“To apologize?”
He nodded. “And to know her better.”
“Why?”
He grinned at the question. “Because I find her intriguing. I’ve never met anyone like her.” He gazed into Rosalind’s eyes, hoping she would see his sincerity.
Her chest rose as her mouth opened a hairsbreadth and she breathed in.
Unable to help himself, he dropped his gaze to her lips, almost sure they were the ones he’d kissed…almost.
A voice on the other side of the column disturbed his thoughts, reminding him why he hid. He put his finger to his lips, hoping Rosalind would understand.
“I can’t find him. Could he be back in the billiard room?”
“Damned if I know, Durham. There’s such a crush in here, I’m happy for any excuse to leave. You stay here and I’ll go look.”
Christopher feared his friends disturbing the progress he’d made with the lady before him, so silently he pointed over his shoulder and offered his arm to her.
For a moment, she just stared at it as if she’d never been escorted anywhere. Or maybe she thought better of his company, even though she remained masked.
He held his breath as she looked past him at what was sure to be Manning and Durham. Then she lightly rested her gloved hand upon his bared arm. Relieved, he walked them calmly toward the terrace doors, anxious to remain out of sight of his friends. When he reached the terrace, her hand started to slide from his arm. Quickly, he grasped it and held it. “Come outside with me.”
She shook her head. “That’s hardly proper.”
“True, but who would know who you are?”
She looked over her shoulder at the filled ballroom. Whoever she sought, her chaperone, perhaps, must not be in view, because she gave a slight nod and allowed him to escort her outside into the coldJanuary night. They were barely three steps outside before she tugged her hand from his arm and he let her go.
“I do not know you, sir, and will not risk my reputation for you.”
“I understand. I simply wished to continue our conversation in a place my friends may not look.”
“Ah, and so this is why you hid among the stars, or should I sayhideamong the stars.” She lifted her hand up to indicate the sky, the gesture pure, natural grace.
He appreciated her quick wit. “It is. As I mentioned, I’m in search of a mystery lady, but my friends would prefer I partake in billiards, drink, and political conversation. I have but the rest of this night to find the lady and make my contriteness known, so I have no time for them.”
“I do see your dilemma, but am I not also a distraction from your purpose?”
He gave her a soft smile. “Indeed you are, and a very pleasant one at that. But I also believe you still may help me identify said lady.”
“I see.” Rosalind looked up at the sky. “Our hostess would compare your mystery lady to a star constellation. However, I would suggest that as it is Twelfth Night, you may wish to heed Shakespeare’s lesson in his play of the same name.”
Immediately, he thought about the complex love story of the Bard’s comedy. In the play, Viola disguised herself as a page to a duke, only to fall in love with said duke. If he remembered it correctly, as his specialty was the classics and not literature, she may have just validated that she was in fact his mystery lady and had indeed changed her costume. “I appreciate your advice, as it shows a true caring about my person. I can only hope that my mystery lady is much like you.”
“Of that, I doubt very much. Since I have not found you anything but a gentleman in our conversation, I cannot imagine what you may have done to search so diligently for her to be absolved.”
Her words were like an invitation. He would know with a clearcertainty if he were granted another kiss. “Then allow me to demonstrate. You could tell me if it is the lady or myself who is wrong in our assessment.”
She appeared to tense. “Your suggestion has little merit, as an affront is personal and not debatable based upon multiple opinions.”
Surprised by her insight, he gave her a nod. “Your observation is quite correct. However, I find myself wishing to knowyouropinion, as you seem much more adventurous than my mystery lady.”
Rosalind scanned the area, then, as if making up her mind, she gave one hard nod. “You may demonstrate and I will share my opinion with you.”
His heart swelled in triumph. She knew! Only a woman who knew he had given her a kiss would look about to be sure she wasn’t seen. Why else would she do so? Rosalindhadto be his mystery lady, which meant he’d already apologized. And now, now he would prove it.
He stepped up to her and cupped her cheek. When she didn’t jerk away from his touch, he spoke. “This is what I did.” Even as his mouth touched her soft lips, the scent of vanilla filled his nostrils. He begged entrance with his tongue, and as she opened for him, he tasted her and knew.
