Page 21 of A Rogue to Ruin
Arriving just behind them was Stone’s son, Lorcan Mallory, the Viscount Sandon.
“Whyever are you addressing us so formally?” Anne asked with a laugh. “You’ve known us forever.”
“Yes, but Jane is now a viscountess.” Sandon bowed to Jane and then to Anne. When he rose, he grinned at them both. “Forgive my father. He’s dithering about whether to move the picnic inside.” He glanced at the sky where a particularly dark cloud was heading straight for them. “I think he must, but he doesn’t always listen to me.”
“Perhaps we’ll be fortunate and the rain will stay away,” Anne said.
Sandon’s gaze strayed to where footmen were pouring wine. “I beg your pardon, but I must attend to picnic management. Father wants to hold off on the wine for a few more minutes until those darker clouds pass.”
Deciding she’d waited an acceptable amount of time before approaching Lord Bodyguard, Anne looked to where he stood with his sister and her husband. “Let’s go and speak with Selina.”
Jane nodded, and the trio made their way to Selina, her husband, and Mr. Bowles. Selina greeted them warmly, as did her husband, Mr. Sheffield. Mr. Bowles bowed, and Anne decided he was rather good at it.
Anne positioned herself next to Lord Bodyguard. “Did you see the temple?”
“I did.” He looked toward the folly, which stood several yards away. “It’s rather hard to miss.”
“Come, I’ll show you my favorite part.”
His brows rose. “You’ve been here before?”
“Many times.” She clasped his arm and led him to the folly. “The Goddess of Love.” She looked at him askance but he gave no reaction. “She came from the sea, so the base of the temple is decorated with creatures from the ocean. I love the dolphins, but there is one in particular…” She guided him around to the back of the temple. “Here. This one looks as though it’s smiling.”
Lord Bodyguard stepped close to the dolphin, whose snout was pointed toward the sky as if it were cresting the surface of the nonexistent water. He touched the stone, his gaze fixed on the animal. “Extraordinary,” he breathed.
“Have you ever seen a real dolphin?” she asked. “I have not.”
“I’ve never even been to the sea.” He stroked the dolphin’s snout. “At least, not that I remember,” he added softly.
“You should rectify that. I love the ocean. Something about the sound and smell is incredibly peaceful and refreshing.”
“Perhaps I will.” He turned his head then looked at her. “We’re not in view of anyone else. Isn’t that scandalous?”
She arched a shoulder. “Probably.” She almost said she was already scandalized, but she didn’t want to talk about her aborted wedding with anyone, especially Lord Bodyguard. “So your name is Raphael?”
He took his hand from the dolphin. “Rafe.”
“Rafe. It suits you.”
A smile teased his mouth. “How fortunate after thirty-two years.”
“So that’s how much older you are than me.”
“How much older is that?”
“Ten years. It seems like a great deal of time, and yet I know several young ladies who married men older than you this Season.”
His gaze held hers. “You aren’t marrying me, Miss Pemberton.”
“You called me Anne before,” she whispered. “You can do that when we’re alone.”
“We should never be alone.”
“But we have been.”
He glanced toward the picnic area, which they couldn’t see. “That was ill-advised.” He frowned at her. “I thought I was plain with you the other day—we aren’t friends.”
“And I explained—plainly—that we are. Stop fighting it.”
