The Duke’s Darling Debutante
Page 13
“That’s easy. The anonymity.”
She pointed a finger at his chest. “Ah, there, you see? You do have a sense of adventure.”
“Not adventure,” he said. The very word made him uncomfortable. “Mystery,” he corrected. “I do relish a mystery.”
“Hmm.” She let her head drop back, and she went back to gazing at the sky.
He did the same beside her. For a moment, they merely enjoyed the relative silence, and the breeze, and the stars...together.
Together...but alone.
He glanced behind them at the thought. The doors were still open, the sound of music pouring out. A crowd only a few paces away. It wasn’t as though this was an improper rendezvous.
And yet, it didn’t feel wholly proper either.
For some reason, that excited him. No, surely this was not excitement. He furrowed his brow as he took stock of his slightly elevated pulse, the hammering in his chest, the way his blood seemed to come alive in his veins.
He wasn’t entirely certain what this sensation was, but...he liked it. He turned to see a lock of white-blonde hair trailing over her shoulder. He liked her. She was unusual, but appealing. Nothing she said was expected, and that was a rare delight. And she found him amusing.
That was rare, indeed.
“So you do not have an adventurous spirit then?” she asked.
“No.” He answered quickly. Resolutely. But he had the oddest sensation that he was...lying.
She moved in a little closer as if she could see straight through his mask and to his very soul.
Silly thought, but there it was.
She planted her hands on her lips. “I don’t think that’s true at all.”
His mouth opened, he started to protest—but he didn’t get the chance.
A sound at the door behind him made her squeak with alarm, and then she was ducking around him, using his body as a shield as she hid herself in the shadows behind the door.
Well, that was...interesting.
At the same time, a young gentleman came outside and spotted him. “Have you seen a young lady out here? Red cloak, white mask?”
The lie came too easily. He didn’t even have to think. “I can’t say that I have.”
To continue reading, check out The Viscount’s Darling Adventure.
About the Author
Maggie Dallen writes adult and young adult romantic comedies in a range of genres. An unapologetic addict of all things romance, she loves to connect with fellow avid readers on Facebook, Instagram or at www.maggiedallen.com. For an exclusive free novella, sign up for her monthly newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/dgUNif
Katherine Ann Madison is the sweet side of USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen. Mother of three beautiful daughter’s, Katherine’s line of sweet romance strives to write romance for the reader of any age. Katherine’s stories infuse humor, romance, and wholesome love that are as joyful as they are uplifting. If you’d like to learn more about her books, new releases and sales alerts, you can subscribe to her newsletter at: http://www.tammyandresen.com/writing-as-katherine-ann-madison/