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

head back to gaze up at the night sky, only to realize doing so caused her head to spin even more.

“Are you certain you only had one glass of champagne?” he asked as his tall form loomed over her.

“Yes. Just the one you handed me.” She hadn’t wanted to endure another day plagued by an aching head such as she had last time so limited herself. “Thank you for escorting me outside.” If he hadn’t, she feared she might’ve collapsed, which would’ve been terribly embarrassing.

Her cheeks were uncomfortably hot and no matter what she did, she couldn’t seem to gain her bearings or her breath.

“The pleasure is mine. I only want you to feel better.”

“I just need another moment.” Though she hoped Lady Barbara would join them, the woman had been oblivious to Charlotte’s discomfort.

“Of course.” Lord Palmer guided her deeper into the garden. “Why don’t we find a bench so you can rest?”

Given the weakness in her legs, Charlotte nodded, thinking that would be a wise notion.

“There’s one just ahead.”

Charlotte peered into the darkness, not seeing anything but bushes. “Are you certain?” She pressed a hand against her stomach, wondering if she was going to be ill.

“Allow me to help you.” Lord Palmer placed his arm around her waist, holding her much too close. The heat of his body was unwelcome, his grip on her waist too tight.

Alarm bells sounded in her head but only served to add to her reeling thoughts. “On second thought, I would prefer to remain by the door.”

“Nonsense,” the lord said as he pulled her forward. “You’ll feel better after you rest.”

Not with him at her side, she knew. She dug in her heels and halted, stepping away from him. “Please stop. Let me be.”

“I’m trying to aid you.” The edge of anger in his tone made her even more uncomfortable.

“How kind of you,” she managed, “but I am already feeling better.” Could he see that she lied? Yet now her heart pounded for an entirely different reason—fear. Especially when he blocked her attempt to return to the door.

“I insist we find a bench.” He reached for her again, grabbing her arm painfully.

She attempted to pull free to no avail. “Release me,” she demanded, but even to her ears, her tone sounded weak. Perhaps because she felt weak. A glance around showed no one nearby. She shouldn’t have come outside without someone else besides Lord Palmer. If only Barbara had accompanied them.

“My dear, there is no need to play coy.” Lord Palmer took off his mask then hers and tossed them aside before taking hold of her waist with both hands. “I sense the attraction between us.”

“No, you don’t.” Charlotte shoved at his hands, trying to gather her thoughts and her strength so she could escape.

“Oh, but I do.” He drew her roughly against his length then wrapped his arms around her. Before she knew what was happening, he leaned close to kiss her.

She turned her head to the side, pushing against his chest. “Let go.” She tried to stomp on his foot but her gown tangled about her legs. Panic clawed at the back of her throat as he kissed her cheek, then the line of her jaw.

“You want this as much as I do. Don’t deny it.”

“No, I do not.” Charlotte struggled harder, but he shifted to pin her arms against her sides. “Stop this at once.”

He only chuckled. “I appreciate your spirit. But Barbara told me you disappeared with Redmond at Vauxhall Gardens. You’ll find me preferable to him. Rumor has it that he’s scared of his own shadow since he left the army.”

“How dare you.” Charlotte silently cursed the lord and his sister. She shouldn’t have come to this party. She never should’ve trusted them. If only James were here. The thought of him brought tears to her eyes.

“Come, my dear. Let me have a taste of you.” He released one of her arms to squeeze her breast painfully and attempt another kiss.

Suddenly she knew what to do. “I’m going to be sick.” She forced herself to stop fighting.

Lord Palmer stilled, his mouth against her cheek. “What did you say?”

“She said she’s going to be sick.” The deep voice was achingly familiar and welcome, even if he did sound angry. “Release her.”

Lord Palmer loosened his hold enough that she managed to turn her head to see James standing nearby. But Palmer didn’t let go. “This is none of your affair, Redmond.”

“I disagree.” James glanced at Charlotte as if to see if she was all right then took another step closer. “The lady asked you to stop. What part of that don’t you understand?”

Lord Palmer chuckled. “It isn’t what you think. She wasn’t feeling well. I’m merely helping her.”

Charlotte shoved at Palmer’s hands again and gained her freedom at last. Relief weakened her already wobbly knees as she took a step closer to James, who reached for her hand and pulled her behind him.

“She would’ve collapsed without my assistance.” Palmer held both hands out, palms up, a smile on his thin lips. “Surely you can see that my intentions were honorable.”

“Liar,” James countered. Before Charlotte realized his intention, he struck Palmer in the jaw, sending him reeling.

Palmer caught his balance and placed a hand to his face. “Damn you, Redmond. You’re going to pay for that.”

“How so?” James took a step closer, his hands at his sides as if to encourage him to strike back. Palmer was taller but there was no doubt in her mind that James would easily defeat him. Yet still, a shiver of fear ran through her as she watched the two men eyeing each other.

Palmer lunged forward, reaching for James. James shoved aside his hands then landed another blow into Palmer’s ribs. The man fell to his knees, holding his side as he moaned.

“James?” Charlotte placed a hand on his arm, shocked at how rigid he felt, a testament to the extent of his rage.

“The next time I hear of you attempting to force Lady Charlotte