despite himself by her bravado. “You’re playing a dangerous game. What if I told you that was exactly what had happened? That I’d followed you out here, and now I want nothing more than to kiss you senseless.”
She shied away then and took a step back. “Mr. Tobias Miller has been courting me. He told me that he wanted us to spend a few minutes alone together. I thought that perhaps he wanted to take our courtship further.”
A haze of unexpected anger settled over him. He knew exactly what Miller wanted from Iris, and it wasn’t to propose marriage. He kept his gaze focused on her, knowing that his next words would reveal the real reason behind Iris’s foray into these gardens.
“I was at White’s this morning. Miller was bragging about how he’d just offered for Miss Bennington and that his suit had been accepted.”
All color drained from Iris’s face. “I didn’t know.” She looked away, no doubt coming to the realization that Miller’s proposal had not been the innocent one she’d expected.
“Do you care for him?” He had the irrational urge to find Miller and punch him.
She sighed, and he felt his heart constrict. He ignored the feeling. He didn’t have a heart.
“No, which was why I decided to meet him here. I was going to tell him that it was probably best if he ceased his courtship.” Her lips twisted in a wry grimace. “I thought that I was allowing myself to be unreasonable in my expectations, but there was something about him that set my teeth on edge. He seemed a littletoosolicitous.”
Her response shouldn’t have brought about the surge of relief flowing through him. “He’s a bounder of the worst sort. A young woman like yourself doesn’t expect to be led astray and taken advantage of.”
“I was foolish coming out here. You’re correct. I should go.”
She started to move past him, but he’d caught the way her body shrank with shame. Anger surged through him that anyone would try to make this woman feel worthless. “I can call him out.”
She froze, shocked at his statement. His outburst had surprised him as well.
She turned to face him and shook her head, those careful blond curls dancing about her face. He wondered what her hair would look like when she took it down that night before sliding under her covers. Would she let the mass tumble across the bedsheets, or would she carefully plait the strands to avoid tangles?
After staring at him for several seconds, she shook her head. “I don’t know you. What would people say when word got out? People always whisper. Our names would be linked, and everyone would wonder…” She took a deep breath, and he was impressed by the way she took control over her obvious panic. “Thank you for the offer, my lord, but I think it best if I just return to the ballroom now.”
He inclined his head. “Perhaps that would be best.”
