And the Miss Ran Away With the Rake(122)

But just before her gown drifted down her arm, the earl groaned, then reached out and caught hold of the broach at her shoulder and pushed it back up where it belonged, his fingers sliding along her collarbone, her bare skin. His fingers were warm, hard, steady atop her shoulder, and suddenly Harriet could imagine them just as easily plucking the broach away . . .

And then he looked at her, and Harriet saw all too clearly the light of desire in his eyes. Could feel it as his hand continued to linger on her shoulder and knew it would be nothing for him to gather her in his arms and . . . and . . .

“Demmit, Harry—” he muttered, snatching back his hand and stepping off the patio. More like bolting.

“Whatever is the matter?” She hoped she sounded utterly innocent, for she certainly didn’t feel it. His touch had left her shivering, longing for something altogether different.

“I . . . that is . . . I need some air. Yes, that’s it. I came out here to get some air.”

“I thought you came out to find me.” She let her statement drift over him like a subtle reminder. “Yes, well, if you just came out for air, that’s most excellent. I was of the same mind.” And with that, she followed him.

For she couldn’t help herself.

He looked over his shoulder at her. “Harry—”

“Yes, Roxley?” She tried to appear as nonchalant as possible.

“You cannot come out with me,” he said, pointing the way back to the well-lit patio.

“Whyever not?” she asked, as if she hadn’t the slightest notion what he was saying.

And he didn’t look like he wanted to discuss the subject either. But he did anyway. “It wouldn’t be proper.”

“Proper?” She laughed as if he were making a joke. “Oh, bother propriety. How long have we known each other?”

“Forever,” he grumbled.

“And have we ever indulged ourselves in anything scandalous?” She strolled toward him and then circled him like a cat.

“No,” he ground out as he looked at her, at her bare shoulder, and then just as quickly looked away.

Not yet, she would like to have said, but instead she continued her charade. “So whatever is wrong with you escorting me into the garden for a bit of air, especially since you’ve promised my brothers to keep an eye on me—which you have, haven’t you?”

“Well, yes—”

“Do you think they would prefer I go for a walk in the gardens with Lord Fieldgate?” More to the point, Roxley, she wanted to say, do you want me out there with that bounder?

“Bother you to hell, Harry. No, they wouldn’t like it.”

Neither would she. “So?”

His jaw worked back and forth, and truly he did look like Lancelot caught between his loyalty to his liege and something less honorable.

Harriet hoped the less honorable part would win.

And to her delight it did. For the most part.

Roxley muttered something under his breath, and then caught her by the elbow and tugged her down the path. “Come along with you. Just don’t do that thing with your lashes again.” He frowned at her. “You are done up like a courtesan. If your mother could see you—”

“She’s in Kempton.”

“As should you be,” Roxley said, more as a threat. “I blame my aunt. She should never have brought you to London.” He glanced at her again. “It’s changed you.” Then he added, “And not for the better.”

“I see nothing scandalous about taking a walk in the gardens. I did this earlier with Lord Kipps and there was nothing so very wrong there. Why, your aunt encouraged it.”

“She did?” he said, sounding none-too-pleased.

They rounded the first corner and there was a couple—a water nymph and her Neptune—entwined beneath an arbor, kissing passionately, that is, between murmured endearments and confessions.

“My dearest, my darling—”

“Oh, however did you know it was me?”

“How could I not?”

“You see,” Roxley said once they were well past the other couple. “You are far better off out here with me than with Fieldgate.”

“Yes, I suppose.” She let every word fall with abject disappointment.

This brought the earl to a halt. “You suppose? Do you know what the rogue would do out here? Alone with you?”

Harriet shrugged. Truly, he had to ask? She had five brothers. She knew exactly what Fieldgate would do given the opportunity. But still, she did like to provoke Roxley. “I suppose he would have tried to kiss me—”