“Roma, what the devil are you doing hiding yourself in this corner?” With a frown of exasperation, Claude halted beside his truant cousin. “Mama is nearly in a spasm looking for you.”
With a tiny sigh, Roma realized that her momentary peace was at an end. She hadn’t intentionally tried to hide from the roomful of guests her aunt had invited for the evening, but once she had drifted into the shadowed alcove, she had discovered that it was the perfect place to view the large saloon without being noticed.
“I am not hiding,” she denied, the white lie slipping easily from her lips. “I was simply searching for a place in which I could stand without being trampled by the crowd.”
Wry amusement replaced the irritation as Claude glanced around at the guests that mingled throughout the room.
“Lord, yes. Mama is of the old school that firmly believes the success of a party is only determined by how many times your toes are trodden upon. She refuses to accept the notion an evening’s entertainment would be much more enjoyable with twenty comfortable guests rather than fifty miserable ones.” Claude shrugged, his blue eyes lingering on the pallor of her features. “Is it only the crowd that is bothering you?”
Roma couldn’t prevent a mocking smile. “What do you think, Claude? My brother is mysteriously missing, I am engaged to a man who is little more than an annoying stranger and your mother has insisted on this party to introduce my pretend fiancé to the entire neighborhood. Should I be bothered?”
Claude gave a rueful chuckle. “All right, it was a ridiculous question.”
“Indeed it was.”
“But to be honest, cousin, I am so accustomed to seeing you face up to every problem that the sight of you hovering in this corner with that rather sick look on your face caught me off guard.” He gave a self-conscious shrug. “I thought for a moment you might be jealous.”
Roma instinctively stiffened at the ludicrous words, absolutely refusing to glance toward the tall, raven-haired man who had been surrounded by a circle of adoring women since the evening had begun.
“Jealous?” She lifted an auburn brow. “Pray, what would I have to be jealous of?”
“Well …” Claude blushed faintly beneath her steely gaze. “Whether it is pretend or not, Lord Carlton is your fiancé. Those girls should know better than to flirt with the man in such a shameful manner. Any well-refined lady would blush at such forward behavior.”
With a tiny jolt of surprise, Roma realized that Claude’s condemning words merely echoed the distaste that had smoldered in the back of her mind all evening. Of course, it had nothing to do with jealousy, she swiftly reassured herself. It was simply annoying to see well-brought-up girls behaving like common tarts just because a handsome and, at times, charming man had arrived in their secluded lives.
“I don’t suppose you can fully blame them,” she grudgingly conceded, her gaze overcoming her staunch command to stray toward the man she hadn’t seen or spoken to for the past three days. As always the odd quiver of awareness flared through her body as she covertly studied the pure lines of his masculine profile and the exquisite fit of his elegant coat and pantaloons. There was little doubt that he easily surpassed every other male in the room, but forcing aside her very feminine appreciation for his decidedly male attributes, she instead concentrated on the charming smile he flashed with monotonous regularity at the bemused collection of women. “My fiancé seems to be going out of his way to encourage them.”
Claude turned his head to follow her pointed glance. “He is only being polite, Roma.”
She forced a small laugh, giving an indifferent toss of her head. “What do I care? He can flirt with whomever he chooses. In fact, it relieves me of the burden of pretending I find him anything but odious.”
“Have the two of you had an argument?”
“When don’t we argue?” she retorted, refusing to acknowledge the small flare of pain that accompanied the words. It wasn’t her fault that the man had chosen to ignore her very existence for the past three days. Or that he preferred to treat her with taunting amusement rather than the practiced charm he was currently bestowing upon the giggling misses fresh from the schoolroom. “But to be honest, I have not clapped eyes on him for days, so for once we are not at daggers drawn. I can only assume he prefers the stimulating appeal of such obvious admirers.”
Consumed by the sight of Giles lowering his raven head to catch the words of a diminutive blonde with vacant blue eyes and an overly exposed bosom, she missed her cousin’s speculative glance at her unknowingly bitter words.
