The Kiss of a Rogue

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  "Or it could be that Lady Enwright likes to mix things up. As does her husband. And to see what occurs when they do." The earl drew in a deep breath. "Or it could be that your extended conversation with Miss Northrup earlier today was remarked upon by many."

  Adam's reply was without thought. "She all but broke my sister's nose." Considering that he had also rescued Abigail from De La Croix, Adam thought he should be granted some degree of leeway on the matter.

  "And you all but forced her into the match." Rayne's response was just as quick.

  "How do you know that?" The duke had no idea that anyone had overheard the conversation and he grew cold at the thought.

  To his surprise, Rayne laughed. "Nothing so insidious, I assure you. However, Miss Northrup did mention something to our delightful hostess, which set Lucy off. You know how she is. She protects those she cares about. Given her past, it is only natural."

  "I did not force Miss Northrup to do anything," Adam grumbled, though he knew that wasn't precisely true. He had goaded her into taking on Sophia. Just a little bit. Or more than a little bit. "Though perhaps I did suggest it a bit strongly," he amended.

  "Perhaps because you are enamored of the chit?" The earl was on a fishing expedition, and Adam was not certain how much he wished to reveal of himself. Or of Abigail.

  Adam chose his next words carefully. "She is...intriguing. This is not like before with the other women. I have never met anyone quite like her." He paused. "And I'll not apologize for it."

  "I did not say you had to." Rayne rose from the bench. "All I will say is to tread carefully. Despite what you might think given my associations, I was not sent here by anyone to watch you. How you navigate Society and whether or not your reputation ever recovers is your own business." Then he paused as well. "However, I will warn you not to trifle with the lady's affections. You have already done so several times to disastrous results, even though in the case of Lady Diana, it was for the best. Most people recognize that, even if they choose not to admit that you were ill-matched from the beginning. However, I do not think you would wish to do something so scandalous again. For you might truly never recover from a second such scandal."

  Then he was gone, disappearing into the night as he had a habit of doing. Adam did not even attempt to stop him. It was not worth the effort. He knew that he had to be careful where Abigail - for that was how he had come to think of her now that he had been given leave to use her Christian name - was concerned. He had already hurt one woman very badly. He did not wish to do so again. Especially one that had been so poorly treated by Society, as Abigail likely had.

  Oh, she did not say as much, of course, at least not outright. But the implication was there in small turns of phrase or comments that she had made. She was the daughter of a merchant and not a peer. Therefore, she was seen as somehow less than a woman like Lady Josephine or her friends. Though in his opinion, Abigail was worth more than all of them put together.

  She was witty and charming. More than that, she was honest, intelligent and did not seem inclined to believe others' rumors regarding him, but instead preferred to make her own judgments. She spoke to him not with the deference that was due his title, but as if he was simply just a man. She did not simper or cower or say what she believed he wished to hear. She did not flatter him with pretty words she did not mean, but instead spoke honestly and forthrightly, telling him when he was being an idiot and commending him when he was not.

  Here in the darkening night, just as he had thought that first morning in the garden, in Adam's eyes, Abigail was truly a goddess.

  And he wanted her. In his bed. Beneath him. Where he could be inside of her. So that he could consume her.

  The thought struck him out of nowhere and he was completely unprepared for the surge of pure lust and heated desire that pulsed through him. He knew he was attracted to her, of course. After all, she was a beautiful woman, and he had all but kissed her senseless. But he wasn't at all certain where this sudden flare of true desire had come from.

  Especially since he was trying so hard to be good. And to not ruin the life of yet another woman.

  Once more, Adam contemplated the possibility that he had hit his head and caused some sort of brain damage when he had jumped the balustrade the other evening, but then dismissed it just as quickly. He was not suffering from a head injury. Rather, he wondered if he might be suffering from something even rarer - love at first sight.

  It would explain rather a lot and make a great deal more sense than a head injury.

  If Sophia was still speaking to him, Adam knew she would appreciate the irony of the entire situation, since it had often been said that Diana had fallen in love with Adam at first glance - even though there was no possible way that was even remotely true. He and Diana had both been children when they had first met, for goodness sake! Still, it had made for a good story, and when Adam had all but assumed that he and Diana would eventually marry, he hadn't bothered to correct anyone, even though he thought the entire situation a lot of nonsense. After all, no one could be stupid enough to fall in love at first sight. Especially not someone as currently as cynical as him.

  Except that apparently, he had done just that, much to his chagrin.

  Then, as if the universe had decided that he had not been punished enough for one night, Adam heard a rustle of silk behind him and he turned to see his goddess standing there in the lamplight. And every good intention he had disappeared in an instant. Perhaps he was not so changed as he wished to believe after all.

  "Abigail." Her name was like a prayer on his lips and he prayed that she was not some hallucination of his lust-soaked brain. Then she spoke his name and he knew that she was not.

  Thank the Gods above!

