“Well, first,” he answered, “a beautiful woman will catch anyone’s eye. And after I saw Hynes take you to the floor––well, let’s say that gave me an extra reason to watch. I know something about his sense of humor,” he finished bleakly.
“And you stepped in when you saw him leave me.”
“Precisely. His behavior was inexcusable, no matter if you could have seen your way off the dance floor or not. Would you like me to call him out?” her companion asked, almost casually.
“You mean, insist on a duel?” Rose laughed in spite of herself. “I thought only men who are personally insulted are supposed to issue challenges.”
“I am personally insulted, knowing that he nearly got away with treating you in such a manner. Besides, the defense of a lady is always grounds for a dawn appointment. Are you quite sure you wouldn’t like me to challenge him?”
She caught the teasing, hopeful tone in his voice and smiled. “It’s a satisfying thought, I admit, but I would feel awful if you were harmed.”
“If anyone would be harmed, it would be Hynes.”
“You’re very confident. Are you a good shot?”
“Excellent.”
“But what if he chose swords?”
“He wouldn’t. I’m the best swordsman I know,” he said in what was surely a jest. Who practiced fencing anymore, as if this were still the era of derring-do and old-fashioned chivalry? “Duels are conveniently scheduled early, so it’d be over by breakfast, and I could take you for a ride in the park afterward.”
Rose shook her head at the thought of this mysterious man defending her honor and then whisking her away. “The incident is not worth such bother. Indeed, it would elevate Mr. Hynes beyond what he deserves, which is to be forgotten.”
“As you wish, Miss Blake,” he conceded. “I shall skip the duel, and just call to take you to the park tomorrow.”
She tipped her head, her ear toward him so she wouldn’t miss the nuances in his speech. She said, “You know, I almost believe you.”
“Believe me entirely.”
“I might, if I knew you.”
“Ah, there’s the rub. Here I am, a stranger in the night, and you are very rightly hesitant. Luckily, it is proper for a gentleman to call upon a lady after dancing the night before. My mother did raise me well, though if you asked her, she’d claim the result was a failure. Where do you live, so that I may fulfill my obligation?”
She told him, not really thinking that it would matter. This man seemed to be one who did not care for rules, a thought she voiced out loud.
“Rules are generally boring,” he agreed. “But I obey them when it suits me.”
“A very manly position,” she murmured. “If I broke a rule, the result could be disaster.”
“Yet you allowed me to take you out here,” he noted.
“Well, as you said, I did need to recover myself. Mama is going to have a fit either way, so I may as well take a moment to cool down before the next battle.”
“It was disgustingly hot in there,” he agreed. “I hate parties.”
“Then why attend them?” she asked, curious at the contradiction.
“Favor to the hostess. She’s done me a few good turns, and my appearance at her soirees is a small price to pay for that kindness.”
“She is very kind,” Rose said. “She keeps inviting my family in hopes I’ll find a suitor at some point.” Rose then realized he might think she was angling. “Oh, not that I’m attempting to entrap you!”
He only chuckled. “It would be a very roundabout attempt, Miss Blake, considering I asked you to join me out here, rather than the other way around. You have no suitors?”
“Not a one. I shall die a spinster. And I don’t even spin,” she added, unconsciously echoing an old running joke she had with Poppy.
“That seems an incredible loss,” he murmured.
At that moment, Rose felt him run a finger along her jawline, very gently. She went still, partly from surprise, but also because it was a tantalizing sensation, sending rivers of warmth along her veins.