“I wonder what he has been up to,” he murmured thoughtfully. “He certainly hasn’t spent his time here. Perhaps he has been over to the Scowfield estate.”
“At Freddie’s?” His words managed to capture her interest and she turned to flash him a dubious frown. “What could he possibly be doing there?”
Claude shrugged. “I am not sure. He has, however, taken an inordinate interest in Freddie. He has asked all manner of questions about his estate, his habits and even his taste in women. I found it decidedly odd to tell the truth.”
No more odd than she did, Roma silently admitted. She would have sworn that Giles had taken a swift and unreasonable dislike toward Freddie. So why would he suddenly demand information that went well beyond idle curiosity?
Almost as if sensing her perplexed gaze, Giles suddenly raised his head from the chattering blonde, his vivid blue eyes abruptly narrowing as he studied her strained features that not even the vibrant curls or frothy golden gown could completely distract an onlooker from. Without a word, he detached himself from the group of fluttering damsels, and ignoring their pouts and imploring urges to remain, he firmly crossed the room to Roma’s side.
“My dear, you look pale. Are you not feeling well?”
Ridiculously, it was the flare of sheer pleasure that raced through her at the genuine concern in his deep voice that made her rapidly retreat behind her familiar wall of antagonism.
“I feel perfectly fine.” She tilted her chin to a defensive angle. “Besides, it is rather late to play the role of the devoted fiancé.”
A raven brow arched at her petulant tone, and she suspected there was a mysterious glint of satisfaction deep in his eyes.
“Perhaps I have been rather remiss, but that is easily corrected.” With a fluid movement he had her arm in a firm grasp. “A short turn around the terrace should reassure everyone that I am completely besotten with my intended.”
A flurry of exquisite excitement raced up her arm at the touch of his warm fingers on her bare skin, and confused by the unexpected sensations, Roma found herself being escorted to the open French doors before she could form the instant protest that rose to her lips. But as they stepped into the blessedly cool night air, she managed to regain her shaken composure enough to send him a furious glare.
“There is no need for this absurd charade,” she told him in a cold voice. “I was quite content to watch you dazzle the local schoolgirls with your wit and charm.”
The husky male laugh she found so disarming mingled with the flower-scented breeze as he steered her toward the shadowed end of the terrace, his unnerving grip remaining on her arm even as they halted beside a marble bench.
“They at least appreciate my feeble attempts at flirtation. You, on the other hand, have remained remarkably immune. I can only hope that persistence will prove to be more effective than charisma.”
She firmly hardened her heart against his nonsensical words. He was a shameless rake, and she knew that her continued disinterest in his masculine charms had pricked at his arrogant vanity. As a result, he was continually attempting to bait her with his outrageously suggestive words.
“Must you be so ridiculous? You know quite well I have no interest in a frivolous dalliance. You’ll have to wile away your boredom with women more susceptible than myself.”
“Frivolous dalliance?” His amusement only deepened at her sharp reprimand. “How can you label me as a libertine when I have willingly offered you my name and protection in the most honorable state of matrimony?”
Her heart jerked to a painful stop before lurching back into motion at an uneven pace. She was potently aware of his body heat that easily penetrated her thin muslin gown and the clean scent of his male skin. She was also disturbingly reminded of the captivating moments she had spent in his arms. The memories had haunted her dreams to the point that she feared she would never again close her eyes without seeing dark aquiline features and brilliant blue eyes. Her unnerving reaction to his proximity made it impossible to treat his ludicrous words with the disdain they deserved. Instead, she flashed him an unconsciously alarmed glance.
“I wish you would not jest about our fictitious wedding,” she complained. “It is difficult enough to endure Aunt Clara’s endless chatter without your taking such delight in roasting me.”
“And what makes you so certain that I am roasting you?” His mocking smile remained, but his tone was oddly somber. “I have already told you, I believe we could deal quite well together.”