  Chapter Eight

  Abigail knew she should not have followed Adam out into the sculpture garden, but she also could not simply sit in Lucy's parlor - one that was really more of a small ballroom - and sip Madeira with Charlotte and the others while Lady Josephine and her cohorts smirked from the other side of the room, proud of themselves for nearly embarrassing Adam earlier at dinner with stupid chatter about dresses and lace. In fact, if she had remained there much longer, Abigail was afraid of what she might have said or done, for the group of three catty women clearly believed they had chased Adam from the house for the evening. Even though it had been perfectly obvious to everyone else in the dining room that Lady Huffton had put the three in their places. They were merely too foolish to see the truth of the situation.

  So when the ladies had retreated to the parlor until the men finished their cigars and port, Abigail had pleaded a headache and begged off for the rest of the night. In truth, while she liked most of the women at the house party, she really wasn't in any mood for parlor games. All she really wanted was to see Adam.

  Before dinner, Abigail had managed to apologize to Lady Sophia who, surprisingly, had waved off Abigail's conciliatory words and admitted that she had been working so hard to win only because she knew that Adam had requested that Abigail take her on. How Sophia knew this Abigail was not certain, but the other woman didn't seem bothered by the situation in the least. In fact, she seemed to find it rather humorous.

  The other woman also admitted that she was open to speaking to her brother again, though she also was of a mind to punish him just a bit more. While she would not say why, Abigail had the distinct impression that there was something extremely competitive and almost antagonistic between the two siblings, and that Sophia seemed to want to punish her brother in some fashion with her continued silence. It made little sense to Abigail, but then, her relationship with her brothers had always been very loving.

  She had the impression that was not the case in the Reynolds family. She also suspected that with this social group as a whole, they tended to over-react first and ask calm, rational questions later.

  Sophia had also admitted that, over the last two days, she had come to learn some rather unsavory things about Lord Selby and was no
w wondering if her former betrothed was really all that he claimed to be. She also wondered if Adam had known anything about the situation. Sophia clearly thought that was the case, as she pressed Abigail repeatedly for information on the subject. Though she was still not quite ready to speak to him, which was likely why she was interrogating Abigail on the matter.

  However, those were not Abigail's secrets to reveal and she had simply apologized once more and headed in to dinner, more convinced than ever that the entire Reynolds family might be a bit off and candidates for Bedlam. Adam certainly was, for as often as he sought her out. Her! Abigail! A lowly merchant's daughter.

  Abigail did not know about Adam's mother, but, given the glances the older woman continually cast in her direction through out dinner, she was either mad as well or she knew about her son's interest in Abigail. Likely, the duchess was worried about being supplanted in the title by a wealthy chit of no consequence who many saw as an interloper into Society. Abigail couldn't really blame the woman for that.

  So for those reasons and many more, Abigail had fled the parlor as gracefully as possible before skirting around the main staircase and venturing into the back of Fairhaven. Since the house had originally been designed to be an impenetrable fortress, the hallways were extremely confusing, but eventually, Abigail found an open doorway that led to the library and from the library to the outside. After the stifling dinner, she needed fresh air, no matter that the outside was little better than the inside with its sultry heat and humidity and lung-clogging thickness.

  She had initially planned to simply step outside for a few moments before returning to her rooms to check on Miss Cutwright, but when she saw an evening clothes-clad figure disappear in the direction of the sculpture garden, she was intrigued. Abigail knew that whatever the man was up to was really none of her business, but the figure had the same build as Adam. She had hoped to catch him after dinner to let him know that she had apologized to Sophia, but he disappeared before she had the opportunity. Now she might have that chance. In private.

  So, despite the fact that she knew she should not tempt fate in such a manner, Abigail had used a small set of side stairs to reach the expansive back lawn that led to the beginning of the statuary garden path. When another, more quickly moving shadow had passed in front of her without even seeming to notice her existence, Abigail had slowed her pace. She knew from the slightly awkward stride that it was Lord Raynecourt, and she had no wish to intrude upon whatever discussion he wished to have with Adam.

  Instead, she had ventured towards the maze that loomed off to the left, its tall and imposing hedges a perfect match for the hulking mass of ancient stone that was Fairhaven. Normally, Abigail might have felt a small measure of fear but tonight, she did not. She supposed that it was because being here was like a moment out of time. The rules were looser, and she was not as constrained by her lack of social status as she was back in London.

  And perhaps, just perhaps, after having been kissed so thoroughly in the garden a few mornings ago, Abigail could not truly imagine anything more scandalous befalling her.

  Oh, she was not a green girl who was unaware of the baser desires of men or of those who forced themselves upon women. However this was her friend Lucy's home and that offered some measure of comfort. Lord Enwright was also known as The Devil Duke, and Abigail doubted that anyone would harm a guest at his house party. At least not if they wished to live to see the next sunrise.

  Abigail did think enough of her safety - and of the possibility that the Comte De La Croix might be lurking about in the darkness - to take a lantern with her. Several of them were scattered about the various stone terraces that led off into the gardens, as if the duke and duchess had anticipated that some of their more adventurous guests might wish to wander the grounds at night. Or indulge in a secret rendezvous.

