Page 4 of A Rogue to Ensnare

Miles remained where he was. The combination of the breeze and music was perfect where he stood. From there he could easily move outside to evade anyone attempting to introduce him to what they deemed a suitable wife. There were none, of course, and never would be.

Across the room, he caught sight of Siobhan Blair, and his lips twitched as he caught himself readying to smile, lest anyone think he was actually enjoying himself, or considering engaging someone in a dance, himself. He watched as Siobhan danced with a young man whose name Miles could not recall but from the adoring glances the man gave Siobhan, was an ardent admirer.

Suddenly the young man’s face crumpled with a pained expression. He lifted a foot and hopped in a circle. Siobhan took him by the elbow and helped him hobble to the sidelines. Now, Miles could not contain his grin at her contrite expression as she peered down at the man’s foot. Then she appeared to make her goodbyes, leaving her lamed victim on the side of the dance floor. Miles’ merriment increased when she turned away from her former partner and he noticed the way the corners of her lips turned up. The minx! She’d stomped the poor man’s foot on purpose.

Then she began hurrying Miles’ way—maybe to the door, to make her own escape?

The mischievous woman did not catch sight of Miles until she was upon him. Her eyes grew wide as she attempted to move past him to the balcony.

“Am I in the way of your hiding place?” Miles asked, studying the beauty. “By all means, pretend I am not here.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I need fresh air. Nothing else.”

“May I escort you then?” Miles held up his arm, knowing the woman had no choice but to accept it.

Upon her hand sliding into the crook of his arm, there was a stirring within him. Silent alarm bells rang in his head, and he took a deep breath, then slowly released it as they walked forward.

As soon as they reached the stone banister, Siobhan let go of his arm and peered over the side, looking toward the garden with a wistful expression, her body leaning forward. “Do you like large social events, Lord Miles?”

Her question was a simple one, but for whatever reason it felt like a test. Following her line of sight, he noted that the Blair gardens were very large, with plenty of places to hide and seek solitude or other pursuits it was best not to think about at the moment.

“I do not. I prefer gatherings of a more intimate nature. Dinner with the family, for instance. Or drinks with a few of my friends.”

There was approval in her gaze. “Then you must understand what it is like for me, living here. Mother finds every excuse to host a party or ball. We host at least once a month.” She let out a huff. “I go to the modiste so often, she no longer takes measurements.”

“Is that why you have a reputation for causing mayhem?” he half-joked. Hers was a predicament indeed. If his family entertained that often, he would be put out as well.

She studied him. Like the time before when her icy-blue eyes had raked over him with interest. “You are a beautiful man. Why are you not married?”

Her bluntness caught him off guard, and he had to swallow to keep from choking on his drink. He recovered his composure and replied, “I am flattered you think so. I do not care for marriage.” Perhaps he deserved her query; after all, he’d also been as blunt with his own question. She was sharp in more ways than one, he thought with admiration.

“Hmm.” She shrugged. “Enjoy the festivities.” With that, she hoisted up her skirts to expertly climb over the short banister and hopped down to the garden. Without a backward glance, she scurried into the garden and disappeared.

It was as if she’d never been there. A most interesting creature, Siobhan was. A chuckle erupted from him as he considered her antics and the reasons for them.

“Lord Miles!” Amelia Blair, the older sister appeared. “I wondered where you’d gone.” She scanned the gardens. “Have you seen my sister?”

“I did, earlier.” His reply was not a lie, but neither was it the full truth.

Her pert nose in the air, she looked at him as if expecting him to carry the conversation. “You look lovely tonight, Miss Blair.” Miles attempted a polite expression, but probably failed. As they did for the minx who’d run into the garden, these balls, and the need to converse and be social made it feel like a prize fighter had a chokehold on his neck.

“Will you be joining the festivities or spending your time out here?” Amelia studied him with obvious admiration, judging by the way her eyes raked over his face and down to his chest, making him feel like a choice lamb chop. “Mother insisted I find you and allow you to sign my dance card.”

“Of course. It will be my honor to do so.” Though that was a lie, he had no choice. Social niceties required he be polite to his hostess whether it was sincere or not. Miles took the proffered card and pencil and scribbled in his initials.

When he returned the card, Amelia’s lips curved. It was only then that he saw the resemblance between her and Siobhan. Although Amelia was attractive, she was of a paler complexion, with golden highlights in her brown hair. Unlike her sister’s ice-blue eyes, Amelia’s were hazel. But the main difference between the sisters was the way Amelia held herself in very high regard, and it was obvious that she expected attention. It was also obvious that this sister loved the festivities her mother hosted by the way she constantly looked about the room with an excited expression on her face.

Meanwhile, Siobhan didn’t seem to realize—or care—how beautiful she was and instead, fled from a situation where she’d garner attention.

“Do you enjoy large social events, Miss Blair?” Miles asked the woman the same question Siobhan had asked him a few moments earlier.

Amelia leaned toward him, hand over her bosom. “I adore them. The opportunity to dress beautifully and enjoy people’s company and music is so exciting, is it not?” She didn’t wait for Miles to reply. “I cannot think of anything I enjoy more.”

Just then something seemed to catch the woman’s attention in the ballroom. Yet, she seemed reluctant to leave his side, so he made it easier. “I must see about my sister. May I escort you back inside?” He offered her his arm and led her back into the crowd.

Once there, he had no choice but to put his name on the dance cards of other young women, but only enough to satisfy his mother that he was indeed searching for a suitable wife. As soon as he could, he escaped outside to walk through the peaceful and quiet garden. He didn’t expect to run into anyone as the weather was cool enough that the ballroom remained comfortable.

He’d yet to see Siobhan again and he wondered if she’d snuck to her bedchamber for the evening.