Page 7 of My Wicked Earl
For the next several years, Miranda followed Colin every time he visited Gray Covington. Talking incessantly, she buzzed around him like a gnat he could not rid himself of. Miranda begged for more tales of the wee folk and as she grew older, Greek or Roman myths. He would never have admitted it to Cam, but Colin secretly enjoyed the way she worshipped him. It had made Colin feel important. Needed.
“I suppose she’s grown up to be one of these annoying creatures,” Colin said under his breath as he watched a group of twittering young ladies circle the ballroom in a cluster of silk and lace, as if an invisible thread linked them together. How could she not be?
“Well, there you are, finally. I’ve been searching everywhere for you.” The elegant, cultured voice teased softly from behind the Grecian urn.
Colin turned a bit cautiously, comforted by the feel of the knife tucked in his coat—a habit Uncle Gerald had instilled in him.
‘It takes too long sometimes to load a pistol. But a knife is always ready.’
“I can’t imagine why such an urn would be looking for me,” he said lightly, “especially since we haven’t received a proper introduction. I am acquainted with the palm, however, as we were introduced earlier this evening.”
A soft giggle, as light as soap bubbles floating up from a bath, emanated from the urn, or rather from the person behind it. The palm waved slightly, as if a gentle breeze blew through the fronds.
“I said, I’ve been looking for you.” The words were soft and suggestive, as if the speaker were bent on seduction.
The greenery parted, and Colin’s first thought was that heprayedthe speaker was bent on seduction.
A young woman stepped blithely in front of the urn, one gloved hand pressed to her lips as if she were about to burst into laughter. Glossy black hair, the color of a raven’s wing, coiled about her head in an elaborate coiffure. Peridots winked at him from within the dark dresses, matching the gems that dangled from her delicate ears.
Colin’s heart stopped at the sight of her.So beautiful.
Her gown was the color of the Irish hills and decorated with dozens more peridots, twinkling about her lush form in such a fashion that she appeared to shimmer in the weak light of the wall sconces. Almond shaped eyes, the same color as her dress, watched him in expectation. She was the most gorgeous thing Colin had ever seen. Like a fairy come to steal him and take him to the Otherworld.
Lovely, lovely.
Lust slammed into him so fiercely that for a moment he didn’t breathe. How was it possible that this amazing creature was looking forhim?
She moved closer, revealing a generous, but tasteful display of bosom. The top of her breasts gleamed pale and white in the candlelight, like fine alabaster.
Colin’s eyes immediately took in the expanse of honeyed flesh and the gentle swell of her hips. She seemed not to notice the effect she had on him. Her plump red lips held an impish smile.
“I beg your pardon?” His throat went dry. Something about this woman seemed vaguely familiar, as if he’d seen her somewhere before, perhaps walking along Bond Street as his hackney passed.
The scent of sweet honey and lavender surrounded him as she neared.
Cocking her head to the side, she dipped into a polite half curtsy. As she did so, an ebony curl slid over her silk clad shoulder to settle in the crevice between her breasts.
Colin couldn’t take his eyes off that curl. It seemed to beckon him, pleading with him to wrap the glossy strand around his finger. How would her hair look unbound, pouring over her shoulders, down to her-
“I’ve been sent to fetch you,” she lowered her voice to a husky whisper. “Viscount Lindley thought you would probably be hiding, and, as usual, he was quite right. I find it an annoying habit of his. Always being right. Just once, I would like him to be incorrect about something, or someone, though he rarely is.”
Colin nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving the curl which beckoned him to come closer. He longed to press the curl to his lips.
Her head cocked to the side. “Although, if I could hide from all that fuss in the ballroom, Icertainlywould. The unnecessary flapping of fans,” she rolled her eyes as her slender gloved hands waved in the air, “the tedium of making pleasant, meaningless conversation just so someone you don’t even particularly care for will call on you the next day. I find it a terrible waste of time. I’d much rather read a book, wouldn’t you?”
A smile tugged at Colin’s lips. “Indeed. I adore books.”
“I’m ashamed to say that I spend most of my time during calls attempting to keep from yawning in the caller’s face. No one ever has anything interesting to say. Weather. Fripperies.” She shrugged, moving the mounds of her ample breasts. “Although, I do adore the dancing, truly. I mean the dancing at balls,” she giggled, “that sounded rather like I dance when gentlemen call on me. Do you dance, Mr.Hartley?”
She said his name in such an odd, familiar way, as if they’d known each other for years. There was something about the way she spoke, her words darting about like fish in a stream, that reminded him of something. Or someone.
“I do not.”God, he wanted to touch that curl, possibly place one finger into the delectable crevice where it lay.
She pursed her lips, drawing his attention. She had a rather sinful mouth, one that made him think all manner of wicked things. Her lips were the color of summer berries and would likely taste as sweet.
“Well, that’s rather unfortunate,” a soft smile crossed the luscious lips. “I was so hoping that you danced, for I do adore it. The way the music floats about you while you’re spinning around is delightful. I’m reminded of the ballet. Do you enjoy the ballet? Oh, don’t answer, I doubt that you do. Most gentlemen do not. I’m not certain many young ladies do either, for that matter, though I’ve often wondered how one dances on their toes.” The gown floated about her trim ankles as she turned back and forth for his benefit, pointing her toes at him in an imitation of a ballerina.
“Would I be able to make you reconsider? Not the ballet of course, but the dancing in general?”
