Page 2 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
She stared at him, uncertain how to reply. It was a habit her friends and family teased her about, sometimes in an unflattering manner. “You have the advantage of me, sir. I have yet to know who you are.”
A brief frown crossed his face before he pinned her with an intense stare. “I will remain unknown for the time being.”
Emma pressed a hand over her chest as if to contain her heart that jolted. “I am uncertain if I should be alarmed or intrigued. My wild imagination tells me you are perhaps dastardly, and I should flee inside.”
That smile once again touched the corner of his mouth, and an unknown warmth curled low in her belly.
“So will you flee, Miss Corbett?”
She lifted her shoulder in an inelegant shrug. “I enjoy the solitude of the gardens too much, and I am certain if you are a bounder, I can defend myself well.”
A bit flustered by his provoking stare, Emma said, “Since you will not permit your name, allow me to know why you are hiding away in the garden?”
A bold question. She knew that rather than prying, she should be making a hasty retreat, or they may provide salacious gossip for the scandal sheets.
Flee.
Emma dismissed her inner voice even though she knew it was one of better judgment. She could not help her inquisitive nature, and she was curious about the only man who had sent shivers down her spine.
“I suppose I am even less fond of balls than you are, Miss Corbett.”
He decided to reply, and this surprised her even more.Intriguing. She waited a few beats for him to say more, smiling when he merely stared at her. “I daresay you are a man of few words.”
His eyes gleamed. “I have been accused of being too succinct.”
Emma arched a brow. “Why are you not fond of balls?”
He stared at her; somehow, she could tell he wondered how much he should share with her.
“I am obliged to socialize, so I accept invitations, but I always find these events wear on me after a short time. I thought to get some fresh air.” He broke into a wide smile that made her heart squeeze. “I am pleased I did; otherwise, we would not have met.”
There it was again, that tingling sensation that warmed her all over. “The quickness of your flattery suggests it comes easily,” she murmured.
“You wound me,” he said, humor rich in his tone. “I have been told I am quite mean with my charm.”
She smiled. “Does that mean I should thank you then?”
He laughed, and that warmth spread from her belly through her entire body. What a voice. Emma wanted to listen to him speak all night, for the sound of his voice tantalized her skin. She could imagine him whispering in her ear.
Her reaction was simply too mortifying.
“Your quick wit is rather interesting, Miss Corbett.”
Emma barely managed to choke out a response. “I see.”
He gazed at her as if she were an exotic creature, something fascinating that one should approach cautiously. It was as if he wanted to come closer and examine her from different angles. That he would look at her with such attention fascinated and repelled her in equal measure.
“So, you say you are a healer,” he said.
She blinked. Emma was not accustomed to anyone showing interest in that facet of her life. “I am indeed.”
He could not keep the curiosity from his voice as he said, “I have never heard of a lady of quality being a healer.”
Emma felt satisfied and thrilled that he wanted to know more. She would only say so much. “My affinity for healing comes from my mother’s family.”
“Pray tell,” he urged.
“It was not perchance that I acquired these skills. My uncles are both distinguished physicians. As a matter of fact, one could say that it is in our blood.”
