Page 11 of His Scarred Duchess
Adeline’s breath hitched. This was dangerous territory. She knew she should step away, should remind him of their search for their wayward companions. But something in his gaze, in the quiet strength of his presence, rooted her to the spot.
“You are very sure of yourself, Sir,” she managed to say, proud that her voice didn’t quiver.
“Not at all,” he replied, his tone cooling. “In fact, you’ve thoroughly disrupted my evening. It’s not often I chase after strangers amid a masquerade.”
Adeline’s eyes narrowed at his words. “Chasing after? I beg your pardon, Sir, but I didn’t ask for your assistance. I’m perfectly capable of finding my sister on my own.”
His brow furrowed. “You speak as though you know best in this situation, Madam. Have you perhaps forgotten that it was your reckless attendance at this event that put your sister in danger in the first place?”
Panic fluttered in Adeline’s chest, quickly replaced by indignation. “How dare you! You know nothing about me or mycircumstances. I’ve spent my entire life protecting my sister, and I’ll not stand here and be lectured by some… some…”
“Some what?” he challenged, stepping closer. “Pray, don’t hold back on my account. I’m most eager to hear how you’ll finish that sentence.”
Adeline glared up at him, suddenly aware of how close they were standing. “Some arrogant, presumptuous man who thinks he can judge my actions without knowing the first thing about my life!”
“And you think you’re any better?” he retorted, his voice low and intense. “Making assumptions about my character based on what? My attire? My manner of speech? You’re just as guilty of prejudice as you accuse me of being.”
They stood there, their faces inches apart, both breathing heavily from the heated exchange.
Adeline’s breath caught in her throat. He was so close now, she could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. Time seemed to stand still as they gazed at each other, the air between them charged with unspoken possibility.
Suddenly, a sound from the corridor shattered the moment. Footsteps, drawing nearer.
Adeline jerked back, her eyes wide. “Someone’s coming,” she whispered, her voice tinged with alarm.
Who would appear when that door opened? And more importantly, how would she explain her presence in this secluded room with a man she barely knew?
The door handle began to turn…
Chapter Five
“Sister! There you are!” Isabella’s voice, breathless with excitement, shattered the charged atmosphere of the small study.
Adeline whirled around, her heart still pounding from her encounter with the mysterious stranger. Relief and anger warred within her as she took in the sight of her younger sister, flushed and bright-eyed, and a tall gentleman in an elaborate mask hovering just behind her.
Adeline rushed to her sister’s side. “Where on earth have you been? I’ve been searching everywhere for you!”
Isabella’s smile faltered slightly. “Oh, don’t be cross. Lord Ra— I mean, this kind gentleman was just showing me the most fascinating collection of exotic plants in the conservatory.”
The man beside Isabella bowed with a flourish. “Indeed, I was merely acting as a humble guide to your charming sister. No harm done, I assure you.”
Adeline regarded him, her eyes narrowing. There was something in his easy manner, the rakish tilt of his smile, that set her nerves on edge.
“I’m sure you believe that, Sir, but I’ll thank you to remember that reputations are fragile things, easily tarnished by even the appearance of impropriety.”
The man’s companion—the one Adeline had been conversing with moments earlier—stepped forward, his voice low and authoritative. “She’s right, Daniel. You should know better.”
Daniel. So the rake had a name. Adeline filed that information away, even as she marveled at the commanding presence of the other man. Who was he to speak with such assurance?
“Come, Sister.” She took her sister’s arm. “We should be going. It’s late, and we’ve imposed on our hosts’ hospitality long enough.”
Isabella’s face fell. “But the night is still young! Surely we can stay a little longer?”
“No,” Adeline replied firmly, already steering them towards the door. “We’re leaving. Now.”
As they moved to exit, Adeline felt the weight of the stranger’s gaze upon her. She glanced back, meeting those stormy gray eyes one last time.
For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine a different world—one where she wasn’t scarred, where she wasn’t being sent away in disgrace. A world where she might have a chance with a man like him.
