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A thread of panic wove into her voice, and her chest lifted on a ragged breath.
William arched a brow, wondering what she would do in this instance. No doubt run away or descend into hysterics. The lady glanced around the gardens, teeth worrying the flesh of her bottom lip.
“Oh, drat. What would Theo do?” she muttered, gripping the skirt of her ball gown. “Perhaps I should hide the body.”
William choked on the air.Hide the body?That was hardly a reaction he anticipated from any young lady. A rush of admiration for her mettle and sheer outrageousness filled him.
Who are you?
William made his way toward the side entrance using another stone path, so she did not detect his presence. Upon spying a footman, he beckoned him over. “My good man, procure me a bucket of ice and then discreetly set it by the stone bench by the maze.”
The servant nodded and beamed with pleasure when William tossed him a sovereign. He returned to the outrageous chit, almost laughing to see her gripping the viscount by the foot and tugging him with her strength. The man did not budge. With a huff, she dropped his foot with athunk.
“Have you ascertained he is really dead?”
A muffled shriek left her as she spun around to face him, stumbling back in her alarm.Bloody hell. She was…indescribably lovely. William’s heart kicked with a powerful lurch inside the cage of his chest, and he smoothed his expression into indifference.
“You startled me, sir!” she gasped, pressing a hand over her breast.
“I admit I could have been more obvious in my approach,” William murmured.
Her gaze roved over him as she took in the detail of his appearance. The soft hollow of her throat jerked, and he gathered her pulse was racing. She had a petite, dark-haired, wild beauty that would not resound with many who only considered those with pale hair and cherub rosy cheeks beautiful. Her eyes were the loveliest shade of blue…almost like lavender. She was also younger than he had first surmised. Her face was delicately carved, her mouth full, her nose dainty. Her hair was a rich, raven black twisted in an elegant chignon with loose tendrils softening her face. This chit could not possibly be over eighteen years.
A cold rage filled him when he recalled her accusation against the viscount.The damn blackguard. William then considered how his presence might seem to her, given he was larger and broader than the viscount, and they were very much alone in the secluded gardens. He took a careful step back. “It was not my intention to frighten you. I merely thought you might want help to hide the body.”
Her eyes widened so much he thought she might faint.
“Come now,” he murmured with some amusement darting through his chest, “You were so magnificent and defiant earlier. Never say you are about to faint now.Tsk.”
Her eyes accurately flicked to the darkened alcove to the side, and then the prettiest blush pinkened her cheeks. “Youeavesdropped, sir,” she said accusingly.
“Oh?”
“A gentleman would have removed himself the instant he happened upon a private meeting.”
“I’ve been sitting here for at least an hour, my good lady. I believe it was you who intruded on my privacy.”
She stared at him as if undecided. “May I ask who you are?”
He dipped into a brief bow. “Marquess of Trent at your service.”
She immediately dipped into a curtsy, and William could see the increase in the wild fluttering of her pulse at the hollow of her throat. How truly delicate…even ethereal she appeared. Astonishing that she had felled a man the size of the viscount and had done it with such admirable ease.
“My lord, I implore you to be discreet about what you…overheard and witnessed.”
“Of course.”
Relief softened her stance. “Thank you, my lord!”
“I do mean to help you get rid of the body. We can call this mutually assured discretion. Should I tell anyone after the fact, I would be a clear accomplice.”
A startled sound escaped her. “You would help me?”
“Yes.”
“There is no hesitation in you, my lord,” she said with a small frown.
William allowed a small smile to touch his mouth. “I am a generous man.”
