by Dawn Brower
“I wasn’t,” he said.
“But you are now?” Sheffield lifted a brow. “I suppose that the right woman might change a man’s perspective.”
Ezra would have to agree with that statement. “Graystone fell in love and married. That should have been a sign it could happen to us as well.”
“That’s what I was trying to tell you,” Fox exclaimed. He threw up his hands in the air. “Why does no one ever listen to me?”
“Because you often speak nonsense?” Sheffield grinned. He patted Fox’s shoulder in a reassuring manner. “You shouldn’t be overly concerned. No sane woman would willing agree to be your wife. I’m sure you’ll remain safe for many years to come.”
Fox glared at him. “You are not helping.”
“How about I find Graystone’s brandy and share it with you? Will that make it all better?” Sheffield’s tone was cajoling, like he was attempting to soothe a spoiled child.
“Yes,” Fox said. “But you are not fooling me. I know you want the brandy as much as I do.”
Ezra shook his head in disgust. “Don’t get too inebriated. I’m going to still need your help.”
“We won’t,” they said in unison as they walked off.
Ezra tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the dance to finish. While Fox and Sheffield talked around him, he’d been keeping tabs on Teddy. The first dance had ended and the damn Duke of Darling claimed her hand for the next one. How many gentlemen had signed her card? He gritted his teeth. First a marquess and now a duke. How was he supposed to compete with those titles? Would she even care? He’d mucked everything up with her, and he couldn’t see straight anymore.
Finally, the dance ended, and Ezra stalked to where Darling was leading her. When they exited the floor, he was standing in front of her. She stopped short when she noticed him. She turned to Darling and said, “Your Grace, thank you for the wonderful dance. Lord Carrolton is waiting for me now.”
Darling bowed. “I do hope we’ll speak again soon.”
“Certainly,” Teddy agreed.
Ezra clenched his hands into fists at his side. Somehow, he managed to keep them there and not punch Darling’s pretty face. A bruise would improve it…Ezra was certain of it. After the duke left, he turned to Teddy, “Don’t let anyone else sign your card.”
She frowned. “The entire purpose of a ball is to dance. Why should I refrain if a gentleman asks?”
Because Ezra might cause a scandal. He couldn’t tell her that though. She would think he’d lost his mind. “We need to talk. Come with me.”
He didn’t give her a chance to tell him no. Ezra took her hand in his and led her out to the balcony and into the extensive gardens. There was a small maze that Graystone had installed as a place he could escape with his lovers…when he’d had a lover he wished to hide. Not many people could walk through the maze without becoming lost. Carrolton was one of the few who knew it well.
They reached the heart of the maze. She should be concerned about her reputation, but she couldn’t discern one reason to bother. There was a fountain with Aphrodite at the center. Graystone had believed it appropriate, considering why he’d designed the maze. The moon was full, and its light spilled over Teddy’s beautiful face. “You’re stunning tonight,” he said huskily.
“Thank you?” She made it sound like a question.
“You are,” he reassured her. “All the gentlemen in there are competing for your attention. You’ll have suitors aplenty after tonight.”
“That upsets you?”
“More than I like to admit,” he told her, then pulled her into his arms. “I find I don’t like the idea of sharing you, but I also realize that’s not my decision to make. You’re capable of making your own choices.”
She smiled. “If you believe that, why did you drag me out here?”
“Because I’m a man, and I don’t always think before I react.” He touched his forehead to hers. “And I want to kiss you desperately.”
“Then kiss me,” she said. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard it clearly. They had other things to discuss, and they would; however, he fully intended to kiss her as passionately as he’d been dreaming first.
Ezra lowered his head and placed his lips on hers. Hot burning spikes shot down his spine, and his head spun. He deepened the kiss and touched his tongue to hers. Desire spilled over him, and he lost all ability to think. When a kiss such as this one existed, who needed the ability to reason anyway?
Chapter 9
When Ezra had kissed her before, Teddy had liked it, but it left her a little uninspired. She had expected more from a kiss. Something like fire and need all jumbled together. She understood now. If he had kissed her like this sooner, she’d have given herself to him. Probably would have begged him to ruin her. Hell, she was on the verge of doing that now. She’d never felt so heated before. His kiss made her yearn for everything an innocent young lady shouldn’t.
In short…this was a kiss designed for seduction, and it worked. God, did it work…
He pulled back. “We need to stop.” His breathing was uneven and he appeared to struggle for control. Teddy smiled. It would be so easy for her to break the tether holding him together.
“I disagree,” she said a little breathlessly, and stepped toward him. “Kiss me again.”
Ezra shook his head, and moved back. “I want to, but I can’t. We can’t.”
Teddy growled. An actual growl born of frustration. “Now is not the time to remember you’re supposed to be a gentleman.”
“I am a gentleman,” he said, a little affronted, “And I will not ruin you in Graystone’s lovers’ maze.” His hair was disheveled from her. Teddy had run her fingers over those silken locks with an abandon she didn’t know she possessed. She wanted to do it all over again.
She narrowed her gaze. “Then why did you bring me here?” Teddy felt like a small child denied their favorite sweet. She was on the verge of stomping her foot and throwing a tantrum, demanding he give her what she desired. She tilted her head and considered it as she stared at him.