“And why would you want a marriage of “convenience?” she demanded with open suspicion. “You could easily choose a woman with a title, a fortune and even beauty. Why would you settle for someone like me?”
She thought she heard him heave an exasperated sigh, but rather than pulling away in annoyance, he stepped even closer, his fingers intimately stroking the sensitive skin of her inner arm.
“Because you amuse me, Roma,” he murmured softly. “And more importantly because of this …”
Without warning, the raven head swooped downward and the warm lips that had already created far too much chaos in her life were once again closing over her parted mouth in a plundering kiss that made her mind spin with dizzying pleasure.
For days she had been attempting to convince herself that the embraces she shared with this man could not be as earth shaking as she allowed herself to imagine. A kiss was a kiss, and it was simply her inexperience that made his seem far more poignant and meaningful than they were. But as her lips willingly melted beneath his persuasive mouth and she felt the irresistible wave of excitement curl through her stomach, she was forced to acknowledge this was no mere kiss.
How could it be when her entire body trembled with the need to be held even closer to his lean frame? It did not seem to matter that she was behaving in a completely shameless manner or that this man was a master at seduction. The only things that seemed important were the emotion storming through her and the completely unexplainable sensation that she was exactly where she belonged.
She gave a soft moan and as if he sensed her inability to resist the magical spell of his touch, his fingers tightened on her arms, slowly drawing her toward his broad chest.
“Roma …” He whispered against her mouth, his voice barely recognizable. “We must talk. There are so many things I need to explain to you—”
His words were abruptly cut off as the soft sound of approaching footsteps warned them that their privacy was about to come to an end, and with a muffled gasp, Roma pulled herself away from his clinging touch. Ignoring his soft curse and the frustrated fire that burned in those vivid eyes, she hastily raised a hand to absently push at her tumbled curls, unwittingly doing more damage than good. She felt a complete fool and could only hope that the darkness would hide the embarrassed color that rushed to her face.
“Roma, listen to me—”
“Not now,” she hissed softly, feeling ridiculously close to tears as Claude appeared on the terrace, followed by what appeared to be a large horde of unknown guests.
“Giles … Oh, there you are.” Claude breathed an audible sigh of relief as he caught sight of the two standing in the shadowed corner. “I believe that these … guests are here to see you.”
Roma felt Giles stiffen at her side, but her gaze never left the lovely creature that detached herself from the group beside the door, looking ravishing in a low-cut satin gown that shimmered like pure silver in the moonlight.
“Giles, darling, I hope we are not intruding?” the woman purred, deliberately ignoring Roma as she floated across the terrace to lay a familiar hand on his arm. “We were on our way to my cousin’s estate, and we simply could not pass by without paying a visit.”
“Really?” Giles had abruptly retreated behind his mask of cool arrogance, seemingly unaware of the stunning brunette’s provocative smile or the open invitation of her parted lips. “I have never known you to speak of any cousin who possesses an estate in the area. Certainly not one that could induce you to leave London at the height of the Season for a visit.”
The lovely woman gave a dramatic sigh, ignoring the distinct frost in his tone.
“What do I care about London without you, Giles?” she demanded softly. “I have tired of this ridiculous argument. It is time we put the past behind us and continue on with our future.”
Her tone was low enough to prevent the avid onlookers from overhearing the less than subtle words, but Roma could clearly understand every pleading syllable. A harsh, cutting pain tore through her heart as she realized that this beautiful woman was Giles’s mistress. This was exactly the type of woman she would have pictured him choosing. Lovely, elegant and sensually sophisticated. Everything in fact that Roma was not, and for some ridiculous reason that only served to deepen the unexplainable anguish that rushed through her.
As if sensing her distress, Giles abruptly wrenched his arm free of the woman’s clinging grasp, his dark features grim with displeasure.
“Lady Hoyet, I am afraid you have intruded on a private party given in honor of my fiancée. I think it is best if you and your guests continue on your way.”
