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“My lord,” Baine said, shifting to stand beside me. “I suggest you move to a more private location if you wish to continue this conversation. There are nobles nearby.”
The shadows receded, and Lord Demious smiled. “Of course. Where are my manners. “Let us walk.”
I didn’t want to go anywhere with this man. His hand on my arm made me shiver with fear, and I desperately needed to be free of his grip. Trembling, I focused on holding back the tears, feeling helpless without my flame to protect me.
“I am not an evil man, Miss Hawk. My wife will be an equal to me.”
His words did nothing to remove the vileness of feeling his magic crawl up my nose. I wanted to bathe and let hot steam flush out his lingering stench.
“Lord Demious!” A huffing servant, the one who attended me inside, came running. “Your presence is required in the drawing room. Lord Harrington and the others have arrived.”
“I’ll be right there. Tell them to wait.” Demious took my hand, his fake smile widening. “You may enjoy the gardens. When you’re finished, Baine will see you back to the ballroom.”
He planted a kiss on my fingers, the touch sending a wave of nausea through me. “Good night, Rosalie. I expect us to have more time together, tomorrow.”
Once Demious had ventured far enough away, I turned and walked toward the garden maze, desperate for privacy and a moment to think.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Baine grabbed my arm.
I turned and stared at the hand holding me in place.
“For a walk.” With a tug, I ripped my arm out of Baine’s grasp and picked up my dress.
Demious said we could wander during the day, but there was never enough time. I had wanted to explore the maze since arriving and now seemed like the perfect time. If I didn’t focus on something other than what that man just did to me, I would scream so loud, every creature in Farrow’s Gate would run away.
The entrance started underneath an iron gate with wild vines. The trimmed hedges were about eleven feet high. I turned inside, gripping my dress. Though most of the maze held nothing but bush, a turn here led to a secret sculpture of an animal, another turn brought me to a door leading nowhere, another held a bunch of wild roses, the perfect spot for a secret kiss.
But after the tenth or thirteenth turn, I panicked.
The maze didn’t seem that large outside. Why couldn’t I find an exit or the center?
The next pathway led to a fork. I turned right.
Dead end.
I swiveled around and retraced my steps, but I hadn’t paid attention to where I’d walked.
“Baine?” I called out, knowing he had to be close.
Did he follow me in here? I can’t take any more surprises tonight.
Night stars replaced the pink and purple sky. Clouds rolled in covering the moon. How long had I been out here? A breeze rustled the leaves on the bushes.
“Baine?” This time I whispered his name, suddenly afraid he hadn’t followed me inside this tricky labyrinth, and I was lost. “Please, tell me you’re here.”
Somethingswooshedby me, sending my dress twirling. I turned but saw nothing.
My heart raced. I had to get out of here.
“Baine!”
“I’m here.”
I jumped at the sound of his voice by my ear. “Don’t scare me!”
He narrowed his gaze and that smoldering look set my already heightened body on fire. “I thought you might like to walk alone.”
We were a foot apart, me glancing up into those light eyes.