“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t,” he ordered. “We don’t have time for it. We’ll both be missed soon. This might be our only opportunity tonight to talk. I cannot wait until tomorrow for you tell me about Lord Eaton.”
Teddy lifted her lips into a slow, wanton smile. She had power over him. It was a heady feeling, and she reveled in it. This man desired her, and if she pushed, he’d give in. She felt it deep in her soul. “I’m sure we can make time for both.”
He groaned and pulled her into his arms again. “You’ll be the death of me yet.” Ezra nuzzled her neck and trailed kisses along her chin. “I want this. I want you.”
“I know.” She nearly moaned from the pleasure. She should feel bad for distracting him, but she couldn’t talk about that evil man. It would ruin the magic of this moment. Ezra made her insides quiver, and that in itself was so darned amazing. “Don’t stop again.”
“I have to,” he said, but it was mournful. “I should never have started.”
He shook a little as he stepped back again. Ezra ran his hand over his hair and took several breaths. “Please don’t stall. I’m weak where you’re concerned, but I cannot let what he did go. Tell me everything.”
Teddy shook her head and hugged herself. It was what she reverted to when she had to recall that night three years ago. Ezra wanted her to open up an old wound and allow it to bleed her dry. “You’re asking too much of me.”
Ezra closed the distance between them. He cupped her face in his hand. “I’m here for you no matter what. I’ll never leave you alone without protection. I need to know. I’m begging you.”
She closed her eyes and took a fortifying breath. Earlier, she had wondered if she could trust him. In this moment, she knew she could. He’d saved her, would continue to if needed. Perhaps if she explained it all to him, it would free her from that painful past. “Three years ago, I woke up during a thunderstorm. I d
on’t like storms.”
“I didn’t know that,” he said softly. “What happened?”
“I decided if I had a book, it would help distract me…help me pretend there was no storm.” This was the easy part and still she struggled to form the words. “My father often stayed up late drinking. He was always looking for the next big scheme to make money. It never came. We were already poor gentry, and not long after that he drove us to be destitute, but I digress. That night, our future wasn’t quite as bleak.”
“What did he do?” There was a harshness in his tone as he spoke.
She shook her head. “To this day, I don’t know. I never asked, but…”
“Was Lord Eaton there?” Ezra’s lips formed a thin line, and he didn’t appear pleased by anything she was saying. Teddy didn’t blame him. She wasn’t particularly happy herself.
“Yes,” she affirmed. “But I didn’t know his name until that night at the ball…when we danced.”
He was quiet for several moments as if weighing her words and deciding how to proceed. “Why does he scare you, and why did he attack you in the park?” Would he believe her? What would she do if he didn’t?
She turned away from him. Teddy couldn’t look at him as she explained the rest. It hurt to think about, and it devastated her to speak of that night. “When I went to the library, he crossed my path….he was mean, and rough. I think my father made promises he couldn’t keep. Lord Eaton…” Her lips trembled, and she had to stop and gather courage. “He wanted to use me to pay that debt.” She swallowed hard. “He would have forced himself on me, had left bruises all over me as it was, but my father interrupted him.”
Ezra closed what distance remained between them and pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, love. I’m so, so sorry.”
She laid her head on his chest as a tear fell down her cheek. “It’s not your fault.”
“It doesn’t negate anything,” he told her. “I’d take away all that pain if I could. He was going to abduct you that day, wasn’t he? To take what he thought belonged to him?”
“Yes.” Teddy was barely holding back the next tear that threatened to fall. It was bad enough she let a few escape. She would not give in and cry fully.
Ezra kissed the top of her head. “He won’t harm you again. You have my promise of that.” He stepped back and held out his arm to her. “I think it’s time I escorted you back to your ball.”
“Will you dance with me?”
“Of course,” he agreed. “Do you have a waltz left?”
Teddy glanced at her card. “If we hurry back it should be the next dance. At least, if I understand this card right. I didn’t pay much attention to it earlier.”
He grinned. “Then let’s go dance, my lady.”
They headed back to the ballroom. Teddy felt lighter, almost happier. She was in love and believed he loved her in return. Later, she’d ask him and see if perhaps they had a future together. She had questions, of course, but they could wait for now. This night was magic, and she intended to soak in the joy of it for as long as possible.
Ezra had never been so livid in his entire life. His uncle had… He shook that thought away before it fully formed. That bastard would have taken advantage of a young girl, and even after that had failed, he would have tried again. He had always known his uncle was evil, but he hadn’t believed he was this horrid.
He wouldn’t burden Teddy with what he planned on doing to Lord Eaton. She had already been forced to endure too much. Her father may have stepped in to save her at the last second, but he never should have allowed her to be in that position to begin with. Ezra was disgusted.
As they entered the ballroom, the strands of the waltz filled the room. He led her straight to the floor. They floated across the floor as they moved easily together. As if they had always partnered in the dance. Ezra never wanted to dance with anyone other than her.
“Thank you,” she said. “For saving me at the Serpentine. I don’t recall if I said that before.”