  However, after several minutes of wandering through the maze, Abigail began to realize that no matter what path she took, all of them were leading her back to the center of the sculpture garden where she could hear the fountain bubbling merrily. She could also hear the voices of two men speaking in low tones - likely Adam and Lord Raynecourt.

  Having no wish to disturb them, she tried to double back on her path but had become hopelessly lost and, despite her best efforts, had emerged into the crushed stone covered clearing near the fountain. Thankfully, when she emerged from the shadows, Adam was alone.

  He must have heard her approach, for as soon as she stepped into the open, he turned and looked at her, his eyes glittering brightly in the near dark. When he whispered her name as if it was the single most important word he had ever uttered, something inside of her chest fluttered to life.

  "Adam." Abigail spoke his name just as softly and took another step forward, bringing herself more fully into the light. Here the path had already been illuminated with small lanterns hanging from iron hooks, casting a golden glow upon the entire scene.

  She prayed that he could not see how badly her hands shook, even though she had no idea why she was even the least bit nervous. This was Adam after all, and she had spent a good deal of time in his company. Though perhaps it was the slumberous look in his eyes, one that whispered of long nights tangled in the sheets and of naked bodies pressed together.

  At that thought, Abigail wanted to press her hands to her cheeks. What a goose she was! Adam didn't wish to bed her and truly, she was getting a little carried away with this imagination of hers. In fact, other than that singular kiss when he had admittedly still been a bit foxed, Adam had never been anything less than a gentleman towards her. No matter that she wished he might attempt just one more little kiss. To see if it was truly as spectacular as she remembered.

  "I thought you would be with Lucy, Charlotte and the rest of your friends." It had never occurred to Adam that Abigail might venture outside to find him. If that had been her plan at all, of course. This could be nothing more than a happy accident.

  She swallowed hard. "I was merely seeking air." She waved a hand in his general direction. "The dining room was so stuffy and cloying this evening. I am unused to that, I'm afraid, for even when we are at our summer home in Wales, the heat is not nearly as intense as it is here." Then, deciding that she was being silly, she drew in a deep breath. She was not some fragile flower, despite the fact that her legs felt as if they would not support her weight at the moment. Moreover, this was Adam. She knew him. She trusted him. "The house is such a maze that I became lost and when I finally found the library and its delightful doors to the terrace, I took advantage."

  Adam nodded in understanding. "And likely, you saw two men crossing the lawn and thought to investigate. Because you are far too curious for your own good."

  "Well, I knew that one of the men was you," she countered, uncertain if he was scolding her or not. "I could tell simply by the way you walked. And I did wish to speak with you."

  For some reason that made him smile. "I am glad to hear that."

  "I also knew the other was Lord Raynecourt as he has a lazier sort of gait, though I did not notice him until later, after I was already on the lawn. Which was why I entered the maze instead. I could not exactly sneak back into the library, but I did not wish to interrupt the two of you either." Abigail bit her lip in puzzlement as she glanced around. "And yet I still ended up here somehow. That was not my intention."

  "All routes through maze lead to this fountain," he confessed with a smile. "It was one of Enwright's clever tricks back in his youth when he had this estate redone, largely to accommodate his plans for his scandalous house party. He thought it ever so clever that anyone attempting to elude someone else in the maze would inevitably encounter them if they followed any path. For all paths lead to this spot."

  Nodding, Abigail understood very well. "Back when the house party and masked ball were far more scandalous than they are now, it was an easy way for ladies and gentleman to tease and flirt." And likely do far more sensual things as well, but she did not say that.

  "I
don't think it ever occurred to Enwright that he might marry some day and that the maze would no longer be necessary." Stepping forward, Adam offered Abigail his arm in a silent invitation to walk with him. "After all, every woman I ever knew was terrified of him."

  "Not Lucy." Abigail knew that well, for she had heard the story of the duke and duchess' first meeting several times over.

  Adam chuckled dryly. "No, our duchess is made of far sterner stuff than most, that is certain." Then he gestured in front of him. "I imagine that in time, Enwright will have the maze reconfigured properly. In the meantime, however, there is the labyrinth to enjoy if you like that sort of thing."

  "Labyrinth?" Abigail's curiosity was piqued. "I was unaware that there was more than just this one maze. Lucy never mentioned one. And she certainly didn't mention the labyrinth, for I adore them. I always have, even as a child."

  Adam offered Abigail a gallant bow that somehow seemed out of place in the dim statue garden before reaching down to scoop up the lantern she had abandoned when she had first entered the fountain area. "Likely she hoped to prevent you from going in. It is not for the faint of heart, with formidably tall walls and very little in the way of markers to use to guide you through." Then he grinned wickedly. "I, however, figured out the labyrinth's secret years ago and can take you directly to the center without too much fuss. If you wish to go, that is. After all, I am not the sort of man young ladies of good standing wish to be seen with as of late. Though I do think that you are a daring sort. Am I right?"

  "Are you challenging me, Adam?" Abigail liked the teasing note in his tone and found that she was enjoying herself far more than she had all day.

  "I am, Abigail," he tossed back easily. "However if you are too frightened, simply say the word and we can return to the manor house. No one shall be the wiser."