Taming Wilde (Waltzing with the Wallflower #3)(13)

“I believe you promised me this dance,” Colin said, smoothly taking her arm within his own.

“You remembered.” She winked. Devil take him! When had she ever winked? Or shown any outward sign of emotion in a large group?

“That I did.” Colin chuckled. “Oh, apologies, Ainsworth, I did not see you there. Must be that dreadful jacket, almost blends into the wall. Tell me, are you part of the decorations for this evening?”

The man glared.

Colin grinned. “Well then, that answers that. A good evening to you.” His grip was probably a bit tight for Gemma’s hand, but his irritation made it so. “What the devil do you think you are doing? You cannot seduce that man! He is not even a rake!”

Was he yelling?

Gemma grinned and fell into step with him as they danced. “Odd, he seemed perfectly rakish to me. What did you find lacking?”

Colin cursed and looked away. “Everything about him is disagreeable. The man cannot even dress! He should fire his valet, and he was eyeing you as if you were his dessert.”

“Perhaps I wish to be dessert.”

Colin growled. “At the rate you’re going, I doubt you’ll make it through the dance without me strangling you.”

“Is that so?” She tilted her head and exhaled, her breath so near his neck that chills ran down his spine.

“Y-yes,” he said hoarsely, then forced his eyes away from hers. “You must quit this foolishness about wanting to seduce a rake. It will not happen. You are too…”

Blast him. He was going to hurt her feelings again.

“Too what?” She purred.

When had her voice become so low? So feminine?

“Innocent,” he snapped. “It will never work.”

“Every woman begins that way.” She chewed her lower lip and looked straight into his soul with her piercing blue eyes. “So you do not think my little ploy will work? I lack the ability to seduce any type of rake?”

“Absolutely.” Though he doubted it the minute he said it. The woman could seduce a priest if she so desired.

“Very well. I shall simply have to strive harder.” Her nails dug into the flesh of his back as she drew closer to him. “After all, don’t they say that practice makes perfect?”

His breathing became labored as he watched her lick her lips. Wasn’t he supposed to hate her? After all, he was attempting to turn over a new leaf just as Gemma was. But he could not pull away from her, not even if he desired it. He wanted to press her against the wall, to kiss that soft mouth and dip his hands into that thick red hair. Her pupils dilated, and he pulled her closer.

“You may practice all you want, my dear, but you shall fail.”

He had to say something before he ruined her, before he made a fool of himself and was rejected for a second time.

“We shall see.” She pulled away from him just as the music ended. Colin suddenly had the sinking feeling that it was he who was in over his head.

****



Gemma didn’t realize she was holding her breath until she exited the ballroom and nearly ran Bridget down in the corridor.

“Gemma, you’re positively blue. Please breathe!” her friend commanded, taking her elbow in a firm hand.

A sudden blast of hot breath escaped through Gemma’s pursed lips.

“Do you think it worked?”

“I don’t know that I can be certain,” Bridget said, thoughtfully tapping a finger on her own lips. She turned to a shadowy figure behind her. “What do you think?”

Lord Maddox stepped out of the darkened alcove into the flickering candlelight of the corridor. He grimaced as though in excruciating pain.

“What do I think…” he muttered. “I think I’m going straight to Hell.”

Bridget rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Ever the dramatic one. Of course you are hell-bound, you scoundrel. But the question is, will Wilde be joining you there, or does he still possess some redeeming quality in spite of your incorrigible influences?”

“Incorrigible influences! I’ll have you know I have been a pillar of support to that fellow since we were in knickers.”

With a raised eyebrow, Bridget stared him down.

“Very well. What is it I must do?”

Gemma loved to watch their interaction. Their playful banter did nothing to disguise how they adored one another. In their eyes there was a spark of hope for Gemma, that she might find the same with Colin.

“Penance,” Bridget answered with mocking laughter. “For that dreadful journal. No less than you deserve, I assure you.”

Lord Maddox cringed. “Just tell me, my dear, that it does not involve strawberries, and I shall do exactly as you bid.”

“I make no promises in that regard, but to begin, offer the chap bad advice on wooing his women.” She paused as though thinking better of it. “On second thought, offer him exactly the advice you would normally give. I’ve read your journal.”

“My lady, may I remind you that you were won with such devices?”

“As I recall, you believed me to be blind when I did not succumb to your rakish charms.”

“Perhaps I should employ a few strategies on you now?” He took a step toward his wife.

Gemma blushed at the suggestion. It was likely they had forgotten her presence. She cleared her throat to remind them.