“You were in shock,” he replied. “In truth, I was as well. He…” Ezra shook his head. “Let’s say it was not what I expected to find when I went looking for you.”
She smiled. “I didn’t realize you were there for me. How did you know I’d gone for a walk?”
“I stopped in to pay a call and was told I’d missed you.” He allowed himself to smile at her in return. Ezra didn’t want to terrify her with the anger blazing inside of him. He’d make his excuses after the dance then go retrieve Fox and Sheffield. They had some hunting to do. “And I decided that wouldn’t do. I had to see you.”
“I’m surprised you bothered.” She frowned. “I’ve been quite shrewish.”
“That’s part of your charm,” he teased. She wasn’t nearly as shrewish as she believed herself to be. He’d been in the company of females that were actual shrews and she didn’t compare. At. All. It was a bit adorable she thought she could be like those odious ladies. To him she was perfect, but perhaps his feelings for her blinded him a little. “And I had to know what I’d done to make you believe terrible things about me.”
“I’m not sure we should discuss that. At least not here in the ballroom.” She wrinkled her nose. “They talk about your escapades; you know that. The ladies of the ton revel in your rakish ways.”
“Is that why you keep trying to push me away?” He lifted a brow. “Most of it is exaggerated.”
“Most of it?” She furrowed her brows together. “That means at least part of it holds true. You care to tell me what holds an inkling of veracity?”
Not on his life… He finally had her in a good place, and he’d be damned if he would anger her again. “I think you already know what is true and what isn’t considering our interlude in the maze.”
“That’s not…” She opened and closed her mouth several times. “All right, I’ll concede that you are a fair kisser.” Teddy pursed her lips together. “Perhaps more than fair.” She sighed.
“You want to say something else?” He didn’t want to press, but if it was causing her to doubt him, then he needed to hear it.
“I probably shouldn’t.” She nibbled on her lower lip. He nearly groaned as desire shot through him. Ezra couldn’t kiss her in the middle of the ballroom—even though he desperately wanted to. It would cause a scandal the ton would whisper about for ages.
“You definitely should,” he encouraged her.
“All right. I will then.” She took a deep breath. “I overheard you with that widow at the garden party. Your little tryst in the middle of the garden.”
“Why, Teddy dear, are you jealous?” He chuckled softly. “You needn’t be.
“I am no such thing,” she said a little too loudly. A few people nearby looked in her direction. In a much quieter tone, she told him, “It bothered me a little.”
“That’s jealousy, love,” he told her with amusement in his tone. “Perhaps at some later date we should discuss your predilection for eavesdropping. You seem to do it quite often.” He paused momentarily, and then said in a soothing tone, “Nothing happened. She wanted there to be more, but I couldn’t. Even if I desired her, I would not have taken that risk. Amelia’s reputation would have been singed, and she hopes to make a good match.”
“I don’t eavesdrop.” Teddy nibbled on her bottom lip. “Not that often anyway.” She frowned as she seemed to consider what he’d told her. “You didn’t want her?”
“No,” he reassured her. He’d let her denial about eavesdropping go for now. They would discuss it later as he had promised. “You’re the only lady I want to dally with. Ever.” The strands of the waltz came to an end. “Amelia told me she invited your sister to dinner. I do hope you’ll come with her.”
“I might,” she conceded.
He adored her. “I’ll take you to your sister now. I need to find the Marquess of Foxworth and the Earl of Sheffield. We have an appointment we cannot miss.” One that would leave his uncle black, blue, and bloody. “Will you be all righ
t?”
“I will.” She smiled at him. “I expect I’ll have more gentlemen wishing to fill my dance card now that I’ve returned.” Teddy tilted her head to the side. “That is if no one remarks on my absence earlier.”
“Don’t worry about that,” he told her. “They’ll forget all about it soon enough. I promise.”
“You are making me lots of promises tonight.” Her tone was a little whimsical as she spoke. “Can I trust you’ll keep them?”
“I always keep my promises.” Ezra wished he could hold her, kiss her, and tell her everything in his heart, but it would all have to wait. “I’ll call on you tomorrow.”
“I look forward to it,” she said.
With much reluctance, he left her side, and she went over to her sister. Ezra went and located his friends. He needed their help more than ever, and they would have to bring Graystone in too. The duke would not be happy with this news…
Chapter 10
The carriage rolled across the cobbled street, bouncing when it hit an especially rough part. Ezra didn’t say a word, and neither did any of the other three men with him. Everything that had needed to be said had been done in depth, and loudly, at least on Graystone’s part. The duke had been irate after Ezra explained what Lord Eaton had done to Teddy. Graystone was the only other gentleman in the carriage that was as equally enraged as Ezra. He’d gladly help murder the rotten bastard that was Ezra’s uncle. It sickened him to have such a fiend in his family.
He clenched his hands into fists. Ezra needed to hit something, and soon. They would reach his uncle’s home shortly, and then he could give in to the urge. When Teddy told him what he’d done, what he’d tried to do… It had taken monumental control to walk back into that ballroom and dance with her as she’d requested. Teddy’s needs would always come first, and he couldn’t let any more of his uncle’s misdeeds stain her. Lord Eaton had already done far too much.