The woman gave a small gasp at his blunt words, her almond-shaped eyes suddenly shimmering with tears.
“You can not be so cruel, Giles. Do you truly intend to punish me by marrying this unsophisticated chit? She would only be miserable once you realize that you still love me. Can you not see this is all a mistake?”
“The only mistake is your being here, Lavania,” Giles gritted out, in his fury emanating static tension. “I suggest you leave before my desire to avoid creating a scene is overcome by my urge to physically throw you from this house.”
“How unforgiving you are.” She gave a delicate sniff, suddenly turning toward the silent Roma. “You should take careful note, my dear. Your soon-to-be husband can be a callous brute when he chooses. They say the streets of London are paved with the hearts he has broken; are you quite certain that you wish to be tied to such a man for the rest of your life?”
“That does it. You and your friends are leaving, Lady Hoyet. Make your good-byes.”
Reaching out a hand, Giles grasped the woman’s arm in a none-too-gentle grip, propelling her firmly away from the stunned Roma. There was a faint stir as the other elegantly attired people watched Giles approach, but one glance at his savage expression was enough to have them nervously shifting out of his path without a word.
Under any other circumstance Roma might have found their subdued retreat humorous. But at the moment she barely noted their hasty exit. Instead she found herself struggling to accept the horrid realization that had quite literally hit her like a slap in the face.
It couldn’t be true. It was ridiculous, absurd, completely insane. But no matter how desperately she might attempt to convince herself she was merely reacting to the stresses of the situation, it was impossible to avoid the truth.
Somehow, in some way she had fallen in love with Lord Giles Carlton. That was the reason she had so mysteriously trusted him from the very start, and why she melted at his slightest touch. It was also the reason she had been torn with painful jealousy at the sight of his beautiful mistress.
Raising a shaky hand to the uneven beating of her heart, Roma gave a small shake of her head. She was a fool. An innocent child that hadn’t seen the danger until it was far too late. And now the smug Roma Allendyle who had been quite certain she was too shrewd to ever open her heart to treacherous emotions was suffering the pangs of unrequited love.
“Roma, are you all right?”
With a reluctant blink, Roma forced the chaotic thoughts to the back of her mind, belatedly realizing that Claude had moved to stand beside her.
“Actually, I have developed the most shocking headache,” she said, realizing that it would be futile to pretend nothing was wrong. “I think perhaps it would be best if I went home.”
Claude was appropriately sympathetic. “I am sorry, Roma. I will go tell Mama and see you home.”
“No.” She gave a stubborn shake of her head. “Aunt Clara will need you here with the guests. I brought my groom with me, and it is only a short distance home. I will be fine.”
“But, Roma—”
“Please, Claude.” She eyed him in an unconsciously pleading manner. “I really would prefer to slip away unnoticed. I will make my apologies to your mother tomorrow.”
Claude hesitated, then, sensing her determination, gave a reluctant nod of his head.
“Very well, but do not judge Giles too harshly, Roma. It was clear that the woman came here tonight to cause trouble. He at least deserves an opportunity to give you an explanation before you try and convict him.”
Her smile was filled with self-mockery. “I have no right to judge him at all, Claude. He came here to help me find my brother, and if he chooses to have a dozen mistresses, then it truly is none of my concern. We would both do well to remember that important fact.” She straightened her shoulders, refusing to display the pain that throbbed just below the surface. “Please tell Aunt Clara I am sorry her evening did not go as planned. Perhaps my next engagement will prove to be less distressing for everyone involved. Let us hope so.”
Barely hiding the threatening tears, she slipped into the shadows surrounding the house. She had to get away before she broke down completely. And even though she realized her sudden disappearance would only fuel the gossip that was bound to occur, she knew it would be impossible to face Giles at the moment.
She needed time to reconcile herself to the startling revelations and, more importantly, to find the courage to face him without revealing the emotions that ran rampant through her heart. Of course, she wasn’t sure there was enough time in the world to accomplish that difficult task.