Chapter One #2
Thrown by his odd behavior, Lydia asked, “Why is what?”
“Why would a young lady prefer solitude to the company of handsome gentlemen? Why a dim little”—he paused to glance around the room, his features twisting almost comically into one of confusion and amusement—“sewing room instead of a bright and colorful ballroom?” His gaze returned to her as a smile tugged at his mouth.
“You do know there’s a grand party taking place in this very house. ”
“Indeed,” she retorted. “You should return to it.”
His grin widened. “I will, if you will.”
She arched her brows. “Surely, you have better things to do this night than taunt a stranger.”
“Not really.”
Lydia glared back at him.
Was it really too much to ask that she should have the freedom to spend her time as she desired?
For three years now, she’d been forced to attend these pointless social engagements.
No matter how obvious it became that she was never going to find popularity amongst the eligible gentlemen of London, her mother continued to insist that she had a duty to marry and marry well.
Her only respite had come in the fact that she’d learned quickly how to satisfy her mother’s demands that she attend such events while doing exactly as she pleased—which was to slip away whenever possible and spend the evening as she preferred.
As the rake continued to grin at her, she scowled. “Are you truly so lacking in decency that you won’t allow a woman a bit of peace when she requests it?”
“Oh, were you making a request this whole time? I thought you were ordering me about.” His eyes flashed and his tone dipped into one that was smooth and intimate.
“Don’t misunderstand, I adore a woman who knows what she wants, but it’s much easier to satisfy those desires if I’m given full liberty to do so. ”
His innuendo was obvious, and though Lydia’s belly performed an odd little flip and she desperately wanted to look away from his challenging stare, she did not falter.
She’d never been spoken to in such a provoking way.
She was not the type of woman to inspire seductive undertones or even flirtatious ones.
Though Lord Darlington had made quick work of establishing his reputation as a womanizing rake in the four years since he’d entered society, Lydia had established her own place among the masses.
She managed to return his penetrating stare and taunting smirk with an unflinching gaze. “Is that what you’re waiting for?” She smiled tightly. “Then, by all means, I allow you full liberty to leave me alone.”
His dark brows lowered as his expression shifted into one of amused consternation. “You almost have me believing that’s truly what you want.”
Lydia tossed her hands up and gave another roll of her eyes. “The man may have some intelligence, after all,” she muttered.
Her frustration tickled his amusement again as he chuckled, deep and warm.
“Honestly, I’ve never known a woman who wasn’t pleased by the charming company of a handsome man.”
Lydia widened her eyes. “Oh, is that what you’re supposed to be? Charming?”
“I’ve been told so.” His smile tilted with a touch of wickedness. “And don’t think I didn’t notice that you didn’t dispute my handsomeness.”
She paused. Then gave a tight smile. “I suppose a rake must have something with which to entice the foolish. It’s appropriate that it should be a trait as shallow as their pursuits.”
A flicker passed through his gaze and the wickedness in his manner intensified, like a shimmering shadow. There was an essence of knowing in his eyes that seemed to pierce straight into the hollowest core of her, where she’d buried every secret desire she refused to acknowledge.
She clenched her teeth and fortified her defenses.
“If I choose to pursue you, love, there will be nothing shallow about it,” he said in a graveled tone. “I’m known for leaving ladies deeply satisfied.”
Lydia stared back at him as her body was claimed by a tingling rush of alarm. He wasn’t seriously making an overture, was he?
She studied his expression. His eyes peered intently at her while his mouth maintained a curve of amusement. He was obviously trying to taunt her, but she didn’t necessarily sense deception in his stare. But beyond that, she had no idea what he was thinking.
She forced a pitying look. “You should turn back now, my lord. You will not get what you want if you continue along this path.”
The earl’s eyelids lowered and he tilted his head. Then he murmured warmly, “I have not yet declared what I want. You’d best not assume too much about me, Lady Solitude.” Another smile flashed. “I get the sense you don’t enjoy being proven wrong.”
Lydia’s smile was tight. She did not want to reveal how his words touched too acutely on the truth. Her tone was firm. “It will take a lot to convince me I am wrong about you, My Lord Seducer.”
The man’s expression darkened and he looked as though he wished to refute her when there was the distinct sound of the door opening behind Lydia, followed by a breathless gasp.
“Darlington,” a woman exclaimed in a sultry whisper. “There you are.” Then she giggled. “What a disgustingly quaint little room. What on earth brought you here?”
Lydia pressed herself back into the armchair. She gave a quick scan to ensure no flounce or hem of her gown extended beyond the seat and that she remained fully concealed from the woman behind her. Then she cast an accusatory look at the man seated at a conspicuous diagonal from her.
He didn’t return her stare. In fact, he behaved as if she weren’t even there as he flashed a rogue’s grin at the lady who’d entered across the room. The same she’d seen directed at her only moments ago.
“Perhaps I was curious to see how far you’d follow me,” he replied smoothly as he rose to his feet. Without even a flicker of a parting glance, he stepped past her chair toward the other woman. “But you’re absolutely right, love. Surely, we can find a better place to enjoy a few private moments.”
“More than a few, I hope,” the lady teased. “But now that we’re here…”
Her voice trailed off and Lydia heard some suspicious sounds that she truly had no wish to analyze or identify.
As she tensed so tightly her muscles ached, Darlington replied with a hint of rakish disdain, “I’m afraid the contents of this room could easily bring all amorous thoughts to a dead stop. Let’s move on.”
A few moments later, she heard them exit the room and the door click shut behind them.
Finally, leaving Lydia alone once again.
She should have sighed in relief and returned to the book still resting in her lap.
Instead, she stared at the chair where the rake had been. She told herself his parting words were not a direct comment on her presence, while struggling to comprehend the odd twist of disappointment in her belly.