by Tracy Sumner
She could admit to fleeing Gloucestershire to gain his attention. She’d not had contact in months. Four, at least. Running hadn’t really worried her, even with the danger surrounding her, because Julian, the most circumspect man she’d ever known, would eventually find her. Before their enemies, she trusted. Naming herself Madame DuPre was like waving a cape before a bull. And although he wouldn’t believe it, posing as a clairvoyant was for her research.
For the most part.
The other reason was loneliness, which she would never, ever admit to feeling. Not when Julian had enforced their separation after explaining why hiding in Gloucestershire was the most judicious plan for her protection. Always, always, choices were made for her protection, not her happiness. Until she was disheartened and experiencing that little jab of rebelliousness that made her do silly things. Until she was incensed that safety meant being away from Julian. From Finn. The only family she had left.
She nodded her head—go with research when he asks why you did it—and shoved against the door at the end of the hallway with all her strength. The garden was spring-lovely and blessedly vacant, moonlight splashing the brick path she dropped to her knees upon. There was a shout from inside the hotel, the screech of windows being raised to invite fresh air.
She coughed and hung her head, bowing close to the ground, brick biting into her palms. No matter how hard she tried to contain it, chaos followed her as closely as a beloved family pet.
The polished Wellington entered her vision before she sensed his presence. A knee hit the ground beside her, fingers skimming her cheek and lifting her face into the light. She felt the veil being slipped from her face. Thoughts scattered as she curled into the contact.
Forever since anyone had touched her with even the slightest regard. All at once, she felt as diaphanous as the smoke surrounding her, dissolving in his arms.
“We have to leave this place.” His hand tensed, fingers trembling against her jaw. “Open your eyes, Piper.”
Julian’s voice. Rich, deep, captivating. To look in his eyes would break the spell. Disappointment. Censure. Evasion.
His aura, however, would be magnificent.
He swore beneath his breath and lifted her into his arms.
“A mistake,” she whispered, her cheek settling against fine wool with a sigh of surrender. “The papers. My research.”
As he strode through the garden, she breathed, dismissing smoke and summoning Julian. He was surprisingly luminous, the feel, sound and scent of him. Memories swirled, years and years of them. She couldn’t shake the calm that settled over her, the completeness.
How utterly foolish.
Nothing had changed in her heart.
When everything had changed in his.
“You have no idea how much rests on my protecting you,” he hissed in her ear, rage vibrating from him like ripples from a pebble tossed into a pond. On an oath, his arms shifted, bringing her closer. She settled into him, his body heat warming her to the depths of her soul. This was all Julian, a gridwork of contrasts. Resentment and tenderness, irritation and concern.
He wanted the lines clearly drawn when they were muddled, every last one of them.
“You have no idea,” he repeated.
Actually, she had quite a fine idea.
Other little girls had gone to sleep listening to stories of fairies and princesses, gods and knights, towers rising amidst fields of lavender. Her stories had been filled with mystics and the supernatural, magical gifts that set her apart.
And those who sought to use those gifts to destroy her.
* * *
READ ON!
Also by Tracy Sumner
Garrett Brothers Series
Tides of Love
Tides of Passion
Tides of Desire: A Christmas Romance
* * *
Southern Heat Series
To Seduce a Rogue
To Desire a Scoundrel: A Christmas Seduction
* * *
League of Lords Series
The Lady is Trouble
The Rake is Taken
The Duke is Wicked
The Hellion is Tamed
* * *
Multi-Author Series
Tempting the Scoundrel
* * *
Chasing the Duke
About Tracy Sumner
Award-winning author Tracy Sumner’s storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, and her novels have been translated into Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before finding her way back to the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
* * *
When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!
* * *
Connect with Tracy:
www.tracy-sumner.com
Sign up!
Sign up for my Street Team to read releases before they hit the shelves!
* * *
Or join my newsletter reader’s group for exclusive giveaways and release information!
You’ll also receive the steamy Christmas novella Chasing the Duke as a welcome gift! Sign up here!