Charlie grinned in response. He was teasing me, but I did not care. This was exactly what I wanted. “Then he would whisper something in your ear about how perfectly beautiful you are, though if he was first-rate, he’d know you well enough to make you laugh first.” He winked, and the stupidest giggle bubbled in my throat.
“Then,” he continued, his voice still raspy and deep. “He’d test the waters by moving even closer.”
Another half step, and my back was flush against the wall. His knees brushed against mine.
I thought I might faint, and he must have sensed it, for he tightened his hold on my waist. I looked up, trying to breathe evenly, and he leaned in. I could feel the heat of his breath and a palpable tension I wanted so badly to break. I wanted his lips, his touch, all of it closer.
This did not feel like a near-scandal anymore, nor mere friendship. It felt comfortable. Too comfortable. And I wanted it to be real.
Slowly, I lifted my hands and rested them on the buttons of his waistcoat. They were cool and smooth and heavy as I traced them, each one higher than the last.
Charlie’s eyes were dark and serious. His chest rose and fell faster with each passing moment, but he said nothing. Did he want this as badly as I did?
I slid my fingertips up under his lapels to his shoulders. Why did he not speak? I did not dare read his face. But I could not keep my hands from wandering over his strong shoulders.
“And then?” I asked. I knew he watched me, but I could not meet his gaze.
“Ros,” he whispered. His voice was husky and thick.
I tilted my face up and brushed my nose against his. He closed his eyes, moving his hand around my waist to my neck, trailing up to my cheek.
“I am not this man,” he whispered so near my lips I could almost taste his breath. But he was leaning in, and his other hand moved from the wall to my waist, teasing up my side. The alcove was warm, so deliciously warm, and I felt like a pool of lava under his touch.
“What man?” I breathed. My fingers curled into the nape of his neck.
“Not a man to kiss a woman engaged.”
Slowly, tenderly, he pulled back, and our eyes met. His lips closed, and he swallowed hard. His hands released me and fell limp at his sides.
My stomach clenched. I felt suddenly sick. This had all been a ruse. A near-scandal intended only to check off a number on my list. Charlie had promised to help me see things through, and, I, foolish and naïve, had completely lost my head.
My hands were still wrapped around his shoulders. What in heaven’s name was I doing? All at once, the faraway music and laughter grounded me back in the present, and I jerked back my hands and stumbled against the side wall.
“Well done, Charlie.” There was a painful lump in my throat. “That was incredibly convincing.”
“Ros—”
The space seemed to spin. I could not stop the tingling in my fingertips, the tightness in my chest, or the burning behind my eyes. My words spilled out without restraint. “You are really too good at scandalizing. I can only assume you’ve been in many alcoves before.”
“No.” He stepped back, scrunching his brows together. “Not at all. Ros, forgive me. I did not expect ... I mean I certainlywanted...” He averted his gaze, looking anywhere but my face. His cheeks were rosy with embarrassment.
What did I think would happen? Charlie would kiss me, and we’d fall in love, and suddenly he’d grow a title as good as the duke’s so we could truly run away together?
What utter nonsense. No. Charlie would go home. And I would marry Marlow. Anything less would ruin my family. It would break their hearts, their expectations, theirdreams.
I could not stay in that small space with Charlie’s unspoken words any longer. I ducked around him and, without a second glance, raced into the empty hall. Cool air brushed past my hot cheeks as I careened wildly around corners, not bothering to apologize when I cut off two men dressed as highlanders.
When I found the ballroom, I slowed my run to a fast walk, looking for Liza. I found her in the exact spot I’d left her.
She looked up as I approached and jerked up straight. “Rosalind, are you unwell?”
“There you are,” I said, catching my breath with my hands on my hips.
“Oh, do not fret over me.” She laughed, swiping a playful hand at her companion. “Mr. Cox has me quite entertained.”
The man gave me a smile with teeth as white as clouds. “Is that Mr. Charles Winston?” he asked suddenly, looking over my shoulder.
I stiffened and lifted my chin. I was not ready to face him—us.
