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her interest.
“He must have said something to you.”
“Actually, he said very little.” And that only fascinated her more. Damn Louisa for putting ideas in her head that didn’t belong there. Having an affair with a man she barely knew could only lead to trouble. Or so her mother had told her from the time she was seventeen. And yet, she couldn’t seem to look away as Mr. Raynerson crossed the room and picked up a glass of wine.
“Oh, look here comes Emma,” Louisa said, pointing toward the entrance to the room.
“She looks so beautiful,” Tessa commented. With her blond hair, blue eyes and petite stature, Emma was the epitome of the perfect lady this Season.
“I cannot believe our baby sister is now out.”
“And into a dark and dangerous group of young men from the looks of them,” Tessa added. Glancing about the room, the men, both young and old, couldn’t take their gazes off her youngest sister.
“They all look far too intent,” Louisa whispered. “I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I.” The only men not entranced by Emma appeared to be the two men staring at them both...Lord Blakely and Mr. Raynerson. And the idea of Mr. Raynerson staring at her sent a shiver of apprehension down her spine, though she had no idea why. Until she discovered more about him, it might be best to keep him at bay...if that was even possible. He appeared to be a very determined man.
And Tessa had an odd feeling that his determination had something to do with her. Was it possible that he wanted the same thing she wanted? She had to stop these dangerous thoughts before they led her into a dreadful mistake.
CHAPTER 3
Jack stalked the ballroom with his prey in sight again. After their one dance, he understood why Stanhope had wanted her as his wife. She bewitched a man with her beauty until all he could think of was her. But not Jack. He refused to succumb to her charms, bountiful as they were, but he could definitely partake of her delights if she were to offer them. Somehow, he had to devise a way to get closer to her...and more importantly, her home.
Befriend her? Perhaps.
Take her as a mistress?
That held a promise of passion for the both...and a perfect way to sneak through her home. Of course, he would have to get her to agree to such a liaison. He certainly could not ask her outright. They had only just met and their first meeting went far from perfectly. They had scarcely spoken to each other, and she believed he’d only danced with her on a wager.
He watched as she scanned the room before stealing out the French doors to the terrace. Now was a perfect opportunity to see how she would react to building a friendship. Making his way through the crush of people, he finally arrived at the doors. He slipped through the open door and then stopped to glance around for her, but she seemed to have disappeared. The terrace was deserted. While the garden was dark, it was the only possible place of refuge. Gravel crunched under his feet as he made his way down the path.
“I do find it extremely odd that you seem to be watching my every move tonight, Mr. Raynerson.”
Jack smiled and turned toward the sound of her lilting voice. A small bench surrounded by holly bushes had obscured his view of her in the moonless night. Only a few torches lit the path and the dim light displayed a woman attempting to hide from everyone. He took a few steps off the path and said, “Good evening again, Lady Stanhope. I did not realize you were out here as well.”
She laughed softly. “I sincerely doubt that, Mr. Raynerson. Why the sudden interest in me? I don’t believe we have met before tonight.”
“Indeed we have not, though I am not certain why. I may not be at all the balls and soirees of the Season, but I certainly have attended my fair share over the past ten years. How is it that no one introduced us before now?”
“I believe we may associate with a different crowd.”
That and three years of mourning, he supposed. He took another step closer until the redolence of jasmine filled the air. He had noticed the same fragrance while dancing with her earlier. “Perhaps we should change that.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, we do have some friends in common.”
“Do we?”
“Of course,” he smiled broadly. “Blakely, for one. I believe he may even become like family to you soon.”
“Only if he can convince my sister that she is in love with him, and that may be an impossible feat.” She shifted on the bench.
“Might I sit and talk with you for a while?” he asked softly. Her manner was much like a wounded animal where any sudden movement would send her running back to the ballroom. A long pause followed until he was certain she would refuse him.
“Do you not fear my curse like everyone else inside?” she whispered in an aching tone.
He laughed. “No, my dear. I do not believe in curses.” He took her answer for yes and moved to sit beside her.
