Romancing the Rogue (113 page)

As Ewan walked away from Grace he berated himself. He had almost kissed her on the dance floor! The scandal! He would have ruined her! As much as the thought appealed to him, he didn’t think she’d find it romantic. Regardless of how he would profess his love afterward, it would still be tainted. No, he must guard himself, lest he destroy everything he was trying to gain.

Looking over the room, trying to settle his aroused state after his waltz with Grace, he noticed Miss Jacobsen along the edge of the wall again, not too far away from where he stood. She hadn’t seen him — her eyes followed Shiply with unabashed longing.

With a quick stride, Ewan stood just behind Miss Jacobsen as she watched Shiply, hiding behind a few leaves of the palm.

“On whom are we spying?” Ewan asked, earning a surprised yelp and slight jump from Miss Jacobsen.

“Your grace!” she gasped, her eyes reflecting anger and embarrassment.

“A pleasure, Miss Jacobsen. If I may be so bold — why the secretive spying?” he asked while he nodded in Shiply’s direction. Miss Jacobsen blushed profusely before averting her eyes, either in avoidance of the question or in effort to think up a lie.

“Come now, Miss Jacobsen, we’re friends. Tell me the truth,” he urged gently.

“Are you so trustworthy?” she asked markedly.

“Of course!” Ewan responded readily.

“I remain unconvinced,” she replied dryly before she returned her gaze to Shiply’s form.

“Ah, then it seems I must guess.” He raised an eyebrow and gave her a small smile.

“Guess?” Miss Jacobsen asked, distracted by the young lady approaching Shiply. Ewan chuckled, amused at her antics.

“Yes, guess. Because, if I am correct, I believe we could be of great use to one another.”

“Oh?” Miss Jacobsen asked, turning her attention once again to him.

“Yes. You see…” Ewan began, pacing a bit to the side of the palm so it would hide him. “If you are after the affections of Lord Shiply, I would be more than willing to help in any endeavor to help you secure them. Although, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you it would be in your best interest to find a different suitor. He hasn’t the best of reputations.” He waited, holding his breath. He knew she deserved better than a rake such as Shiply, but at the same time, he knew it was quite possible that Shiply had indeed changed his ways. His courtship of Grace was proof, much to Ewan’s chagrin. Perhaps Miss Rachel knew something about Shiply that he didn’t.

“Shiply?” she asked, her eyes betraying her hope.

“Yes.” Ewan held his breath as he waited for her response.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she replied after a moment, with haughty indifference.

“Oh, I believe I do have an idea…” he began. “After all, you were watching him just a moment ago — though spying would be a better term.”

“I was not spying. Merely observing…” She stopped abruptly, as though she realized she had given herself away.

“Ah, you were saying?” Ewan teased, unable to control himself.

“Even if I
were
interested in securing the affections of Lord Shiply…” She paused, watching Ewan’s eyes for a reaction. “Why would I want or need your help?” she asked, placing her small hands on her hips.

“Do you see that woman over there?” Ewan nodded in Grace’s direction. She was standing next to another gentleman, who was speaking with Shiply.

“Yes, her. Lady Grace? The one he escorted here?” she asked, her eyes calculating.

“Yes,” Ewan affirmed with a nod.

“What about her?” Miss Rachel asked curiously.

“I love her.” The words were spoken before he thought them through, or their implications, but what was done was done.

“Good for you.” She nodded then returned her gaze to Shiply.

“I don’t think you understand.” Ewan waited, growing impatient.

“You don’t say?” she remarked, tossing him an irritated glare.

“Lord Shiply is trying to pay her court, but if we work together…” He waited for her to think for a moment. “I’ll do my best to keep Shiply away from Lady Grace so that you can have more of an opportunity to gain his attention, if you will do the same for me.”

Ewan waited, hoping he hadn’t made a fool of himself.

“You might have a good idea…” Miss Jacobsen regarded him, as though measuring his sincerity. She waited, clearly thinking over his plan and weighing her options. Ewan felt warm as he realized that he could have easily made an irreparable mistake.

“All right. I’ll do it. But… you may not tell him about our little alliance. Do you understand?”

“Of course! That goes without saying. What kind of fool do you think I am?” he questioned slightly offended. He paused for a moment before adding, “And I expect the same from you.”

