Not far away, he noticed his sister, Lilly, chatting with some friend. He stepped around some couples to get to her. He took her by the arm and pulled her closer to whisper in her ear. “Where is Lady Frances?”

  When he pulled back, confusion was written on his sister’s face through her narrowed gaze. “When I left her, she said she was going to talk to you.” She glanced around them. “Did she not come?”

  His heart dropped. If Frances had come this way, she would have seen him with Lady Livingston. What were the chances that Frances had overheard? Inwardly, he groaned. He hoped that wasn’t the case.

  FOUR

  Frances elbowed her way through the crowd, praying nobody would detect the tears swimming in her eyes. She needed fresh air before she became sick. The events of the last hour were enough to cause any woman to go insane. Especially because Nash Wolverton was involved.

  She made it to a side door and hurried through it before anyone could stop her. She was certain her father or Augusta would be searching for her soon, especially when her next dance partner wouldn’t be able to find her. But it didn’t matter. She couldn’t stay in that room one moment longer without screaming.

  After Lilly had come to tell her about Lord Pettingill, Frances’ anger had surfaced—again—and this time she wasn’t just going to brush it away as she had when Nash had ruined her conversation with Mr. Hobart.

  The nerve of that man! Why couldn’t Nash just let her be? He obviously didn’t want to be her husband in name only, so why was he trying to destroy her chances with other men?

  Frances slowed her steps as so not to attract attention from the others who were strolling in the moonlight on the back terrace. There was too much lighting out here on the walkway to find privacy. She needed to find someplace where she could hide so that others wouldn’t see her tears.

  Phrases drifted through her mind from what she’d overheard when she came upon Nash and Lady Livingston. Her heart wrenched and she held her breath, trying to keep from crying. He wouldn’t accept Frances’ offer, and yet he would meet the widow later tonight to hear her offer? Frances wasn’t completely naïve. She knew exactly what that woman wanted from Nash. And the fool appeared eager to get it.

  Finally, she found a clove of trees where nobody stood around; a place where she could hide and release her frustrations. She pressed her forehead against the trunk, brought her knuckles to her mouth, and allowed the dam of tears to break free. Sobs shook her body as she thought of everything that had happened to her lately. Frances blamed herself for feeling this emotional. She shouldn’t have expected Nash to eagerly accept the bargain she’d offered. She figured he would be jumping at the chance to help his sisters—and Frances, of course. It hurt to know how wrong she’d been.

  She especially berated herself for enjoying his kiss a week ago. Why had she done that when she was still very much in love with Adam? But then, Nash was a scoundrel of the worst kind. He had taken advantage of her weakness...of her innocence. She’d been an utter fool.

  Behind her, the leaves of the bushes rustled, but before she had time to wipe the tears out of her eyes, two strong hands grasped her shoulders and pulled her away from the tree and pressed her face against a muscular chest. She didn’t need to look at the man’s face to know who it was. His familiar masculine pine scent had left an imprint in her memory, which would probably be hard to erase.

  “Shhh...” Nash shushed in a quiet voice, “don’t cry, my precious.”

  Her heart twisted again. Why did he keep calling her that endearment? She most certainly wasn’t his precious at all.

  Taking in a deep, slow breath, she tried to collect her wits before she spoke. If she said anything now, she’d just start crying again.

  His warm palms drew small circles on her back as he gently pulled her body closer. Although this was highly improper, it was also in an odd way, comforting. Her mind clogged with confusion. Why did she feel this way while being cuddled in his embrace? What happened to the hatred she had for him only moments ago?

  He was silent, except for his profound breathing. His breath brushed the top of her head, and slowly moved down to her ear. A shiver ran through her, which confused her more since she wasn’t cold. But when his lips swept over her temple, she hitched a breath. What was he doing? Was this some kind of seduction? Well, she’d show him his tactics weren’t going to work this time.

  She lifted her face, and gasped. He was entirely too close. Shadows played across his face, making him that much more handsome.

  “Are you feeling better?” he asked with kindness in his voice.

  She expelled a breath as she tried to collect her senses before they went flying all over the place. She wished she could see his eyes, but even those were darkened with shadows. He continued to hold her against his body, and of course, inhaling his scent like this made her legs weak.

  “I’ll be fine once you move away,” she finally said, thankful her voice didn’t crack.

  His mouth stretched wide. “I’m happy to see that your energetic personality has returned.”

  “Please, Nash,” she pressed her hands against his chest to push him away. She was only able to take one step back because his arms were locked around her waist. “I don’t know why you came to find me, but I wish you’d return inside. I want to be by myself. Can’t you see that?”

  “What if I want to talk to you first?”

  “I’d rather you not.”

  He stroked her cheek. “Lilly mentioned that you wanted to say something to me earlier. Will you tell me what it was?”

  Her memory returned in a disturbing flash. Nash stood so close to Lady Livingston—a woman with a sordid reputation, no less—and the woman’s hand rested on his arm. The look of lust in the woman’s eyes resurfaced in Frances’ mind...and Nash had held the same expression.

  Frances’ gut twisted again. “It’s not important any longer.”

  “Why?”

