THREE
Blaze was living adream.
Unfortunately, what happened this evening must remain a dream. But at least she was dancing in Colt’s arms and flirting with him, as she’d always wanted to do. However, just like Cinderella, the dream would be over at midnight, and she would return to her role as his friend. Cleopatra would fade into the night, just as the Egyptian woman’s history had done.
The dance ended before Blaze was ready for it to be over, and Colt walked her away from the middle of the barn with her hand still hooked around his elbow. She enjoyed the way he smiled at her, but she doubted he knew who she was. He would talk to her differently if he knew her real identity.
“I must admit,” she continued in her fake accent, “that you dance very well for claiming to be not much of a dancer.”
“It must be because of my dance partner.”
“I’m quite sure it wasn’t, because I know I have two left feet.”
He chuckled. “And yet you fit into my arms perfectly.”
Her heartbeat accelerated. It had been doing that since she saw him coming toward her. She had to dress this way only because she didn’t want Colt to know who she was. After all, his childhood friend would never be seen in a gown that clung to her every curve in such an alluring fashion.
She swallowed hard, trying to add moisture to her dry mouth, but it didn’t seem to be working the way she’d hoped. “Yes, dancing with you was quite nice.”
“So, tell me... Madame Cleo.” He paused. “Is it all right if I call you that?”
She nodded. “You may. Shall I call you Bandit?”
“I’m actually partial toSirBandit.” He chuckled. “But my dear Madame Cleo, tell me something about yourself that I don’t already know.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. How could she be truthful and yet still relate it to the historical figure that she represented? “People of Egypt see me as a ruler, but they don’t know me at all. I hide behind a facade. I’m really not that strong-willed, and there are times I get very lonely. Many times, in fact.”
“I understand that very well.” He caressed her hand, still resting on his arm.
“People believe that I have many beaus, but my heart only belongs to one man.”
A ragged sigh came from him as he stepped closer. “I now wish my name was Mark Antony.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Sir Bandit, would you find me brazen if I confessed that I think you are much better than Mark Antony?”
One of his eyebrows arched way above his mask. “I find brazen women very entertaining. But I do think you’re right. The Mark Antony I recall reading about convinced the women he loved to run away and kill themselves when times became hard.” He shook his head. “I’m not that kind of man. My whole life has been difficult to bear because I’m a wanted man.” He motioned to his mask. “Which is why I keep my face hidden. However, I love life. I believe if someone is unhappy, it’s because they have chosen that pathway. The road to happiness is finding what you love and doing all you can to obtain it.”
Her chest squeezed with uncertainty. Doing what he’d suggested was easier said than done. She would marry a stranger soon, but it was the choice she had to make in order to take care of the family who was trying to take care of her. Sadly, she couldn’t marry Colt because he didn’t believe in settling down.
“I couldn’t agree with you more.” She tried to keep her voice steady when it threatened to break.
Silence passed between them again, and she tried not to stare at him as if he was the most remarkable, handsome man in the world. And yet, looking at the people who were dancing just wasn’t holding her interest.
“Madame Cleo, would you like to dance with me again? Or...”
“Or?” She quickly encouraged him to continue his thought.
“Or would a stroll outside under the night’s garden of twinkling stars be more to your liking?”
She now understood what the historical women meant when they said they hadswooned. “Some fresh air does sound good right now.”
He pulled her arm closer to his as he escorted her outside of the barn. The stars sprinkled the dark sky, making the moment more thrilling. She didn’t know how far to take this game, but she enjoyed it too much to end it now.
“Madame Cleo?” he asked once they were far enough away from the barn. “Is there anything about me that you’d like to know?”
Blaze wanted to laugh, but bit her bottom lip to keep it from bursting out of her mouth. What didn’t she know about him? She knew his favorite color – baby blue, the color of his eyes. His favorite food was fried fish. He liked to ride his horse and rope cattle... at least he had when he was younger.
“What do you do for a living?” After the words left her mouth, she wondered why she’d asked that. She already knew he didn’t want to work with his father.
