Page 41 of His Scandal
Even as she watched approvingly while the young men gathered about her sister, she thoughtof Alex. She didn’t want him here—yet she did. Once, she had seen him standing beneath a cluster of lanterns as he watched one man after another dance with Blythe. He didn’t seem sad, so much as…alone. He made no effort to dance with Blythe himself, as far as Emmeline could tell.
Could he finally be realizing that Blythe was wrong for him? Or was he just bored and ready to move on to another young woman?
Emmeline watched her father approach Blythe, while a young man trailed him. There were introductions made and shy smiles exchanged, and her father’s approving nod.
Tears stung Emmeline’s eyes. But her hard work would be worth it if Blythe could be happy all of her days.
Turning away, Emmeline hugged her cloak about her shoulders and followed a torchlit path. The breeze was cool off the river, and the sweet smells of budding flowers calmed her. She wound deeper into the garden, until even the voices of her guests faded. Nothing but lapping water and peace. She sniffed and wiped away a foolish tear.
“Blythe!”
Emmeline gave a start at the sound of Alex’s voice.
From around the bend of hedges, she heard him call again. “Blythe, you know your sister wouldn’t want you to run off by yourself.”
He was coming. Emmeline looked about almost frantically, but the Thames was before her and Alex close behind. She kept her back to him, wishing she knew what to say, how to explain the reasons for her actions.
She heard his heavy sigh, then stiffened when he caught her elbow.
“Blythe, let me take you back—” He turned her about, then froze, his hands gripping her upper arms. For what seemed like an endless moment they stared at each other, again caught alone in a garden, but this time with the magic of moonlight.
She tried desperately to sound unaffected. “Alex,” she said, nodding her head.
He didn’t let her go, just watched her with an unreadable expression.
She felt her throat go dry, her heart beat strangely, but still he didn’t release her. “Is it your turn to followmethrough a garden?” she asked in a husky voice unlike her own.
He bent his head even nearer. “I’m glad I did.”
She could feel his warm breath on her face, felt his hands slide down her back to her waist. She couldn’t seem to get enough air, didn’t know what to do with her own trembling hands. What was he doing? What could he be thinking?
Then he caught her hard against him, and she only had time for a gasp before he touched her lips with his.
