To Dare a Rogue - Lana Williams (novels for beginners TXT) 📗

Ire filled him at the idea of being played so easily. “You jest.”

“Not at the moment, though I’ve been known to do so on more than one occasion.” She raised a brow as if daring him to refuse to accompany her.

“I could tell your brother of your plans.” Surely she wouldn’t realize he was bluffing. Few ever did, especially when he was playing cards.

“But you won’t.” Her confidence astounded him. As if sensing his shock, she added, “If you did, I would have to share our visit to the museum.”

“Why would that be so terrible?” Did she refer to just the outing and not their kiss? Though he worried if either of them would be acceptable to Edward.

“Then you might have to explain the ride in Hyde Park.” Her logic eluded him, but he wasn’t thinking straight.

“Palmer is the last person with whom you should go anywhere.” On that topic, he knew he held the higher ground.

“Then you agree to take me?” Satisfaction glinted in her eyes.

“No.” The woman was impossible. Why had he sought her out this evening? Yet he couldn’t deny her appeal or the way he felt so alive when he was with her.

“So I should find Lord Palmer?” She shook her head. “James, you truly should make up your mind.”

He wanted to growl in frustration as the dance took them apart once more. It was impossible to have a meaningful conversation while dancing, though at least he had a few minutes to gather his thoughts for his next argument.

They joined hands once more.

“Well?” she prompted him.

“Is there another museum you’d enjoy visiting?”

“No.” She didn’t hesitate.

“Another ride in Hyde Park?”

“We already did those things.” She glanced about as if to make certain no one listened. Even if they did, surely they could make no sense of the disjointed conversation. “We shall take every precaution. I have no wish to be caught any more than you do.”

“Why does that not reassure me in the least?” He had the sinking feeling he was losing this battle.

“I have no idea.” She sounded as if he were the one being unreasonable. “I shall wear a disguise.”

He leaned close to catch her whispered words, and her sweet fragrance sent a pang of longing through him. He forced himself to concentrate on the topic at hand before he completely lost his hold on the conversation. “I cannot imagine one effective enough to disguise your gender.”

She drew back to meet his gaze with sparkling eyes the color of a stormy sea with a hint of the sun on the horizon. “Should I take that as a compliment?”

“It was meant as a warning.” His exasperation knew no bounds.

“Oh.” Disappointment coated the single syllable. Her lips pursed, revealing a glimpse of her dimples.

Good heavens. He was in over his head with the lady.

Several minutes passed in silence as they continued dancing, giving James hope that she would see reason. The music ended at last, and he offered his arm to return her to her mother.

“Tomorrow evening?” Charlotte asked. At his stony silence, she continued, “Or would you prefer I ask Lord Palmer to accompany me?”

“No.” The very idea chilled him to the bone.

“No to which?” Irritation colored her question.

Good, he decided. That made two of them who were experiencing the emotion. He clenched his jaw, unable to consider Palmer as her escort ever again. Nor did he care to advise Edward of what she’d been doing in fear of jeopardizing their friendship. “I will accompany you for a brief visit there. But if I should decide the danger is too great, you agree to leave immediately—without protest.”

“Agreed.”

Despite her acceptance of his demand, James had no doubt he had not only lost the battle but possibly the war. As he offered his elbow and they moved toward her mother, a well of anticipation struck him. Damn if he wasn’t looking forward to the outing.

~*~

Charlotte tugged at her tight-fitting trousers as she waited by the mews behind her house. James was to pick her up in his carriage any moment. Competing feelings of excitement and nerves made it difficult to breathe. She had managed to find an old outfit of Edward’s in a trunk in the attic. Though slightly out of date, it fit well enough. The shoes weren’t overly large but were uncomfortable compared to her normal slippers. Still, she didn't think they would need to walk far. A black top hat completed the ensemble, hiding much of her hair.

Her mother thought she was at Margaret's house this evening. Though she didn't completely approve of their friendship as she preferred Charlotte to have friends who could be of benefit in some way, she hadn't discouraged her from going. Lady Wynn was most likely eager for an evening at home with a glass of wine or something stronger for company.

As the minutes passed and James still didn’t arrive, Charlotte began to worry if he’d changed his mind. Though she was indeed curious as to what the inside of a gaming hell looked like and what happened there, she was just as excited at the idea of spending time with James.

Heaven forbid if her father found out. Her mother had reported favorably to him about the brief interaction she’d had with Lord Samuelson. Otherwise, she was certain her father would have had another conversation with her about the importance of her soon-to-be relationship with the man. Unfortunately, she hadn’t had time to find a way to cause the lord to lose interest in her.

Would she have fewer misgivings about Lord Samuelson if not for James? It was impossible not to compare the two and find James preferable in every possible way. The less she dwelled on that, the better off she’d be.

The dark shadows around the mews had her glancing about warily. Things here looked so different at night. It was hard not to imagine someone lurking in a corner waiting to reach out and grab her when she wasn't watching. She shook her head at