Still, the little she had seen of the Duke of Emerton, he had been charming and flirty with a ready smile and joke. This strict man before her was surprising.
"You should know I am only sending you home for your good," he told her softly. "You should be in respectable places searching for a husband."
"You and I both know I have no say in my future," she muttered angrily.
"That is still not an excuse to take such risks," he scolded. "You could get hurt."
"I do not need another lecture from you, Your Grace." She curtsied. "I get enough of that from my brother."
She frowned and stormed off not caring if it was rude. He had ruined the night for her and she still hadn't gotten the kiss she wanted. It didn't matter what he said, she would be trying again even if not tonight.
"Where have you been?" Lily asked rushing up to her. "I have been looking all over for you. I feared the worst had happened. Are you alright? You look positively red."
"I am well. May we leave now?" she asked, sparing a glance at the corridor she had just emerged from. "I find that I have a headache."
"It's a little early and…"
"Please, Lily," she begged.
She didn't think she wanted to stay one second longer not when she was so terribly humiliated and upset.
"All right," Lily answered. "Were you able to get your kiss?"
Cecilia shook her head with a sigh.
"I won't ask questions but I expect you to tell me in time."
She nodded and trailed behind her friend without sparing a glance back at the house. She should have known that she wouldn't be so lucky to escape such an encounter unscathed.
It wasn't until they were in a hansom that she breathed easily again.
CHAPTER 3
"Shite," Theo cursed as Magnus' sister stormed off in a cloud of her perfume.
He didn't know how he hadn't placed the scent sooner. Her scent had been the first thing he had noticed when Magnus had introduced them years ago and it had continued to tickle his senses over the years. It was a unique blend he had never smelt anywhere else, so when he had smelled on the woman in the mouse mask, it should have been easy to know it was her.
He was too blinded by his amusement at the long-legged beautiful creature that had arrested his attention since she had arrived the party and later on by the feel of her skin to notice.
His inner beast had been joyous at the possibility of ruining an innocent that had dared to cross into such a dangerous territory and he had been sore tempted. Arousal had driven him to watch her and then to invite her into the dark space needing to tease and see her come undone.
When he remembered how he had her panting with need, he gritted teeth, tightening his hands into fists. He had no right to know how naughty words excited the little lady or how she had a beautiful set of breasts, just pert and right.
He needed to rid himself of the memory of this encounter quickly. He didn't need to know such intimate things about his friend's younger sister.
If only he had been more observant, things would never have gotten as far as they had. Her voice that should have made him recognize her had only aroused him further even though it screamed familiarity.
Shite,he cursed internally.
He had been so aroused by Magnus' sister that he had tried to tempt her into an affair in one of the alcoves.
He was thankful things hadn't proceeded more than they had or he would be unable to face the man without feeling guilty. God knows the man already had misgivings about him. If he were to ever learn the truth of what had happened between him and his sister, he would no doubt ask him to pick his seconds and destroy their circle of friends.
Now that he knew she had a proclivity for mischief, he would have to ensure his friends that organized such parties double checked their guest lists so the stubborn girl wouldn't get hurt.
Christ, she was giving him work he didn't need.
He made to leave, evening ruined, to ensure that the stubborn girl had returned home when he spied a folded piece of paper on the floor wondering what it was.
