“Move, you fool!”
Hands grabbed Evie, yanking her out of harm’s way. She was spun, and the thud of hooves sounded close and then galloped away.
Evie’s heart thudded as she became aware of the hard body holding her. Arms banded tight around her waist from behind.
“Are you all right?” someone rasped in her right ear.
“Yes. Th-thank you,” Evie said, stepping forward when the arms released her. Turning, she encountered a pair of amber eyes.Why him of all people?“I assure you I was moving out of the way, my lord. There was no need for you to grab me.”
“Not quickly enough, Miss Spencer,” Lord Hamilton snapped. “One would think by now you would have learned your lesson and looked where you were going.”
His bruise was fading now, but it simply added to the picture of a dissolute rake as far as she was concerned. Other than the night of the musical, she’d done her best to avoid him.
“You ran into me when first we met, Lord Hamilton. I concede I was in part to blame, but I will not take all of it.”
Unlike her, he looked his usual immaculate self, except his hair that was too long. Evie cursed herself for wearing one of her old dresses with a hem that was too short and worn boots. She should always be prepared to run into someone from society.
“Perhaps, if I may offer a suggestion, Miss Spencer?”
“I am, of course, all ears, Lord Hamilton. To receive advice from one such as you is surely an honor,” Evie said with zero sincerity, but a fake smile on her face.
“You are a mouthy woman.” His eyes narrowed.
“Forgive me,” Evie added quickly, realizing how churlish she was being. “Allow me to thank you for rescuing me, my lord.”
“Those words sounded like they were forced through a sieve,” he said, glaring down at her.
Evie slowly counted to ten before answering. She could be the better person here.
“Are you counting in your head, Miss Spencer?”
“I have apologized, my lord. Perhaps you could simply accept that and not question the delivery?” Evie gritted out, her smile strained. “After all, I’m sure there have been times in your life when you’ve apologized, considering how you live it?”
“And how do I live it?” His amber eyes were narrowed to mere slits now.
“I’m quite sure I don’t need to tell you,” Evie said and then sighed. “I have apologized, Lord Hamilton, and now I think we should continue to ignore each other.”
“Yet I question its sincerity.”
“Now, who is being petty?” Evie muttered, looking around her. She spotted Lord Hamilton’s hat just in time to watch a carriage wheel roll over it.
“Children are petty, as are silly young ladies. I am not.” The words came out a growl.
“Oh dear. It seems your manservant will have his work cut out for him, my lord,” Evie then added.
His eyes followed hers to where the black hat now lay flattened. A gust of wind had his thick dark curls ruffling in the cool London air. He returned his glacial gaze to Evie once again. She saw him then as others did. The dark lord many feared. A man who could crush her if he chose to do so.
“Evie!” Prue arrived before Lord Hamilton could speak, and she had to say she was relieved about that.
“I’m all right, Prue,” she said.
“Lord Hamilton saved you,” Prue added. “Thank you, my lord. It was a brave thing to do.” Her sister followed these wordswith a pretty smile, which made Lord Hamilton’s eyes narrow suspiciously.
Rat.How dare he look anything but pleased to see Prue. After all, she was the sweet Spencer. But then he rarely smiled at anyone.
“Miss Prudence Spencer.” He gave an insultingly shallow bow.
“My lord.” Prue curtsied, and Evie stayed upright, unmoving. He raised a single brow slightly at her. She dipped, with great reluctance, realizing that anyone could be watching and it would not do for the murmurs of Evie’s ill manners to circulate through the ton. His ill manners, however, were accepted, which was deuced unfair.
