Page 25 of A Bonny Pretender
He bowed over her hand and blended into the crowd.
“There you are, my dear,” called Lady Franklin to her husband. “Mrs. Wilkerson was just telling me about her daughter’s travels.”
“Oh, I do hope I don’t miss Lavinia’s return,” said Evie. “I want to hear all about the Continent.”
“I believe I took you on an extended trip after our wedding,” Lord Brecken reminded his wife as he hovered over her. “Or did I miss adesireddestination?”
The look in Brecken’s eyes and the flush spreading up Evie’s neck told Brigid there was a secret meaning to his words. She grinned at her friend, normally so composed, and sympathized. Until a month ago, Brigid never understood the effect a man could have on a woman. It was as if the faeries had sprinkled magic dust, andpoof!she was at sixes and sevens, tongue-tied, and infatuated.
Later in the evening, she had finished a country set with an older portly gentleman. He mopped his bald pate with a handkerchief and asked if she’d like some refreshment. The thought of another half-hour with the baron, his sweaty face, and his roaming eyes didn’t appeal to her.
“I’d be happy to escort Miss MacNaughton,” interrupted Lord Raines. “I’m a bit parched myself.”
Her head snapped around; a smile curved her lips. “Oh, yes, er…”
“Well, I know when I’m not wanted,” said the baron with a wave of his hand. “Go enjoy yourselves. I remember being that young.”
How could the mere touch of fingertips against his sleeve send the wings aflutter in her belly? “Ye saved me. I’m now in yer debt.”
“Did I tell you how much I enjoy having the upper hand?”
Brigid laughed. “No, but I had the impression.”
“Would you like to get some air? The garden here is one of the best in London.” Lord Raines nodded his head toward the veranda, the chandeliers creating shimmers of gold and white in his thick hair.
“That would be wonderful. The reels are great fun, but I’m used to dancing outside.”
“Your dances aren’t inside a building?”
“Some of them are, of course, depending on the season. Though even in winter, the festivities often spill outside.” She gave a sideways glance. “Did ye have bonfires when ye were a boy?”
“I snuck out at Samhain one year and joined the villagers.” His eyebrows shot up. “Are your dances like that?”
“Och, no. The bonfires are for warmth. We do often dance around it, but it’s no’ all wild abandon as ye are imagining, just everyday dances.” They stopped on the veranda, and her mouth fell open. “Oh, my. This is beautiful.”
The garden had three wide paths that spread out in different directions. The walkway in the center led to a large fountain in the distance, with smaller paths leading away from the watery centerpiece. Flowers and delicate bushes were planted here, allowing visitors to see others as they strolled. On the right was more of the same, but planted with flowering bushes of varied sizes and trimmed into animal shapes. Smaller bushes were birds, squirrels, or rabbits. Larger bushes were dogs, horses, and even zoo animals.
“What’s to the left?” she asked, only seeing a dark wall in the distance.
“The hedge maze.”
“No! I’ve read of them but never saw one.” She picked up her skirt, grabbed his hand, and pulled, forgetting all the dull lessons Evie had so patiently drilled into her.
“There’s no hurry. Slow down.”
Brigid stopped at the dark entrance and dropped his hand. “It’s no’ meant for night?”
“They mean to discourage young ladies who don’t care about their reputations.”
Her eyes caught his. “I believe we’ve had this conversation.” The smile slowly turning up his lips made her mouth go dry.
This time, he took her hand and pulled her behind the tall hedge wall. He stopped once inside the shadows and pulled her against him. She breathed in his familiar leather and cinnamon scent while his fingers stroked her cheek. She swallowed and closed her eyes, wondering how her pulse had slid from her neck to her core. The ache between her legs grew as his lips replaced his fingers and trailed hot kisses along her jaw.
His thumb rubbed her bottom lip; his tongue followed. She gasped, parting her lips. Then his mouth was on hers, and a thousand impressions whipped around her like a summer storm until they converged into one thought.
Saints and sinners! I love him.
Brigid wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on for dear life.Thismust be swooning.
