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

or any woman to do anything, you won’t live to see the end of the day. Do I make myself clear?”

“You bastard,” Palmer managed from his position on the ground. “This isn’t over.”

“Actually, it is.” James reached out a foot and shoved Palmer’s hip, toppling him over. The crunching of glass sounded, and James bent down to pull aside Palmer’s suit coat. “What is this?” He lifted a bottle from the inside pocket toward the light to better see it.

“Laudanum,” Charlotte murmured, recognizing the bottle as it was the same one that sat on her mother’s bedside table. “Why do you have that?” She gasped as outrage filled her. “Did you put that in my champagne?” No wonder she’d felt so strange.

“You don’t understand,” Palmer insisted.

James jerked the man upright by his lapels and struck him again.

Palmer groaned in response, his head listing to one side as James gripped him.

“James, please.” She truly felt as if she were going to be ill after learning what Palmer had done. She only wanted to leave.

“Do not ever touch her again.” He shook the tall man. “Did you hear me?”

“Yes,” Palmer gritted out.

“Now leave through the garden before I drag you inside and tell everyone how worthless you are.” James shoved him into the bushes where Palmer remained for a moment before at last finding his feet and staggering into the darkness.

Charlotte pressed a shaking hand over her mouth, hardly able to believe what had occurred. She never wanted to see Lord Palmer again.

“Charlotte?” James’ quiet voice at her side was a welcome invitation.

She moved into his open arms. He held her tight, his warm embrace the perfect comfort only he could provide. His woodsy scent grounding her, easing her upset, righting her world.

“Are you all right?” he asked after a moment.

She nodded, keeping her face buried in the solidness of his shoulder. “Thank goodness you came along when you did.” She shivered at the thought of what might have happened otherwise.

“I’m pleased I did. Your threat to be ill might’ve been quite effective in stopping him.”

Charlotte managed a smile as she sniffed. “I will keep that in mind, though I hope never to find myself in this sort of situation again.” She leaned back to look at him, drinking in the sight of him in the dim light. “I’m not certain I could make myself ill on purpose.”

“We’ll hope you never have to try.” With a gentle touch, he brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Why did you come outside with him of all people?”

“I told his sister I wasn’t feeling well, and I thought she was coming as well.” She shook her head, still unsteady. “I suppose I should tell her that her brother won’t be returning. Oh, but my mask is back there.” She gestured toward the path they’d left.

“You won’t need it,” James said, tightening his hold on her waist. “You’re not going back in there.”

“But Lady Barbara—”

“Will have to find her own way home. That’s the price she can pay for the part she played in the deception.” He shook his head, his disgust obvious.

Charlotte bit her lip as another concern dawned. “Is Edward here?”

“Yes, but he was otherwise engaged when I last saw him.” He pulled his mask from his pocket. “You can wear this just to be certain you’re not recognized. We’ll leave through the garden to the street and find a hackney.”

Within moments, they were walking along the street toward the nearest cab stand. Charlotte looked about with trepidation, hoping they didn’t see Lord Palmer.

“What are you searching for?” James asked as he tucked her hand more firmly in the crook of his elbow.

“If Lord Palmer—”

“Do not mention his name.” But he glanced about as well. “He will have disappeared if he’s wise.”

“No doubt you’re right. Your message to him was clear.” She matched her steps to his as they rounded a corner, her hurt welling to the surface. “Your message to me was certainly clear.”

He paused mid-stride and turned to face her. “Charlotte.” He sighed. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. But you shouldn’t have come this evening. Terrible things can happen at parties such as this to women like you.” He brushed the pad of his thumb along her cheek and the urge to lean into his touch nearly overcame her.

“Women like me?” she whispered.

“Beautiful innocents who need to worry about their reputations.”

“Perhaps if I were ruined, I wouldn’t have to worry about marrying Lord Samuelson.” She shivered at the thought of him.

“Ruination isn’t the answer.”

“Then what is?” How she wished he’d tell her. She was willing to do nearly anything to avoid the current path her future was taking.

“I don’t know.” Then almost reluctantly, he bent his head to kiss her.

A thrill swept over her when their lips touched, igniting passion in an instant. Her feelings were hopelessly entangled with this man. She’d thought of little but him the entire evening. He was the reason she’d downed the glass of champagne so quickly, for it had proven impossible to enjoy the party when he held her attention.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held tight as their tongues danced. The welcome feel of his strong body pressed against her made her long for more.

“Redmond,” a voice called, breaking through the haze of desire that captured her so effortlessly.

“Damn,” James muttered beneath his breath. He shifted then turned to face the caller, blocking Charlotte from view.

“I wondered where you had gotten to,” the caller added.

Charlotte gasped as she realized the identity of the man—Edward. Of all the people who might’ve come upon them, why did it have to be her brother?

“You looked occupied so I thought I’d find my own way home,” James replied.

“I’m happy to offer a ride to you and your lady friend.” The amusement in her brother’s voice brought heat to Charlotte’s cheeks.

If only he knew who James hid behind him. Thank goodness she still wore the mask James had provided just in case Edward caught a