Page 6 of Keeper of Secrets

He forgot his misgivings as he made his way out the door.

CHAPTERTWO

Chloe inhaledin a fresh breath of air, her eyes closing.She’d never seen so many people at once.The most significant events in her village were a quarter of this size and the sheer volume of guests all packed into such a small space had overwhelmed her senses.

Mildred had assured her that this was particularly raucous, being a public event, but also an excellent place to start as many of the social rules were more relaxed here than they’d be at a private party.

Chloe could afford to make a mistake or two in a place like this…

So, when Mildred went to get a cup of tepid punch, she’d managed to slip outside, taking a moment for herself.Next to her, a gas light buzzed, the noise so odd.In the winter at home, not a sound filled the night air, but here, it was always loud one way or another…

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?”

The rumble of the deep voice behind her had her spinning in surprise.That was another difference from home.Handsome men did not just appear out of nowhere during balls.There were hardly any to go around in her old village.

And dear lord, this man was handsome.Even with the mask, she could tell he was a cut above.Dark hair swept back from his forehead, looking both wind-tousled and perfectly styled all at once.

His cheekbones were covered but his jaw had that perfect masculine cut, sharp and strong, and his lips, by contrast, were full and delicious.

His shoulders were broad, the kind a lady might really like to hold onto, his body tapered down to a trim waist and long, powerful legs, highlighted by the tightness of his breeches.

Chloe realized she’d gone too long without speaking.She cleared her throat before answering, “It is.”

“Do you come here often?”The deep baritone of his voice shivered through her.Ought she go inside?Find Mildred?But she didn’t wish to leave.This might be the most exciting moment of her entire life.

“Never,” she answered with a smile.“I’ve come to London for the first time in my life.”

“Interesting,” he rumbled moving closer.“So you’ve never had a season?”

“No,” she said, and blushing to admit how much experience she lacked.

He didn’t appear concerned as he moved a bit closer.“Where do you hail from?”

“Durham,” she answered, looking back out at the small courtyard beyond the veranda.

“You’re a long way from home.”

Home.It wasn’t her home.Not any longer.She had no place to live there, no family to speak of.She was adrift in this world and desperate for an anchor.“You live here in the city?”

“Sometimes,” he said, his gloved fingers brushing her hand on the rail.When had he gotten so close?“I too spend a fair bit of time in quieter parts of England.London is no place to spend a summer.”

She looked over at him where he now lounged against the rail.He was close enough, she caught the scent of his pipe, mixed with pine, something dark and delicious underneath.She drew in the smell of him, her eyes closing for another moment as she… savored.

Did she drift closer or did he?Their shoulders bumped and she jerked back.“Pardon me,” she gasped, her eyes flying open.

He let out a low chuckle, the sort that tickled deep in her belly.“No apologies required.In fact, it’s cool enough out here and enough of your skin is exposed…” His gaze meandered down her throat to the cleavage that her gown revealed.“That you ought to lean into me for a little warmth.”

Tempted didn’t even begin to describe how she felt.Never in her life had she experienced anything like this man.“My apologies.I didn’t catch your name…”

He chuckled again.“I’m just another fellow who paid his coin at the door hoping to meet a beautiful woman.And I have.”

More heat crept into her cheeks, her chin dipping at the compliment and the magic of this moment.

This is why she’d always wished to come here.She’d known London was where great adventure and romance would happen.

His finger hooked under her chin, lifting her face to his.He had a half-smile playing with one side of his sumptuous mouth, the sort that made her breath catch.“You should never look down.You are a woman who should always be seen.”

Her lips parted even as his other hand reached behind her head, plucking at the strings of her mask.The ivory silk slipped down her face, falling into her hand as she gasped in a breath.“Look at you…” he murmured, his eyes, behind his mask, seeming to drink in every detail of her face.“How did I manage to find you tonight, my delicious little treat?”

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