Page 64 of To Love a Libertine (Once Wicked 1)

“I’ll take care of them,” Percy answered grimly.

Chapter Sixteen

The Alderford ball

Two days. In just two more days she’d stand beside Ravenwood at St. James’s and lie before God and two dozen earthly witnesses. That she should be here, smiling and dancing as if she looked forward to the event, felt wrong when all she wanted to do was lock herself in a dark room and weep.

Appearances, however, had to be maintained. She must give the impression of happiness over her impending nuptials. So had her father decreed. So must she comply.

Her dancing partner’s manner was beginning to irritate her. That he should flirt in so outrageous a fashion with a woman he knew was to be married in two bloody days was preposterous. Had she not been under strict orders from Papa she would have left him standing there.

As she rounded the next turn, a familiar face flashed by. Her breath caught. He’s here. Her heart began to pound so that its rhythm confused her, and her steps faltered for a moment.

Fool! Don’t draw attention to him. Resuming progress, she cast her partner an apologetic glance. Each time she passed Percy, their eyes met for an instant. Every part of her craved his nearness.

The instant the dance ended she headed for the terrace. Glancing over her shoulder as she exited the room, she was able to see whether she’d been followed. Fortune was with her, for no one seemed to be paying her any mind at all.

Catherine, to whom she had not spoken a word in days, had washed her hands of her, electing to remain in the gallery amongst her friends. Their strained relationship had been noticed at the last event, thus Papa had taken on the duty of shepherding her about. His vigilance was less strict than his wife’s, a fact for which Eden was at the moment most grateful.

Going to the far side of the balustrade, she made a show of staring out at the moonlit gardens as though taking in the fresh air. Every muscle tensed in anticipation. He would come to her. He’d not have attended this ball unless it was for the express purpose of seeing her.

Footsteps sounded behind her. “Eden.”

As always, his voice sent a thrill through her and raised gooseflesh. “You risk much in coming here so close to the wedding.”

“It is for that reason I am here tonight. I cannot allow you to go through with it. I’ve spoken with my friends at court. They are prepared to refute any charges Ravenwood raises against your family should you choose to break the engagement. I can pay your father’s debts and have his name cleared with the crown.”

Something slid into her palm. Startled, she would have dropped the paper had Percy not caught her hand. Turning, she held it up to look at it in the lamplight and gasped. It was a marriage license. “You know my father won’t sign this.”

“Then come with me to Scotland,” he urged. “We can leave this instant. We’ll wed there and then, on your twenty-first birthday, have a proper ceremony here in London if you want.” Warm hands grasped her shoulders, turning her to face him. His eyes, so dark as to be nearly black, were filled with longing, pain, and need. “Eden…”

Vision blurred as tears sprang into her eyes. “Percy, I—”

All thought fled as his mouth descended over hers, as her heart’s desire became reality in the meeting of their lips, the mingling of their breaths, the joy of being physically connected with him again. There was only this. Nothing else mattered. Not her reputation, not her future, not her family—nothing. The blood whooshed in her ears, drowning out the rest of the world, as she slid her hands up to clasp them around the back of his neck and draw him closer.

The suddenness with which the sweet contact was broken jarred her. Ungentle hands gripped her arms, pulling her away and spinning her about.

Ravenwood stood before her, his expression wroth. “I demand to know the meaning of this betrayal!”

Before she could answer, Percy stepped between them, drew back his arm, and punched Ravenwood square on the chin with an uppercut that sent him staggering back. “If you ever lay a hand on her again, I will kill you,” he growled as the man regained his balance.

Ravenwood massaged his jaw. His eyes were wary now rather than wrathful as they flicked between her and Percy, assessing, calculating. “Eden, come away now,” he said as several people who’d come out behind him turned to see what was happening.

She didn’t answer. She didn’t move.

“She does not wish to marry you, Ravenwood,” said Percy loudly enough for those nearby to hear. “Have done with this ridiculous rivalry and release her.”

“She has agreed to become my wife,” countered the other man indignantly.

“She was coerced into accepting your offer only after she’d accepted mine.”

Ravenwood’s face darkened. “She accepted me freely.”

“The lady says otherwise. Will you call her a liar?”

Around them, the gathering crowd began to mutter.

Eden held her tongue. Why Percy had chosen this course was something she’d have to figure out later. Right now all that mattered was Ravenwood’s response.

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