“Of course.” She tossed him a glance that spoke of her irritation at his assuming anything else.

“Brilliant.” Ewan smiled as he began to formulate the plan in his mind. “Now, here’s what we’ll do…”

~~~~

Grace had tried all evening to avoid Ewan, but after that waltz, where she nearly lost all control and kissed him before the entirety of the
ton,
she hadn’t been able to take her eyes from him for more than a moment. Her heart stuttered when she saw him speaking to the lovely Miss Rachel. Wasn’t she the one he had run into, knocking her over? With a heavy sigh that earned her a quizzical glance from Shiply, she forced her gaze to her escort. As she eyed Shiply, she found herself wishing she could find at least half of the attraction towards him as she felt for Ewan. Then maybe her heart wouldn’t feel so fragile.

Even as she danced with Shiply when she first arrived, she had been watching Ewan, causing her to trip twice. Shiply, ever the gentleman, hadn’t even remarked on her clumsiness. In contrast, her heart had been in her throat the entire time she had waltzed with Ewan, causing her prickly barriers to recede ever so slightly. But now she erected them again, knowing she was only asking for pain should she let down her guard.

Resolving to keep her attention away from Ewan and on Shiply, she pasted on a joyful smile and entered the conversation taking place between Shiply and Lord Heath. As she struggled to focus her attention on the two men, she began to impatiently toy with her fan.

“Lady Grace?” came a soft, caressing voice from behind her.

Ewan.
Closing her eyes, she allowed the soft tones work their magic over her heart, but only for a moment. Steeling herself against the coming onslaught of devastating charm, she turned.

“Yes?” Grace turned to see Ewan escorting Miss Rachel. Her heart pinched with the unwelcome pangs of jealousy.

“Grace…” Was it just her wishful thinking, or did he speak her name differently? She searched his blue eyes and found them soft and mesmerizing.

“I’d like you to meet a new friend of mine. Miss Rachel. I don’t know if you are acquainted. After feeling a need to apologize once more to her for my clumsiness, I discovered that she hadn’t been introduced to you earlier. I wanted to remedy my oversight.” Ewan spoke the words, never breaking eye contact.

Had he been speaking about her to Miss Rachel? Why would he? She scolded herself for finding hope in the smallest details.

“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Rachel. I trust you’re not too injured from your fall?” Grace asked graciously. After all, it wasn’t Miss Jacobsen’s fault she had been run over by Ewan or caught in the middle of Grace’s jealous imagination.

“Oh, I’m quite all right. And please, call me Rachel.” Her blue eyes twinkled with merriment, and Grace found she didn’t harbor any resentment toward the beauty. Her eyes were not cool and calculating like many of the other debutantes, but they were warm and joyful.

“Of course, Rachel.” Grace responded with more warmth than she had originally offered.

“I was thrilled when the Duke of Greys said he had known you since you were children! Imagine! I once knew a boy who was my best friend when I was a young girl.” Her eyes were bright as she spoke.

“You did? Are you friends still?” Grace inquired politely.

Rachel’s blue eyes were sad as she replied, “No, we lost touch with his family as I grew older. It’s been about ten years or so…” Her voice trailed off, but not before Grace noticed her casting a longing glance toward Shiply.

“I am sorry. It is difficult to lose friends.” Grace murmured with empathy.

“Yes, but it’s also lovely to make new ones.” Rachel spoke with sincerity as she looked Grace in the eye. Even though the temptation to be jealous of Rachel was great, she found that she truly did desire to be friends with the beauty. True friends were rare among the
ton.

“I would have to agree,” Grace replied casting a look towards Ewan. He was grinning at her and she couldn’t help but grin back. He was so handsome when he smiled! White teeth flashed against his too full lips, and his eyes always looked like he was harboring a delicious secret he wanted to share. With a longing sigh expelled by her heart, Grace turned her attention back to Rachel.

“Perhaps we’ll get a chance to get to know one another better?” Grace offered to Rachel.

“Oh yes! I’d love that! In fact, I’m planning a shopping trip tomorrow, for Christmas, and I’d love for you to join me. It’s ever so boring going by yourself with only a maid for company.” Her eyes were pleading, and Grace understood. It was indeed tedious to shop alone.

“I’d love to,” Grace replied with a small giggle.

“Will two o’clock be acceptable?” Rachel asked, hope evident in her voice.

“Perfectly.” Grace smiled as she spoke, hoping Rachel did indeed become the friend she believed she could be.

“Since that is all settled.” Ewan rubbed his hands together. “Lady Grace, would you care to take a turn about the room with me?” Ewan’s eyes beseeched Grace; imploring her to accept his invitation, unaware that she would say yes to almost anything he requested.

“Of course.” Grace nodded to Rachel and reached out to place her gloved hand on Ewan’s arm. His warmth radiated through his coat and warmed her hand, causing her belly to flutter in response.

Rather than speaking, Ewan gently led her through the crush of people. When they needed to go around a couple, Ewan touched the small of her back with the softest of pressure, and then trailed his gloved fingers slightly down her dress before losing contact with her heated skin. As they maneuvered around another group of people conversing, he guided her by taking her hand and deftly interlacing his fingers within her own. It was only for a moment before he properly placed her hand once again on his strong arm, but not before giving her a flirtatious glance that let her know he was fully aware of each touch.

The flirtatious glance wasn’t one she had seen before. No, it was smoldering with a passion that was carefully restrained. But why? Grace couldn’t make sense of it. Her mind was blurry as she was lost in the simple sensations of Ewan’s gentle attention.

“I’m pleased you will be spending time with Miss Rachel.” Ewan cast her a clear blue gaze as they continued to walk.

“Yes.” Grace struggled to form a clear thought, though all she wanted to do was watch him and memorize the new expressions in his eyes as he watched her. “She seems very nice.” Grace offered after a moment of collecting her fragmented thoughts.

“Well, she certainly is very forgiving.” Ewan chuckled.

Grace laughed in response. “Ah, yes, I can see how that would be helpful in your current situation. How did you run into her anyway? Did you not see her?” Grace inquired, feeling more comfortable. She looked up and grinned at Ewan.

“No, I saw her clear as day and wanted to make a fool of myself,” Ewan replied with dry sarcasm. “Of course I didn’t see her! Do you really think me so clumsy that I’d run into someone even if I had seen him or her? You’re wounding my ego here, Grace.” Ewan grasped his heart in mock pain.

“Well, one never does know with you,” Grace teased back.

“Touché.” Ewan nodded with a wicked grin.

Ewan stopped and Grace took a moment to glance around her. They were outside of the ballroom and on a deserted balcony… alone. Her mind spun. Why had he brought her here? Yet, just as soon as she thought the question, she dismissed it. She didn’t care. All that mattered was he had.

