It was now or never.
Slowly, she marched up to him, giving a polite curtsy as she reached him. She could feel her brothers’ curious gaze burning at her back.
“My Lord.”
He gave her a once-over, his expression placid. She could not tell if he was happy to see her or if she was inconveniencing him.
“Lady…?” he trailed.
Oh, of course. How silly of me. I should have begun with my introduction.“Lady Violet Kingsman of Nightingale Manor.”
He nodded, swirling the wine in his glass. His expression remained unreadable, but she was certain there was somethingbeneath Lord Kembert’s reserved exterior, something worth uncovering.
“Lady Violet,” he repeated in a dry tone and took another sip of his drink.
“I just wanted to say… I’ve noticed you prefer to keep to yourself at these sorts of events. Not that it is a bad thing… quite the opposite, really. In fact, I wanted to tell you that I understand. I am the same way,” Violet rambled, nervously.
He continued to stare at her with a blank expression.
“I suppose what I really wish to say is that…” Violet steeled herself, her heart feeling as though it would burst out of her chest at any moment. “… that I find you quite intriguing. Different from the others. I suspect that we would get along swimmingly.”
Her cheeks were burning, and she was out of breath by the time she got the last of the words out. Lord Kembert took a long sip from his glass.
“I appreciate your observation, Lady Violet, but it is not my intention to attract any attention.” His lips dipped downwards into a frown. “Nor am I here to make any acquaintances in case I have given you that idea.”
“I…” Violet felt the words dry up in her throat, leaving in their wake a flush of embarrassment that crept up her neck andsettled hotly on her cheeks. “I was merely commenting what I had observed…”
He cut her off, his voice sharp. “Then I must say that your observation skills are lacking. If you truly paid attention, you would know that I dislike being approached, nor do I like to waste my time in idle conversation. Now, if you will excuse me.”
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Violet standing alone, her cheeks burning with humiliation. She stared after him, stunned. Her brothers were correct—he had no interest in her.
The rejection felt like a slap to the face.How could I have been so delusional?All the signs that she had picked up as interest were nothing more than just a figment of her own imagination. Suddenly, the room felt as though it was closing in on her, and her feet began to act of their own accord.
I need to get out of here. Get a breath of fresh air.
The cold air slapped her face, but it was a welcome change as she stepped out of the mansion and out into the gardens. It was not appropriate for a lady to be roaming out into the gardens without a chaperone, especially at night, but she needed to be alone right now. She would rather have the earth open up and swallow her whole instead of facing her brothers, who had been just proven right.
“What am I going to tell Isadora and Daphne?” Violet rubbed a hand across her face. Violet had never read a situationthis wrong before. Lord Kembert was the furthest thing from interested, and it seemed thateveryoneexcept for her could see it.
In her embarrassment, she ventured further and further into the garden. At least here no one would bother her. It was just her and her storms of emotions.
Or at least that’s what she thought.
Crunch.
Violet spun around, her heart leaping into her throat as she searched the shadows for the source of the sound.Perhaps it is just an animal,she consoled herself. But the crunch turned into steady footsteps until finally, a pair of arms held her steady at the waist and pulled her back. A low voice whispered near her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
“Found you, little rabbit.”
CHAPTER 3
“Letgoof me.”
Violet thrashed wildly against the strange grip that had just been placed upon her. She screamed as loud as she could, using all her might to push back against his intruder. But before she could bellow out another shriek, the same hands clamped against her mouth.
“What the devil—!” the voice barked, and Violet bit him. He retracted his hand with a yelp. “Can youstop?I am not here to cause you harm.”
The voice was equal parts irritated and confused. Now that she had some distance, Violet began to make out the face under the dim moonlight. Her breath caught as she recognized him. “Your Grace?”
