He still did not know who she was, however, he felt safe in assuming that she lived nearby. It was only a matter of time before they would cross paths again. And when next they met, he would discover her identity.
Perhaps he would even kiss her again. Once more, to sate his remaining lust for her before he pushed her permanently from his thoughts.
Despite herself, she could not hide her desire. Oh, she tried, but he could see through her tactics. The woman was captivating and far too sweet in her own tart way. He’d wager the tartness was born of a need to hide her true desires—the ones she held for him.
He needed to unravel her—had to discover who she was.
Perhaps Camden would know the woman’s identity? After all, it seemed reasonable to assume they may have crossed paths. Graham turned to his cousin. “I met a lady.”
Camden arched an eyebrow. “Already?”
“I actually met her at Alex and Daphne’s masquerade ball, but did not get her name, or a close look at her as it was a masquerade. However, when I came upon her yesterday, I instantly recognized her as the same woman. She has a penchant for... well, one would be hard pressed to forget her even if they had not seen her full face.” He cleared his throat. “I wonder if you might know who she is?”
Camden lifted one hand to shield his eyes from the bright sun as he scanned the bailey below. “Perhaps, but I would need a better description.”
An image of the woman seated in a tree with a plume of feathers hiding her face and one shapely ankle peeking from beneath her hem flashed through his mind.
His body tightened in response, and he exhaled a slow breath. What the deuce was wrong with him? It was as though she had bewitched him. He’d never before found himself so enchanted.
“Graham,” Camden prodded, “What does she look like?”
Graham swallowed, shaking the images from his mind. “She’s petite but shapely with rich, brown hair the color of chestnuts and…” He opened his eyes. “That’s her.” Graham pointed at a woman strolling across the bailey.
Camden’s eyebrows shot up in surprise before quickly furrowing in suspicion as he stared at Graham. “What are your intentions?” he asked.
Graham leaned forward, his heart racing. “So you know her.” He could feel the anticipation pulsing through his veins as he said, “Can you tell me who she is?”
“That is Lady Phoebe. My wife’s twin sister.” Camden stepped closer to Graham, his gaze boring into him. “Now, I will ask you again, what are your intentions?”
Camden’s revelation chilled Graham. It was as though Camden had dumped a pail of cold water over his head. Rebecca’s sister? Twins? He nearly groaned before pressing his lips together. The woman was more than off limits. There could be no more kissing. No more fantasizing. No more... anything. He could not touch her. He mostly certainly could not bed her.
But that did not mean he could not enjoy her company. What harm would come from getting to know her?
What was wrong with him? He had no wish to enjoy a woman’s company without getting under her skirts. At least, he never had before. Madness. It was the only explanation.
Camden took another step in his direction, and Graham quickly recovered. “I was merely curious. As I said, I did not get a good look at her during our first meeting and never got her name. She was a mystery—an enigma, nothing more.”
“Very well.” Camden clapped his hand on Graham’s shoulder. “See that you keep it that way.”
“Indeed,” Graham said with far more confidence than he felt. He’d be damned if he did not try to ignore the pull between him and the lady. Still, he could not deny the powerful urges he felt where she was concerned.
The pull toward her was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before—and completely forbidden. Devil take it. Something about her being forbidden made his blood heat all the more.
“Rebecca is expecting us inside for tea. Shall we?” Camden asked, a warning in his gaze that could not be ignored.
Graham attempted a measured smile. “After you,” he said with cool indifference, attempting to pretend that the idea of seeing Lady Phoebe did not exhilarate him.
As Camden led him into the solar, his eyes were immediately drawn to Lady Phoebe. She sat gracefully in a lavender gown, her head tilted to the side as she chatted with Rebecca. In one delicate hand, she held a porcelain teacup, the steam rising from its surface.
As their gazes locked, she straightened her posture and narrowed her hazel eyes at him before quickly shifting her attention back to Rebecca. Graham felt a strong desire to pull her close and erase the tension between them.
Rebecca stood, Lady Phoebe following. Gone was the scowl she had worn a moment prior. Now she appeared sweet and proper, not at all like the hellion he knew her to be.
“Allow me to introduce you to my sister, Lady Phoebe.” Rebecca glanced between him and her sister. “This is Camden’s cousin, His Grace, the Duke of Fairfax, Graham Beauchamp.”
Graham closed the space between them, reached for Lady Phoebe’s hand, and brought it to his lips. He brushed a soft kiss against her knuckles before releasing her fingers with a faint smile.
It was clear that she wished to keep their prior meetings a secret. Very well. He would play along—for now.