  She rolled his question in her head. Why wasn’t it important? Was it because of what she’d heard him and the widow discussing so seductively? She tried pushing aside the pain from his refusal, and focus on why he made her upset tonight.

  Finally, anger rose inside of her, and she felt more like herself again. She yanked herself out of his arms and took another step back.

  “Fine. I shall tell you what was on my mind.” She folded her arms and glared at him. “You had no right trying to ruin my chances with other men. When you refused my offer, I moved on. Why can’t you let me find another man to step in as my husband before my father signs the betrothal papers for me to wed Edgar Stone?”

  Slowly, he nodded as he tapped his finger on his chin. “I understand now. You thought I was trying to interfere when I was only trying to help. I realized you didn’t know about those gentlemen, which was why I stepped in. Forgive me for trying to save you from a bad marriage. I didn’t want you to be with men who didn’t put their love for you first in their lives.”

  She huffed and bunched her hands into fists. “Why can’t you understand that I don’t care about love? I gave my heart away a few years ago. There’s nothing left of my heart to give to another man. I just want to find a way to keep from being wed to Augusta’s nephew. If you knew Edgar at all, you’d know why I don’t want him in my life.”

  He nodded again. “I’ve seen Edgar strike a woman across the face.”

  “Which is why I don’t want to be living with him as his wife.”

  Nash continued to gaze at her, even though she couldn’t see his eyes. She wished she could read his expression. Had she finally gotten through to him? Would he leave her alone now?

  “I do understand, Frances. But I also wish you would understand me. You are too special to be tied with a horrible husband. That’s why I tried to scare you away from Pettningill and...um, that other one.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Mr. Hobart.”

  “Oh, yes. That’s the bloke.” He stroked his thumb against her cheek, trailing it slowly toward her lips. “I’m not sure you understand the purpose of marriage, my precious. You may want to marry a man in name only, but men wed to have heirs. Even if you convince yourself it’s in name only, I assure you, the man you marry will eventually want to consummate the marriage. He will want a child to carry on his name and title. There is no way he would be immune to your beauty for very long before giving into his desires.”

  Her face heated from this very improper topic. She should not be discussing this with Nash. However, her mind started clicking, and a question lurked on her tongue. “Is that why you turned my offer down?”

  Once again, she wished she could see his eyes. Were they laced with panic right now? She just hoped he told her the truth.

  After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, he cleared his throat. “Yes, I suppose that’s why I refused. I’m not ready to settle down and have heirs. And just like you, I’m not ready to fall in love.”

  Sighing heavily, she dropped her arms by her sides. Finally, he let her know his feelings. At least she was relieved he didn’t turn her down because she was hideous or because he didn’t like the way she’d kissed him. “Yes, you are correct, Nash. Eventually, a married man will want to beget heirs. I’m happy to know that’s what you were truly thinking when you turned me away.”

  “Of course, it was.” He rubbed his palms down her arms before grasping his fingers with hers. “I do still care about you, and I don’t want to see you get hurt, which was why I stopped you from getting to know those other two men.”

  Although she should yank her hands out of his grasp, she kept them there. Why did it feel so comfortable when she knew it shouldn’t? “Tell me, Nash, are you going to help me find my future husband? Is that what your purpose is here tonight? It’s obvious that you aren’t here to help your sisters find beaus. If you were, you wouldn’t be standing in the shadows under a tree with me right this very moment.”

  He chuckled and brought one of her gloved hands to his mouth as his kissed her knuckles. “You wish me to help you find a husband?”

  She shrugged. “If you are going through the effort of trying to scare them away, you may as well assist me in finding the right man. In fact, it would be less work for you. Perhaps you could introduce me to some of your friends.”

  He laughed again as he lowered her hand, but he continued to cradle it in his strong grasp. “I really don’t have many friends who are searching for a wife.”

  “You are friends with my brother.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Forgive me, my precious, but I don’t think it’s proper to marry your brother.”

  She huffed. “Of course, it’s not. I was just pointing out the fact that you do know men who are available for marriage.”

  “Not as many as you’d think. Besides, the ones I know are rogues.”

  “Like yourself?” She tilted her head, studying his expression.

  He barked out a sudden laugh. “Yes, indeed, but worse.”

  “You think they are worse because none of them actually cared about the women they tried to seduce?”

  His smile vanished. “I didn’t exactly seduce you, Frances.”

  “I said tried to seduce.”

  Nash released her hands and stepped toward the tree into the shadows a little deeper. He pushed his fingers through his hair. “I suppose I should apologize for that.”

  She hiccupped a laugh. “You suppose?”

  “Fine.” He nodded and faced her. “I shall apologize now. Please forgive me for convincing you to kiss me.”

  “Sorry, Nash. I won’t accept that apology.”

  “Forgive me for making you curious about kissing me. Is that better?”

  “Actually, no.” She braved to take a step closer to him. “Tell me, Nash. Did you feel guilty at all for leading me to believe you were going to accept my offer?”

  Seconds ticked by without him answering. The silence was broken when he blew out a rush of air out of his mouth.

