Taming Wilde (Waltzing with the Wallflower #3)(19)

Percival lifted his arm toward Gemma. “May I escort you, Lady Gemma?”

Once again left with no choice, she took his offered arm and nodded, while inwardly she cringed. As he guided her to the dining room, she cast a backward glance to where Colin had stood, but he was gone.





Chapter Nine


My dear fellows, if a woman seems too amiable, or perhaps a bit too excited to be in your presence, tread carefully. A woman worth having is rarely eager, and if she is, you, my friend, are either walking straight into her trap or you are just a cheap substitute for the sorry bloke she’s trying to get over. Let it be known that rakes never go for the easy prey. Any fellow with two eyes and a… ahem, I digress. Any fellow could do that. No, gentlemen. Find the woman who is agreeable yet distant — beautiful yet cautious. Seduce her, and you may finally call yourself a rake. Seduce the spinster, and congratulations… you are just like every other gentleman. —The Private Journal of Viscount Maddox



He hadn’t seen Gemma in two days, and he was already driving himself mad. Sleep would not come, and every time he tried to do as Anthony instructed, which always did more harm than good, he ended up in a pickle.

Just the night before, Colin had decided it was time to visit a gambling hell. Anthony had suggested The Dungeon. The minute Colin had walked in he was accosted by a large barmaid. He’d tried to escape. He truly had. After all, hadn’t Anthony said he’d made all his early conquests at this establishment? Surely not! For every woman had looked old enough to be Colin’s mother, or his grandmother.

He’d backed slowly away from the woman, but hell’s teeth… she was strong! She’d taken him by the lapels and force-fed him whiskey until his eyes blurred and his teeth went numb. The rest of the night was quite fuzzy, but he could have sworn Anthony showed up and slipped some blunt to the woman before hauling Colin’s foxed self home and slapping him on the back for a job well done.

At least Colin looked the part tonight. After all, it was Vauxhill Gardens, the fireworks would be magical, and the many trails through the park would provide enough privacy for a midnight seduction. He only hoped there would be a woman willing to take the darkened trails with him.

Near him, a woman purred.“Sir Wilde, is that you?” Perfect timing. He steeled his face against the grin that was threatening to show itself and slowly turned.

“Ah, Lady Montgomery, how do you do this fine evening?” He purposefully lowered his gaze to her bosom, pausing for a brief second before meeting her eyes and winking. “Beautiful as always, I see.”

Lady Montgomery pulled out her fan and giggled. “We are familiar, are we not? Please, call me Alice.”

“Then allow me the same. I imagine Colin would sound lovely across those lush lips of yours.”

“Colin.” Her eyelashes fluttered, and for some reason Colin found himself slightly irritated. He shook his head to focus.

“I was just thinking what a lovely evening it would be for a walk.” He held out his arm. She looked at it then behind her.

“And what of the fireworks?”

“Ah yes, the fireworks at midnight.” Colin tilted her chin with his free hand and smirked. “Shall we make our own?”

With one last look behind her, Alice nodded and took his arm, following him deep into the dark garden trails.

“Oh dear, my fan!” Alice exclaimed the minute they were past the first few trees.

“Allow me.” Colin backtracked and located the fan immediately; she must have dropped it. He brushed it off with his gloved hands and stood, just in time for his head to hit the low-hanging branch. With a curse he fell to his knees.

Devil take it! His eye throbbed with pain as he continued cursing into the night air. Where was Alice? He tried to open his eye but failed. Stumbling to his feet, he walked in the direction she had gone, trying his best not to allow his one bad eye to stop him from this seduction. After all, true rakes could seduce a woman if they were blind. Surely he could do the same! Resigned to his mission, he marched down the path and noticed Alice sitting on a bench near the middle of the trail.

He covered his eye and sat down next to her. “My lady, your fan.”

“Thank you.” Her throaty reply somehow made the pain dissipate in his eye, but it was only a brief reprieve, for the next minute, as he leaned in to kiss her, the fireworks went off, causing Alice’s head to slam against his in surprise.

Make that two black eyes. Perhaps he could shoot for a third bruise? After all, the night was young!

“Oh! Oh dear! I’m so sorry, Colin. I—”

“—Lady Montgomery!” a voice shouted.

“Oh no,” Alice wailed. “You must hide me!”

“Hide you?” Colin sputtered. “Why the devil would I hide you? Need I remind you, you are an adult, a widow to be exact, and you are able to—”

“Oh, do shut up!” Alice smacked Colin on the shoulder. “I am newly engaged! If Hawke finds me, I will be ruined!”

“Hawke?” Colin repeated. “Do you mean the Marquess of—”

Alice put her hand over his mouth. “It was just arranged! It is a smart match. My money and his money will—”

But she did not finish speaking. Instead, she ran into the bushes headfirst and stayed there while Colin was left alone on the bench, nursing two black eyes and a headache at his temples.