Page 5 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“Your mother may have to be disappointed.”
Adelaide laughed, her expression softening. “I would give my mother anything she desired, but I agree with you about the gossipers of London. Perhaps, you have won me over to your way of thinking. A quiet affair might be a marvelous thing.”
“You see, that is whyyouare the sweetheart for me,” he said softly. “Your mind does not quite work the same way as these other girls, with their foolish ideas and silly manners. You are far more challenging than they could ever be.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Challenging?”
“Oh, my dear, that is an eminently positive attribute. In previous flirtations, I have grown bored so easily,” he explained. “With you, I shall never be bored.”
Adelaide smiled, and he felt a small tug of affection for the young lady. She stood taller than most other females of her age. He could understand how it might dissuade weaker men, but at six-foot-three, he did not mind her height. He still dwarfed her. Besides, with her being closer to his watchful eyes, he could observe her better. She was a rare beauty, but not in a traditional sense. There was something otherworldly about her pale skin and raven-black hair, and the deep brown eyes that looked up into his with a flickering warmth. She would do very nicely.
In truth, her dowry was the most enticing thing about her. He thought her charming enough and there was a subtly irreverent streak that bubbled beneath the surface. Still, all of that paled in comparison to the fortune that she would bring to him. It was enough to persuade any man to become a husband. Plus, his mother had insisted he make a good match. Gazing at Adelaide, he felt he’d done a decent job of securing one of the most eligible women in London.
“I am glad to hear it, Reuben,” she said, her cheeks flushing pink.
“Although, I must say, you are slow to appreciate some of my games,” he purred. “Truly, I am most disappointed you did not offer a gesture or a kind word last night. You did not acknowledge me at all, and now I fear you are no longer serious in your affections. I went to the trouble of waiting for you, and all for naught.”
Adelaide gasped, “That was you in the park? What were you doing out there? You might have caught your death of cold. And what if someone had seen you, or called for the Bow Street Runners?” She shook her head. “That might have ended very badly, indeed.”
“I was careful to ensure that they did not.” He smiled, “Did my letter please you?”
“It did.”
“Good, then I shall send more until the day we are wed.”
Her eyes smoldered. “I pray that you do. Indeed, I would have written a reply, but I thought our paths were due to cross tonight at the Assembly Rooms. That seemed soon enough to me, though your presence here, now, would suggest otherwise.” She paused uncertainly. “Did Lady Francesca not send word to you?”
“She did, but I could not wait so long. I had to see you before tonight, somewhere without the crowds buzzing around us like flies.” He smiled, “Are you not pleased to see me?”
“I am, Your Grace.”
“Reuben,” he insisted.
“I am, Reuben, it is merely the location of our meeting that concerns me.”
He ignored her nerves. “Might I kiss your hand, Lady Adelaide?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion. He reached out for her.
She stumbled backwards. The action amused him.
“You do not wish to allow your soon-to-be husband to kiss your hand?”
“I… I do not know if I ought to. Not here, where you and I should not be conversing. If someone were to come around the corner, there would be a scandal.” Her gaze darted over her shoulder. She looked like a frightened little mouse. Reuben could not deny it intrigued him to see her so panicked. It almost brought out the protective streak within him. Almost.
“You want to be like everyone else, always toeing the line? You care so much about the opinions of others?”
She frowned at him. “I must care, Your Grace. Until you and I are wed, I must allow myself to be led by the judgements of my peers. It is the only way I may keep myself safe. Surely, you must understand that?”
“Perhaps.” She grew more and more intriguing with every interaction they shared. There was an aura about her that drew him in, despite himself. Every word seemed to flow like honey from her lips. Every spark of her dark eyes made him wonder what secrets lay within. She had him enraptured. A truth Reuben did not care to admit to anyone, least of all himself.
“Besides, I must gauge the honesty inyouraffections, as well as fend off the gossip of others,” she replied. He could tell she was toying with him.
Emboldened, Reuben took a step towards her. “And if I were tosteala kiss of your hand? If I were to take one without permission?”
He was about to reach out to take her hand, when a shadow darkened the entrance to the alleyway. A cry went up, the shout shivering through the still autumn air. Both Adelaide and Reuben whirled around to see the startled face of Jasper, Lord Gillett.
“Lady Adelaide, are you well? Should I rouse the alarm?” he bellowed, his body half-twisted to leave.
She broke away from Reuben and hurried towards him. “You must not, Jasper. You must be quiet,” she urged, lifting her finger to her lips. “This is not as it seems.”
