“All right. What can I do?”
“I just need to lean on you so that I don’t put all my weight on my ankle.” He put his arm around her slim but sturdy shoulder. Immediately, warmth flowed into him. Almost like comfort.
They took a few steps together. Knowing he was heavy, he asked her, “Is this all right for you?”
“It’s fine,” she didn’t bother to look up at him at first. But when she did, she looked intently into his eyes and added, “I’m strong enough to carry the weight.”
And for the rest of the walk back to the manor, James replayed Joan’s words in his head.
***
WITH A DEEP INHALE, Joan stood out on the terrace, needing the chilly air to clear her thoughts. Behind her, the house party was throwing another dance. The music was in full swing. She could still hear soft tones of the instruments and the din of voices. Wanting to block out all the sounds, she took a few steps further from the opening. She hadn’t spoken to James since this afternoon. When she saw him enter the ballroom, she feigned ignorance to his arrival and made small talk with her sisters. Ifthey noticed (which in all likelihood they did), at least they didn’t say anything.
After a short while, she had seen him take off into the gardens. Probably for a tryst. She had seen the way Lady Whitney was eating him up with her smoldering looks. Joan rolled her eyes as a sharp twinge reverberated through her chest. He was his own man. She had no claim on him. He was permitted to do whatever it was he wanted to do. And being a rake, she was sure she knew what he wanted to do. She just wasn’t quite so sure why it vexed her so much.
So she stood staring off into the darkness, where the gardens lay, not looking for James.
Too much had happened in the last day, and she needed to settle the anxiety causing an uproar inside of her.
The kiss with James…that was one event that required her attention.
The conversation after the rescue from the trap…that demanded her consideration.
James was complex. Handsome. Carefree. Loyal. But he buried his pain. Pretended it didn’t bother him. She could see through that now, and she was growing attached to him. But he was a rake. How could she be so foolish to allow herself to grow attached to the most unattachable man?
If she could just catch her breath, maybe she could talk herself out of her feelings. After all, what were a few fleeting feelings when her heart was on the line? Her heart. Her future. Her happiness. She could maintain self control around him. She could conquer her feelings. It wasn’t as if they had already taken deep roots within her.
“Nice night, isn’t it Lady Joan?”
She dragged her gaze from the stars to greet the male voice behind her.
“Lord Tamely.” Inwardly she groaned at the sight of him. She wanted to be alone. And if not alone, at least not with him. He was a walking fight waiting to happen. He was confrontational and lived without remorse. Yet somehow, because of his powerful family, he was still invited everywhere.
He moved closer to her, blocking her way back inside.
“Have you been out here long?”
Did the man not have anything interesting to say? If he was going to waylay her, shouldn’t he have come up with something better than that?
“I just stepped out for some fresh air.”
“Might I escort you for a walk in the gardens? He asked with a smarmy smile.
“I think I shall head back inside now. Thank you.”
Lord Tamely put his hand on her arm, and a pulse of anger tore through her. It was not enough to consider drawing her dagger on the man, but if he did anything more, she wouldn’t hesitate to reach beyond her pocket and grab the dagger secured on her body. “I didn’t mean to intrude on your space. You look as though you have something on your mind.” His hand squeezed her arm. It was meant to be a reassuring gesture but it only made bile rise in the back of her throat. “I’m a good listener.”
“I’m sure you are. Thank you for the offer.”
“Would you like to talk?”
“No, thank you.”
He stepped closer to her. So close that she could smell hispungent floral cologne.
Leaning in, he dropped his voice, “Do you need some comfort, Joan?” Hearing her name on his lips made her shudder.
“I said, no.” She wanted to get away from him, but his grip had tightened.