~~~~

Ewan’s grin faded slightly as he turned to face her. Grace’s smile faded as well, and she looked up into Ewan’s eyes as they roved over her countenance. Never had she been gazed upon like Ewan was presently doing. For just a moment, his eyes dipped to her lips, and then he forcibly shifted his gaze to meet hers once again.

“Grace, I…” His eyes searched hers. He grasped both of her gloved hands within his own, sending heat waves up her arms and intensifying her heartbeat. Ewan massaged small circles in her wrist with his thumb, and she felt her breath hitch with desire as she stared into his searing gaze.

“Ewan…” she whispered, leaning forward, swaying slightly and dropping her gaze to his lips.

Just as Ewan leaned forward, Grace heard footsteps click against the marble floor of the balcony. With a gasp, she stepped back to a proper distance at the same time as Ewan.

“Lady Grace! Here you are! I’ve been looking for you. I have someone you must meet!” The very unwelcome voice of Lord Shiply seemed overly loud as it echoed off the stone walls of the balcony. With a downward glance and a disappointed sigh, Grace closed her eyes and prayed for him to disappear. She instinctively knew that Ewan would have kissed her; that something intangible had changed between them. But gone was the moment.

With an apologetic smile she glanced at Ewan, losing her train of thought at the blatant desire burning within his eyes; desire and possession. Grace curled her toes in her slippers at the warm sensation his gaze gave her. Yes, there was hope, and she was not about to give it up.

“Later, Ewan?” she whispered, staring at him and allowing him to see just a portion of her heart in her eyes.

With a slight nod he grasped her hand and very gently kissed the back of it, then turned it over and pressed another moist and prolonged kiss to her wrist, sending shivers up her arm. After one long, lingering glance, she turned to meet Shiply.