He smiled. Without a word, he took a step back. “As you so desire, my lady. I have another face if that fancies you more,” he purred.
Amelia was too taken by his handsomeness to even formulate a response. It was just as she’d suspected—the shadows had done very little to hide how striking he was. His sharp features, hazel eyes, pointed chin. But she was wholly unprepared for just how devilishly good-looking he would truly be.
She was so absorbed by her study of him that she didn’t realize he had pulled out a mask—possibly hidden away within his coat—until he held it up to her.
Shock sliced through the heady passion that had been consuming her senses. She would recognize that mask anywhere and it sent a sliver of panic coursing through her.
The…“Masked Rogue?” she muttered.
“At your service.” He swept an exaggerated bow.
Amelia hardly had any time to process what she was seeing, hardly got a chance to come to terms with just who she had allowed to embrace her.
Too many emotions swirled through her at once. Her horror grappled to overthrow her lingering need, her anger and frustration making her head grow hot. She gaped at him, finding herself utterly speechless. But what could she say? How dare you seduce me when you killed my father and ruined my life?
The door to the balcony began to open, Amelia realized. People had started arriving. And the Masked Rogue didn’t notice that as of yet.
Her mind whirred as an insane plan occurred to her. All her problems—all of Dorothy’s problems—were because of the man before her. She recalled her earlier thoughts, on how if she managed to find this man, she would spend her entire life bringing him to ruin.
Amelia had no hope tonight. If she was found here, any chance she had at finding a husband would be reduced to zero, while the Masked Rogue walked off free and unscathed yet again. She couldn’t allow that to happen. She couldn’t allow him to steal her last chance at saving Dorothy.She couldn’t allow him to get away unscathed.And what better way to gain control over him, bring him to ruin, than becoming…
Her dull mind snapped back into action and the moment the door opened, the moment the first few lords and ladies stepped through, Amelia wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.
He didn’t know what was happening at first. He gave in to the kiss, pressing her against the balustrade, moaning softly into hermouth. For a brief moment, Amelia forgot how insanely she’d just acted and thought only of how perfect his lips felt against hers. It was her first kiss and it was utterly, sickeningly amazing.
But then, she heard the first gasp. Then the gentleman stiffened, realizing what was happening. They had an audience.
He pulled away, staring at her in disbelief. Amelia met his eyes, not bothering to hide the fact that she’d done it on purpose. She’d wanted the guests to see them kissing, had known the damage it would do to her reputation.
But she was a desperate lady, and in that desperation, she’d taken her best chance at securing a marriage.
CHAPTER 4
The moment the Masked Rogue pulled away from her, a sharp slice of fear cut through Amelia’s bravery. The horror—the utter rage—that burned in his eyes made her wonder if she’d just made a terrible mistake. An apology rushed to the tip of her tongue and it took all her strength to keep from voicing it. She had nothing to apologize for! The Masked Rogue had done so much damage to her life that it was only right he did something to compensate.
“You did this on purpose,” he whispered menacingly, eyes flashing like a predator in the moonlight.
Amelia lifted her chin, hoping he wouldn’t notice how terribly her hands were trembling. “I did what needed to be done,” she hissed back.
He frowned, confusion filling his eyes. But before he could utter another word, murmurs enveloped the space around them. The balcony began to swarm as rumors of a clandestine pair sharing a passionate embrace swept through the crowd.
The Masked Rogue grabbed her hand without warning and hauled her away from the eyes, pulling her through a separate exit at the side of the balcony. Amelia had no choice but to surrender and follow.
He dragged her through a small hallway and into a parlor. The door was slammed shut, making her jump. Amelia tried her best to put on a brave face but the man before her had fury rolling off him in waves, forcing her to retreat into a dark corner where she hoped it was safest.
He paced back and forth, running his hands through his once elegantly pomaded hair. All while mumbling something that Amelia could not hear. Her eyes darted desperately to the nearest door, wondering if it was possible for her to escape.
But escape where? They had seen her face. Right now, the ballroom would certainly be ablaze with gossip, all centered on the lady and gentleman kissing on the balcony. When before she had been ignored, now eyes would follow her wherever she went. There was no escaping.
Perhaps I was a little too rash, she thought despondently. Yet, as quickly as the despair set in, she cast it aside. Now wasn’t the time to fear the consequences of her actions. She had a plan, and, as foolish as it might be, she had to follow through with it.
Amelia drew in a deep breath, her hands in tight fists. “Must you keep moving back and forth like some sort of madman?” she asked, grateful that her voice carried far enough for him to hear her.
He halted abruptly, eyes hard. “Iam the madman?” His tone was low and cold. “Wise words from the lady who has just damned us both in front of the ton.”
“It was you who seduced me,” she argued back. “Why did you touch me like that at all if…”
She couldn’t finish, her cheeks burning like a furnace. The intense manner in which he gazed at her now brought her back to his sultry caresses, the sensual graze of his lips trailing her collarbone. A smoldering heat enveloped her core and Amelia squirmed uncomfortably, averting her eyes.
