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

her slim waist then to the flare of her hips before moving over her curved bottom. He pulled her more tightly against him, wondering if she understood how much he wanted her.

He deepened the kiss despite the voice in his head that demanded he let her go.

Now was not the time or place. Nor did he think that would ever come. She deserved someone who was whole. Not a broken man who had returned from the war less than he had been. One who startled at strange noises, didn’t sleep through the night, and preferred to live as a rogue rather than deal with the demons that threatened to take him under. But he couldn’t force himself to release her.

Charlotte broke the kiss, and its end squeezed his heart.

“James?” she whispered, her arms still twined about his neck.

“Yes?”

“Will you meet me at Hyde Park the day after tomorrow? At seven o’clock again?”

“Yes.” He cursed himself for replying in the affirmative but didn’t take back his answer. At this moment, he was incapable of refusing her anything.

“Perfect. I look forward to it. And I should very much like to kiss you again then.” She pressed her lips to his briefly and drew her warm hand along his cheek before disappearing back through the garden door, leaving him alone once again.

He stood there for a long moment, attempting to gather his reeling thoughts that had little to do with the drinks he’d had.

Chapter Eight

Charlotte patted the sleek neck of her mare as she waited near the entrance of Hyde Park. Fog lingered in the low areas and a chill in the air made her grateful she’d worn one of her warmer riding habits.

Her thoughts had been filled with James since their kiss in the garden the night before last. But as the minutes passed and there was no sign of him, she began to worry if he’d forgotten their plan. Even worse, he might’ve decided not to come. If only he knew how much she appreciated their time together. Then again if he did know...

She halted her swirling thoughts and sighed. Her adventures meant little without him at her side. How that had come to pass so quickly, she didn’t know.

He’d made no secret of his mixed feelings about these adventures. But she truly believed they were as entertaining for him as they were for her. Except the last outing when they’d nearly been caught. If Edward had realized she was standing beside James at Madame Gaston's, he would’ve been livid with both of them. She certainly didn’t want to cause a rift between the two men she cared about.

Her breath caught at the realization. She truly did care for James. He was much different than he’d been before the war. But she admired the serious man he’d become as well. He cared deeply for others and acted with honor. How she wished he didn’t seem so unhappy when he thought no one was watching.

If he joined her this morning, she would ask for a less risky outing. Though she had a few ideas, she hadn’t decided what would fulfill her goal of collecting enjoyable memories but still be tame enough that James would agree.

Her groom, who sat on a horse a few feet away, cleared his throat. No doubt he thought that whoever she was waiting for wasn't coming, and they should proceed with their ride. But Charlotte wasn't ready to give up yet.

If James didn't meet her, she would simply find another way to reach out to him. She need only think of the risk he’d taken, throwing pebbles at her window to make certain she was well, for her heart to squeeze.

She dearly wanted to discover what caused the shadows in his eyes. Though she wasn't certain how much he would tell her, she hoped by asking questions, he would understand how much she cared.

Based on the comments of others, he wasn't the only man who had difficulty adjusting to life after time on the battlefield. Perhaps if she knew more about what he’d experienced or what bothered him the most about his memories, she could somehow help.

She checked her pin watch and realized he was a quarter of an hour late. That wasn't like him. She sincerely hoped this wasn’t the beginning of the end of their association.

With one last glance around, her heart heavy, Charlotte turned her mare toward the park, wanting to give them both a little fresh air and exercise before returning home. She had only walked her horse a short distance when the sound of hooves approaching caught her notice and James rode up alongside her.

“Good morning.” Her heart lifted at the sight of him despite his somber expression. “I’d given up on you.”

He glanced at the groom who followed them before looking back at her. “Despite my firm belief that I shouldn't join you, I decided I owed you an explanation at the very least.”

She didn't want to hear whatever he had to say. She already knew the reasons they shouldn't continue with their adventures. If any of her family discovered them, she would be in serious trouble. And there was always the risk of someone outside of the family recognizing them. Yet she couldn't bear to think of stopping. Not when these jaunts had already given her so much joy. Not when her future looked so bleak.

And not when it meant she wouldn’t have more time with James. The worry caught her breath. But she wouldn’t let him see that.

“What if I told you I wanted to go somewhere with less risk?” She glanced at him to see if there was hope of convincing him to reconsider.

He lifted a brow as if in disbelief.

“Our near-miss has made me more cautious. I should like to go somewhere new to both of us.”

A mixture of curiosity and caution filled his expression. “Such as?”

The fact that he’d asked rather than outright refused renewed her hope. “Have you ever visited the