“Is that secure enough?” Phaedra asked.
“No,” he said roughly. “Do it over.”
She laughed and undid the knot, carefully renewing her efforts, this time lingering a bit longer than the first time. “How is that?”
“Better.”
She settled back in her seat, her face flushed with warmth from being so close to the earl. She made a decision then. She would kiss Deerhurst tonight.
No matter what.
*
Deerhurst entered themasked ball with Phaedra on his arm, his chest tightening in a sort of awareness he hadn’t considered possible. He had thought turnabout was fair play, which was why he’d asked her to fasten his mask, but Saints, he still felt her fingers tugging and looping and brushing against his neck. It was just a bloody mask. But in Phaedra’s hands, the very act of securing the piece of cloth had become seduction. The hardness that still strained against his breeches had been proof of that.
Thank Christ she hadn’t noticed.
He spared her a brief glance. How could one woman look so bloody beautiful? She smelled like an ocean breeze after a hot summer day. Much too good for his jaded heart.
He was a selfish bastard.
He had no business escorting Phaedra to a ball such as this. She was an innocent. And he hadn’t had any obligation to protect her tonight since she had been safely tucked in her home. Yet here he was, with her on his arm, at a ball that would probably shock the hell out of her sensibilities.
But when he’d heard that Huntly had cancelled all engagements, Deerhurst had known he had found out about the list. After all, as a fellow member of White’s, it had only been a matter of time.
Momentary panic had set in. Why?
Good bloody question.
The thing about it was he hadn’t been able to stay away. He’d planned to, honestly, he had. He had plenty of other things to do. Meet up with Saville and Warrick. Pore over ledgers and matters of business. Find a woman to satisfy this growing need inside of him.
None of those options tempted him.
He’d been too restless to stay home. The only person he wanted to see stood beside him. The only thing he wanted to do was enjoy her company.
So, he had brought her here.
Deerhurst didn’t know how long it would take for the dust to settle on the wagers, but he was beginning to suspect it would last until every single one of those women on the list was married. He didn’t know how this would end for Lady Phaedra, but he knew he wanted to give her one night where she could be free to socialize without having to worry about wagers, fortune-hunters, or men like Cromby.
“This is so thrilling.” The excitement in her voice was tangible.
Deerhurst smirked.
Her face lit up when she spotted the dancers. Not willing to pass up on an opportunity to spend time up close with this beauty, he asked, “Do you want to dance?”
Her sparkling gaze turned to him. “That would be wonderful.”
He leaned over to whisper in her ear, “I serve at your pleasure.”
She snorted. “That is such a roguish thing to say.”
“Am I misbehaving again?”
“We have already established you are a man full of mischief. Though you hide it well when you’re out and about.” A thrill of anticipation and desire spun down his spine.
“I don’t hide it from you.”
“I’m not sure if I should be thankful or alarmed.”
