Page 6 of The Rogue’s Countess

“We will act as if we’ve never met before.”

“Do you really think it possible either one of us can forget what passed between us?” he said tersely.

“We must, and if we should meet again, I’ll have your word as a gentleman you’ll act as though we’ve never met.” When he hesitated, a look of determination settled on her face. “Your word.”

Gideon shook his head in protest at the sharply spoken demand. At his silent objection, her eyes widened with panic. She grew still as a small animal in the face of danger. It was impossible to tell if it was a fear of him refusing to abide by her demand or something else that caused her to remain unmoving in front of him. The urge to pull her close and simply hold her until her fear receded twisted his gut.

“Don’t ask me to—”

“Your word,” she demanded.

One idea after another crashed through his head with a desperation he didn’t understand. Every possible argument he could think of to make her change her mind was useless. The moment her lovely mouth thinned with determination, Gideon accepted the fact there was nothing he could do except agree to her request.

Resignation slid through him as he slowly turned her hand over in his and pressed his mouth to the inside of her wrist. A small shudder rippled through her at the touch, and Gideon closed his eyes as he breathed in the soft, sweet smell of roses. It was as if she’d picked the most fragrant of the flowers in his garden and brushed them across her skin. He slowly lifted his head, and their gazes locked as, with great reluctance, he nodded.

“You have my word,” he bit out.

The air between them vibrated with raw tension. Relief flared in her eyes before guilt and shame replaced the stark emotion. Her vulnerability returned as she tugged her hand out of his to take two quick steps away from him. Without thinking, Gideon immediately followed then stopped as she stretched out her hand as if to hold him at bay.

“Please, please don’t make this even more difficult for me than it already is.” The plea in her voice sent a bolt of awareness through him. She was as reluctant to leave him as he was to let her go. His throat closed, and it became difficult to breathe.

“If you have need of me in the future—”

“I shall not,” she said with resolve, despite the bleakness reflected in her wide eyes.

Then with a sharp inhalation of breath, she spun around and hurried back along the garden path leading to the ballroom. Gideon took two strides forward as he started to run after her, but his mind brought him to an abrupt halt. He’d given his word to her. To break it would only cause her pain.

The moment his mysterious enchantress disappeared around the bend in the path, his anger and frustration exploded in a vicious gesture. As the side of his fist slammed into the rough bark of a nearby tree, he grunted at the lack of satisfaction the resulting pain gave him. It was doubtful he would find someone at this late hour to join him in the ring. Even if he did, it still wouldn’t be enough. He needed a brawl.

What the devil had just happened to him? One minute he’d been on his way to meet Lady Westerly for a brief moment of pleasure, and in the next, he’d found a passion, unlike anything he’d ever experienced in the past. From the first moment she’d thrown herself into his arms, it had been difficult to let her go. Who had she come out to the garden to meet? A lover?

Gideon found that difficult to believe, even though she’d flung herself into his arms with a breathless greeting. The note of relief in her voice had been distinct and poignant, almost as if she’d been afraid her lover wouldn’t come. He was also certain it was the first time she’d ever allowed herself to consider a liaison. The horror in her eyes after having lost all her inhibitions in his arms convinced him of that.

Every emotion visible on her expressive face told him she’d been appalled at having lost control of her senses. Even despite her shock of having made love to a stranger, he firmly believed she’d not wanted to leave him any more than he wanted to let her go. With every caress and touch of his hand, she’d responded to his touch like a violin did at the hands of a virtuoso. She’d held nothing back, and neither had he.

The realization stunned him. It was the first time since he’d been witness to Edith’s shallowness that he’d broken his vow. An oath he’d made to never let another woman cause him to lose his head. But the bewitching creature he’d held in his arms for just a short time had done exactly that. All of his liaisons had been physically satisfying, but not once had he allowed himself to feel anything more than gratification and pleasure in a lover’s arms.

The moment a woman indicated she wanted more from him, Gideon ended the relationship. Although he’d remained friends with one or two of his past lovers, his feelings for them were that of friendship and nothing more. All of that had changed moments ago. Not only had he broken his firm rule never to cuckold another man, but he’d also broken the promise he’d made to himself. Not since Edith had he forgotten everything but the woman in his arms.

Still dazed by his lack of discipline where his sweet enchantress was concerned. Gideon headed back toward the ballroom. Gideon knew he should at least seek out Lady Westerly and express his regrets, but he was in no mood to pander to the woman after what he’d just experienced. Everything about his mysterious temptress had thrown him off balance. Something Edith had never done where he was concerned.

Gideon’s stride was long and fast as he returned to the house. He’d agreed not to recognize her if they met again, but she’d not extracted his promise not to search for her. In the back of his head, he heard a voice reminding him that she was married. If he’d known that before he’d made love to her, would it have made a difference? The resounding no, echoing through his head, emphasized how deeply his mystery lover had affected him.

As he strode up the steps leading onto the patio outside the ballroom, Gideon paused to study the guests from his position in the shadows. Despite his hunger to catch another glimpse of her, the sea of people made it impossible to find her among the throng. Resigned as to his ability to find her easily, he muttered a vicious oath beneath his breath.

The heat of the ballroom pressed into him as he walked through the French doors leading into the house. No matter which direction he turned, he still couldn’t see her. Had she left the ball to avoid meeting him again? A low chuckle on his left caught his attention, and he jerked his head toward the sound.

The sight of Sebastian Rockwood, Earl of Melton, smiling at him renewed Gideon’s hopes he could be able to find her. Sebastian was someone everyone sought to know. The Reckless Rockwoods, as the Set called them, knew almost everyone in polite society. An introduction would at least give him the opportunity to enjoy her company even if he never had the chance to feel her in his arms again.

“You look extremely frustrated, Gideon. Who is she?” His long-time friend arched an eyebrow at him as the two of them shook hands.

“I don’t know.” At his reply, Sebastian’s eyebrow rose higher. A small smile touched the Earl of Melton’s lips.

“Perhaps she’s all too aware of your reputation where the ladies are concerned.”

“No,” he snarled at his friend’s jest. “We’ve never met before tonight.”

“Are you certain?” Sebastian frowned with confusion. “That’s highly unusual. What is her name?”