Her heart skipped a beat as she found herself staring into the intense, mesmerizing eyes of the rogue.
Two
Graham stared up at the woman perched high above and looking rather like a curious little bird in her flowing skirts and feathered mask. What the devil was she doing in the tree? And who was the lovely creature? He held out a hand as though he could reach her. “Allow me to help you down.”
The woman did not reply but continued to stare back at him, her face shielded behind a plume of white feathers. His curiosity grew more with each beat of his heart. Who was she? A guest from the ball to be sure, but what was her name? And why was she stashed away in a tree? “What are you doing up there?” he asked.
She wriggled on the branch, shooing him with one gloved hand. “Go away. Forget you saw me, and I shall do the same.”
“I cannot leave you up there. For all I know, you are stuck. A gentleman does not abandon a lady in need.” Even through the darkness he saw her eyes spark with annoyance. Or was it anger? Either way, she amused him.
“I need nothing you have to offer. If you are indeed a gentleman, you will leave me alone, as I have asked you to do.”
“Very well. Prove you are not in need of rescue and I shall.”
She peered down at him. “I have no reason to prove anything.”
“Oh, but you do.” He stepped back, his gaze trailing along the branches. He looked back up as he grasped a branch in his hands.
She watched in horror as he hefted himself into the tree. “Stop!” she called from her perch. “I will come down on my own.”
Graham fought the urge to continue his climb and dropped back to the ground, his gaze trained on the woman who now ascended the tree’s limbs. He should not give a damn about her reasons for being up there, but for some reason found himself to be most curious.
After all, it was not everyday one found a lady in a tree.
The chit’s sharp tongue combined with her having paid witness to his liaison with Lady Mulholland made her all the more intriguing. It would weigh on his mind if he did not discover her reason for being up there.
Besides, he preferred unraveling mysteries to dancing at balls. He folded his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels as he watched the woman slowly climb down.
She sent him nervous glances along the way. The closer she came, the more of her features he could make out. Graham remained at the base of the tree, ready to catch her if she slipped. All the while enjoying glimpses of her delicate ankles and shapely calves.
Every time the moon’s glow cast her in soft light, his gaze moved to drink in her trim ankles as they played peek-a-boo with her skirts. Before long, he gained a delightful view of her rounded bottom and the swell of her hips. She was a lovely creature indeed.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to ease the growing discomfort in his trousers. He ache to touch her, hold her, taste her. The urge was like a fire burning in his chest, consuming every rational thought.
As she drew nearer, he reached up and took her by the waist. In one swift motion, he had her feet planted safely on the ground. The heat from their bodies mingling in the air between them.
She glared at him, her hazel eyes surrounded with white plumes, quite striking in their intensity. “Why did you do that?” she demanded. “Why did you grab me?”
“It was the gentlemanly thing to do.” He smirked. “I could not allow you to jump from a tree.”
“I told you I could get myself down.” She placed her hands on her hips, but did not step away. “And let us stop pretending you are anything other than a scoundrel.”
“Can a scoundrel not also be a gentleman?”
“No.” Her eyes narrowed. “And I have nothing else to say to you.” She bobbed her head, then spun on her heels, and began marching away.
“Wait.” Graham hurried after her, his pulse erratic. “Why were you in that tree?”
She pivoted back, her curls bouncing. “Not that it is any of your business, but I was hiding from another of your ilk.”
He brought his hand to his chest. “You wound me.”
“My apologies.” She took a series of hurried steps. “But I am afraid your feelings are not my concern.”
Undeterred by her obvious desire to flee, Graham strode toward her. “Your tone in no way matches your words. You should work on lying if it is a practice you plan to engage in.” He grinned when she whirled back around, glaring at him.
She released a frustrated breath. “Very well. If it is the truth you wish for, then you shall have it.” She balled her fists at her sides. “You are the most vexing man I have ever had occasion to speak with, and I have no desire to further our acquaintance.”
