Page 66 of Brigand

They hadn’t had a chance to speak all evening. She’d beensurrounded by people from the minute she and Kaitlin descended the staircasefor dinner.

And when he’d arrived with his charming friend William, whenshe’d seen him, she’d been speechless. He arrived in the first stare offashion, dressed like a gentleman—with his beard scraped away and his broadshoulders barely confined in the lines of an elegant tailcoat. The snowy stocktied in an elegant fall at his neck enhanced the lines of his handsome face.She didn’t dare peruse his skintight trousers.

Quite a departure from the gruff, uncivilized brigand whohad held her in his arms. But she liked it. She liked them both.

It had been quite disappointing that he avoided her allevening.

But now he was coming over.

“Miss Wyeth. Would you honor me with the next—” The dandy ather side toppled a bit as Ewan bumped him aside. “I say!” he protested, butViolet barely heard. The blood was thrumming in her ears. She gazed up at Ewan.Oh heavens. Had he really been so tall?

He bowed over her hand with impressively perfect form. “MissWyeth. Would you care for a turn?”

The men around her grumbled and protested but Violet paidthem no mind either. She waved her fan. “It is rather warm.” He offered hisarm. She stared at it in shock. Then she looked up at him and laughed. “You’vebeen practicing.”

His lips tweaked. “Indeed.”

Together, and oblivious of everyone else, they strolledtoward the French doors. Though, in truth, Violet wanted to run. She couldn’twait to be alone with him. There was so much she wanted to say.

Instead of those things, she settled on small talk. “How arePip and Jessie?”

Ewan gaped at her. “Pip and Jessie?”

“I hope they are well.”

“Yes. Of course they are well.” They dodged a young buck whostaggered into their path. Ewan shot him a glare.

“You didn’t leave them alone on that beastly island?”

“Was it beastly?”

“It was rather desolate. And…Craig—”

“I turned him out. He’s no longer there.”

Relief swamped her. “And Morna? Is she well?”

“Yes. She’s fine.”

“Because her bones ache when it’s cold, you know.”

He sighed. “They’re all fine. Violet. Why are you frowning?”

“I worry about them. I do hope you’ll take care of them.”

His chin firmed. “I take care of my own.”

She thought of what he had done for Sophia, all he had donefor Sophia, and something swelled in her heart. He did. He did take care of hisown.

A cool breeze kissed her cheeks as she stepped out onto the terrace.She hadn’t realized how warm she’d become—either from the dancing, or from hispresence at her side. Several couples ambled along the stone flagstones butEwan led her down the steps and into the garden.

She didn’t resist but she did feel pressed to say, “Surelywe should stay within sight of the doors.”

He merely glanced at her and led her deeper into theshadows.

“Ewan—”

Whatever she had been going to say was obliterated when hespun her around and sealed her mouth with his, silencing her with a ferociouskiss. She nearly swooned as the taste of him flooded her senses. God, she’dmissed this, missed him. Everything, his touch, his kiss…his smell. It was likelaudanum. A deep, clawing need.