Page 50 of Surrender

As he stepped forward, he heard Warrington invite Genevieve to enjoy the cooler temperatures on the patio. Theo sucked in a breath of outrage and stepped forward to counter Warrington’s improper invitation.

“I believe that would be inappropriate, and could damage Miss Rockwood’s reputation.” Theo made certain his voice was cold and ruthless as the man’s head turned to meet Theo’s icy glare. With a slight bow, Warrington offered him a polite smile.

“But of course. Forgive me, Lord Selbourne,” the man apologized, although Theo saw the calculated gleam in Warrington’s eyes. “I wasn’t thinking straight. Miss Rockwood has bewitched me with her beauty and charming personality.”

“Of that I’ve little doubt, Warrington,” Theo said with frigid politeness.

“You know my name,” the man said as his eyebrows arched with what might have been surprise. Theo suspected otherwise the moment Warrington narrowed his eyes in assessment.

“The Rockwoods are familiar with every man seeking the company of any unmarried ladies in our family.”

“I see.”

“I’m glad that you do,” Theo’s low response held a menacing note the man could only take as a threat of retribution if he chose to ignore the warning. “If you’ll excuse us, Genevieve owes me a dance.”

Theo offered his hand to Genevieve, who eyed him with cold antipathy as she placed her hand in his. Electricity shot up along his arm. The strength of it ignited a fire along every nerve ending in his body. He swallowed the knot that was trying to close his throat. The moment Theo pulled Genevieve into his arms, he felt her shudder, and he looked down at her, but she avoided his gaze, a blasé expression on her face.

“Warrington’s dangerous. You’re to stay away from him. And I don’t ever want you to be alone with him. Is that understood?” At his harsh order, Genevieve grew ridged in his arms, and scowled up at him.

“Is that because he’s truly dangerous, or is there some other reason for your autocratic command.” The sarcastic reply made Theo grunt with irritation.

“Vincent says he’s the Duke of Mowbray’s bastard grandson. We both agreed that if Warrington’s anything at all like his grandfather, ruining a woman is the least harm he can do,” Theo bit out in a grim voice. “And if he’s involved in Peter’s death, that makes him all the more dangerous. Now then, do I need to repeat myself?”

“No, I’ll be careful to avoid him.”

Genevieve’s placid agreement sent a rush of relief through him, and he closed his eyes for a brief instant, thankful that she hadn’t argued with him. Theo skillfully guided her past a couple in their way, his gaze returning to her face to see her blasé expression had fallen back into place.

Despite her chilly manner, holding her in his arms again made Theo feel as if he’d been given an unexpected gift. Soft curves warmed his body, and unable to help himself, he pulled her closer. She stiffened, but didn’t protest. Silence weighed down the air between them as Theo guided Genevieve around the floor in time to the music. When it was apparent she wasn’t going to initiate the conversation, Theo cleared his throat.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“One cannot avoid that which doesn’t exist, Lord Selbourne.” Cold, abrupt, and emotionless, her words were as sharp as a knife slicing into him. It was as if they were strangers, and Genevieve had taken an instant dislike to him.

“In other words, you’re trying to convince yourself that you don’t love me,” he murmured, hoping to rattle her.

“I’m not trying to convince myself of anything.”

Genevieve’s indifferent shrug of her shoulders called his bluff. Icicles could have been hanging in the air between them. Once more, he pushed to get a reaction from her.

“So, you’re not denying you love me.”

“I never loved you.”

Ice coated every word falling from her lips, and the chilly indifference on her face made her lie sound far too much like a harsh, genuine truth. Pain slammed into him as Genevieve’s denial caused an invisible band of fire to wrap around his chest.

If hurting him had been her intention, she’d succeeded. The strength of Theo’s reaction made his fingers unintentionally dig into her waist at what he knew was a lie. The moment she winced with discomfort, he relaxed his hand.

“It's now obvious we need to have a private conversation.” The grim note running through his words caused Genevieve’s impassive mask to slip for a second before it was in place again.

“We’ve said all that needs to be said, Lord Selbourne.” Her frost-filled words angered him as he stared down at her.

“No, there’s a great deal more to say, and I’ll be damned if I do it in public.”

“I told you we were done, my lord. I suggest you accept that fact, because I want nothing more to do with you.”

The cold, icy finality in her reply chilled him. He studied her features for a long moment, trying to see beneath the polite, composed mask she wore. Even her gaze was one of detached interest, and it was almost as if she were looking straight through him.

He could have been dancing with an automation for all the enthusiasm she displayed. Theo’s mouth tightened with angry determination. She was running again, and he didn’t know why. But he wasn’t about to let her run from what they shared. Somehow, he needed to crack her icy demeanor and reach the woman he knew existed behind the cold façade.