My god, I cannot be in her presence again.
Not only would Drew never forgive him, but Aurora had two other brothers, one who used to brawl for extra coin and the other a former mercenary. Then there was Emerson’s butler, Holly, who had fists the size of hams.
Charles liked his looks and meant to keep them.
“There you are, darling.” Fingers plucked at the back of his coat, sliding suggestively up his shoulder. “I’ve been searching everywhere.”
Oh, yes.He’d forgotten she would be here.
“Well, you’ve found me,” Charles answered, thankful for the distraction, even if it took the form of Lady Bryant.
Hildie, Lady Bryant, looked up at him with a seductive grin on lips painted a deep crimson, leaving no doubt as to why she’d sought out Charles. Hildie and he had been lovers briefly, years ago, but now only dallied when circumstances suited them both. A way to pass the time when attending the same tedious house party or other mediocre event, such as this little gathering hosted by Lady Berriwell. Their relationship was purely of a physical nature.
Charles, as a rule, didn’t form romantic attachments.
Hildie pouted, arching her back so that her generous bosom nearly touched his chest, a favorite ploy of hers. She possessed little subtlety when it came to her needs. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you weren’t happy to see me, Worthington.”
“Perish the thought.” Hildie wouldn’t notice his sarcasm. She was completely self-absorbed. No wonder Lord Bryant looked elsewhere for his amusements.
“Bad boy,” she cooed. “I’ve had to practically chase you down. Distressing to say the least. I was so pleased when I saw you traipsing about.”
“I doubt I’ve ever done so. Traipsed, that is.”
“And look,” she gestured to her left, ignoring his comment, “Lady Berriwell has been kind enough to provide a maze for our use.”
Two topiaries shaped like lions stood guard over a narrow path of hedges strewn with colored ribbons. The maze stretched in the opposite direction, and he couldn’t make out the end, though it was unlikely to be terribly large. Charles hadn’t been inside a maze since he was a child.
“Come, aren’t you curious, Worthington?”
About a great many things, but not Hildie.
Her perfume floated in the air around him, heavy and overly floral. Gardenia, he thought. The scent stung his nostrils. Nor did it rouse his cock like the aroma of honeysuckle on Aurora’s skin.
Yes, but you can’t have her.
“Do you like games, Worthington?” Fingers clutched at his arm, as Hildie pulled him in the direction of the maze until they were hidden from sight beneath one of the larger topiaries. Ribbons of every color and tied to the hedge fluttered in the wind.
“I suppose it depends on the game, doesn’t it?” he answered.
“You adore my games.” Hildie stood on tiptoe, tongue darting like a tiny serpent, and licked at his bottom lip, begging Charles to kiss her.
Hildie wasn’t unattractive; she was stunning, if he were being truthful. And he was only human.
“Lord Bryant won’t come looking for me, he’s too engrossed in a game of bowls and Lady Perse’s bosom,” Hildie whispered against his lips. Standing back, moving her hips seductively, Hildie unwound the scarf at her throat. She sauntered into the maze, trailing the wisp of fabric behind her. Knowing Hildie, she’d probably worn the scarf today purely to use for this purpose.
“I don’t care for mazes, Hildie. On principal.” He turned his head in the direction of the game of bowls. Only madness lay in that direction.
“Think of this more as a hunt, darling. I’ll leave a trail for you to follow.” She gave him a lascivious leer, dropped the scarf, and let it trail behind her as she sauntered into the maze. “Think of the reward when you find me.”
“I’m dreadfully easy to motivate,” Charles smiled, strolling leisurely after Hildie, pausing to pick up the scarf before the maze branched in two directions. A glance toward the right showed one glove artfully displayed on one hedge.
Laughter erupted on the other side of the lawn where he knew Aurora to be, but Charles firmly took a step forward.
Chapter Four
There were atleast two entrances to the maze, Aurora mused. The one glimpsed from the tent earlier and now, one before her. There were no topiary lions guarding this entrance, only something that resembled a hedgehog.
Aurora tilted her head to observe the artful cutting of the hedge.
