Elizabeth giggled. “I doubt you’d perish, but I promise not to hint that I know Grey likes you.”
“He doesn’t like me,” Madelaine whispered, afraid he might somehow hear. He must have jogged up the hill for he was almost at the top.
“He’s my brother. I’ve known him all my life. And I tell you, you’re special. He’s offered a lot of things to a lot of women and protection was never one of them.”
“Indeed she is special,” Lord Grey said, cresting the hill. Damp, black curls clung to his forehead, and she had the urge to reach out and push the thick locks to the side. Her fingers tingled, as well as the rest of her body.
“What are you doing out here, Lord Grey?” She had no idea how to respond to his statement that she was special. She couldn’t deny the way her heart had jerked with his words, but she needed to be careful. Wanting to seduce her was not the same as wanting to court her.
“I was looking for you.”
How did every word he said manage to sound crafted for seduction? Warmth spread through her limbs. She might have stood there indefinitely staring at him if not for Elizabeth nudging her in the side. “Told you,” Elizabeth whispered near Madelaine’s ear.
“What did you tell Lady Madelaine, Liz?”
“I told her you liked her.”
“Elizabeth,” Madelaine hissed in warning. “I don’t think that at all, Lord Grey.”
“You should.” He stepped so near her, his heat enveloped her and his scent of fresh pine surrounded her. He reached toward her, and a thousand pinpricks raced across her skin in anticipation of his touch. Then he paused and her breath hitched. Was he reconsidering touching her? He dropped his hand to his side, and her heart dropped a little with it. But then he gave her a glorious smile. The same one that yesterday had made her feel as if he’d never smiled like that for anyone but her. She trembled and prayed neither he nor his sister noticed how he affected her.
Elizabeth’s eyes protruded. “Well, this is certainly something I have never seen.”
“What is?” Madelaine asked, glad to have the attention off her.
“Grey playing by the strict rules of etiquette.” Elizabeth stared at her brother. “I had thought perhaps you didn’t know how.” Her voice held a teasing note and she was grinning.
“Of course I know how.” A wolfish smile spread across his face. “I just never met a woman I wanted to play by the rules for.” Heavens, was he serious? Was this some new ploy of seduction he was trying? She had no idea how to respond.
“Rendered you speechless, did I?”
The pompousness was more like what she expected from a libertine. Not the previous astounding admissions that had left her ridiculously giddy. She swallowed. “Your approach surprised me, that’s all.”
“My approach up the hill?” A smirk graced his full lips.
“No.” She glanced to Elizabeth for help.
“Grey, the queen lost one of her favorite rings and she’s charged Madelaine with finding it by twilight.”
Lord Greys’ eyebrows furrowed together. “Is that why you two were hunched over as you made your way up the hill?”
“You were watching us?” Madelaine couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.
“Of course. You looked lovely with your honey hair swinging around your face. But not as lovely as earlier.”
“Earlier?” Had he really said “earlier?” She had the loveliest tingly sensation in her stomach.
He lifted his arm and pretended to draw back an arrow.
She gasped at his revelation. “Are you following me?”
“Worried?” He smirked at her.
“Should I be?”
“No. I’ll keep all your secrets. I promise.”
Her stomach fluttered but the feeling was not embarrassment. His words excited her. “I imagine you’ve made many promises to many women in your life.”