  “I’ll admit I said that because I wanted to kiss you. Actually, I wanted you to kiss me.”

  For some silly reason, her heartbeat skipped and flutters jumped in her belly. Why wouldn’t these sensations go away? She didn’t want to feel them for him. “You wanted me to kiss you before you refused me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Because you knew you wouldn’t get a chance afterwards?”

  His smile grew. “Exactly.”

  “An experienced rogue, such as yourself, couldn’t allow the moment to pass without having a very passionate kiss with an innocent woman.”

  His smile shifted as one side lifted higher than the other. Oh, how she wished she could see what emotions played in his eyes.

  In one large step, he stood in front of her again—a mere breath away. He cupped the side of her face. Why she didn’t stop him, she didn’t know. Maybe it was because of the way her heart sped faster with excitement. Or it was the way she detected his quick breaths as they fanned her face.

  “You thought the kiss we shared was very passionate?” he asked in a low voice.

  She swallowed down the lump of dryness that suddenly formed in her throat. Even her mouth became parched. “Um, well...didn’t you think that it was?”

  Slowly, he nodded. “But I’m relieved that you thought the same way.”

  Oh, goodness! He was leaning closer to her. He couldn’t possibly want to kiss her again, not after what had happened the last time. And even if he did, she couldn’t allow it. So then why couldn’t she tell him to stop?

  Before she knew what she was doing, she licked her dry lips in preparation for the moment his mouth fused with hers. All words disappeared in her head, and the only thought crossing her mind was if he would kiss her. And if she would enjoy it as much as their first time?

  Of course, you will, silly!

  Yet, she must push him away. If she allowed his kiss, he’d hurt her all over again. Unless... Perhaps if she just pretended that this kiss was going to teach her how to woo men, maybe her heart wouldn’t be affected. She must think of this as part of her education.

  She gulped, trying to moisten her throat. “I-I haven’t stopped thinking about it since that night.”

  A groan escaped his throat as he closed the space between them and placed his mouth over hers. Immediately, his arms wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her against him. She didn’t fight it. She didn’t want to. Instead, she slid her hands up his chest and linked them around his neck.

  He kissed her differently this time. Wilder. More passionate. She almost couldn’t keep up. His mouth slanted back and forth over hers. His hot, velvety tongue slid into her mouth and caressed her tongue, causing the most sensitive tingles to shoot through her body. His hands moved over her back just as fast as if he searched for something he couldn’t quite find.

  Breathless, she copied his actions. Never had she been kissed in this manner. And Heaven help her, but she liked the out of control feeling. Nash made her feel desirable. Wanted.

  However, he didn’t want her. And realistically, she didn’t want him, either.

  The thought destroyed all of the passion building inside of her. She felt as if she’d jumped into a river in the dead of winter...naked. She couldn’t allow these feelings to rush through her like this. There must be a way to tamper these emotions when they were together.

  Turning her head, she broke the kiss. “No, Nash. This cannot happen.”

  He kept her in his arms, and his breathing was as heavy as hers. After a few moments, his arms loosened and she stepped back.

  “Forgive me. I was caught up in the moment.”

  “Yes, I know how you feel, but...I cannot let this go on.”

  He nodded.

  She took a deep breath and released it slowly. Once she composed herself, she straightened her shoulders and faced him. “I suppose the dancing is about over.”

  “I’m sure it is.”

  She cleared her throat. “My father and stepmother are probably wondering where I am, so I’d better go.”

  “Indeed.”

  “And of course, you have a widow you’ll be meeting soon, so you should be on your way.”

  His head snapped up and he peered at her. “How...do you know about that?”

  “I overheard.”

  His eyes widened. “How much did you hear?”

  “Enough to know you’ll be meeting her after the ball. But not to worry, I don’t plan on stopping you.” She couldn’t halt the anger rising to her head, and especially, the ache piercing through her body. Her head throbbed with so many different emotions. “I just hope her offer is better than mine.”

  Before he could stop her, she spun around and hurried toward the walkway. Just as she reached the edge of the trees, he grasped her arm.

  “Frances, no. I won’t allow our conversation to end this way.”

  Her heart wrenched—an emotion she was tired of having around him. “Please release me, Nash. There is no reason for us to end our conversation differently.”

  “No, you’re wrong. I need to know that you don’t hate me.”

  She threw him a glare. “Why? What do you care? You’d rather be with a woman like Lady Livingston.” She nodded toward the manor. “So please, be gone. I don’t want to be the reason she falls asleep waiting for you.”

  “Frances, please.” Nash’s voice wavered. “Don’t do this.”

  Because they were closer to the light, she could see his eyes a little better. Perhaps it was better that they moved into the shadows again. Seeing the confused pain written on his face was not good for her self-control.

  NASH COULDN’T UNDERSTAND his own thoughts. All he knew was that he didn’t want Frances to loathe him. Whether it was guilt over Adam’s death or not, there was something deep down inside Nash’s mind, that commanded him to make amends. Even the twisting of his gut influenced his actions.

  “Frances, I want us to be friends. Is that not what you want?”

  Her gaze bore into his. There was his answer...and yet, he wouldn’t accept it.

 

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