Читать книгу The Promise - Бренда Джойс, Brenda Joyce - Страница 12

ELYSSE CLUNG TO THE SAFETY STRAP of the black lacquer carriage she shared with her parents and brother as it passed through the heavy wrought-iron gates that guarded the de Warenne property. Those gates were open now, flanked by stone curtain walls that stretched away into the distance. As their coach entered the long shell drive, she could see the house, pale and gray, in the distance. Windhaven was silhouetted against the twilight skies and lights blazed from the windows.

Impossibly dashing in his tuxedo, Jack dug his elbow into her ribs and jeered.

She frowned at him.

“Someone has to bring you down,” he said, grinning.

She decided to ignore him. Their mother reproved Jack, murmuring for him to stop teasing his sister.

Elysse stared out of her carriage window, clinging to the strap. Several days had passed since that stunning encounter with Alexi in her father’s library. The fact that he had remembered his promise to bring her a Russian fur gave her so much pleasure, yet she hadn’t forgotten her disbelief and hurt that he had practically called her a harlot. She was certain he hadn’t meant it—he couldn’t have meant it. Mostly, though, she couldn’t stop recalling the explosion of desire she had experienced when he had so casually touched her. And she kept remembering the smoldering look in his eyes, before he’d turned away from her. But maybe she had imagined her desire and his response to it. She wasn’t sure what to expect when they came face-to-face again that night.

He hadn’t been back to Askeaton since he’d brought her the fur, and she knew why he hadn’t called. She’d heard plenty of gossip about his comings and goings. Apparently he was squiring Louisa Cochrane about the countryside on a nearly constant basis.

She shouldn’t care who he was carrying on with, but every time she thought of him with the other woman, pain knifed through her heart.

She had tried to remind herself that their dalliance was nothing unusual, not really, for Alexi was always having an affair. He remained her steadfast friend. But for the first time in her life, she didn’t feel reassured. Confusion and doubt reigned. She had even debated going to Windhaven on the pretext of calling on Ariella. Somehow she had restrained herself. He would see through such a sham instantly, and mock her desire to see him.

It almost felt as if he were deliberately avoiding her. But why would he do that?

The carriage had slowed, entering the end of the queue of coaches and carriages in front of the house. Cliff had built Windhaven the same year he had brought his son home from Jamaica, in honor of his bride, Amanda. The three-story house was Georgian in design, with four corner towers and a high, sloping slate roof. The gardens surrounding it were magnificent, filled mostly with roses—everyone in the county knew how fond Amanda was of English roses. His stables were of pale beige stone, as were the servants’ living quarters. It was a palatial home, and testimony to the success of his worldwide shipping empire.

Two dozen conveyances were lined up ahead of them, Elysse saw. She recognized the gilded coach belonging to the Earl of Adare. Tyrell de Warenne was Cliff’s oldest brother and Alexi’s uncle. He could have gone to the head of the queue, of course, but he had chosen to await his turn, like anyone else. Clearly, no one had declined Amanda’s invitation, but then, there was nothing like an Irish country ball, and these days, with corn so dear, the workhouses full and the National Debt a dinnertime topic of conversation, they were few and far between.

Jack patted her knee. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Montgomery will ask you for a waltz or two.”

She glared at him. Montgomery was not the man keeping her wide awake at nights, although he had turned out to be a very gallant suitor. Elysse had enjoyed his stories of the sea. By now, she knew almost every detail of what had transpired from the moment Alexi had first met the pilot on the St. Lawrence in Lower Canada. Of course, Montgomery had not told her about the day he had saved Alexi’s life. She knew that Montgomery agreed that she was too delicate to withstand those details, just as she also knew he thought her enthralled with his stories. She was enthralled, but not for the reason he believed. Through Montgomery’s tales, she had pieced together so many details of the past two years of Alexi’s life.

Their drive in the country had been a very pleasant one. He was handsome, charming and intelligent, and he often made her laugh. He was very attentive, and she wondered if Alexi was right in insisting that Montgomery was thoroughly taken with her. She did feel a bit guilty that she did not return those feelings.

In fact, their last outing had been somewhat awkward. They had decided to wait out an intense rain shower in a farmer’s stable, but when he had helped her out of the carriage she had somehow wound up in his arms. She was experienced enough to realize he had maneuvered her into the position. As they waited for the rain to stop, Elysse had caught him looking at her with open male interest, and she’d been certain that Montgomery wanted to kiss her. That had made her anxious and uncomfortable, as she had no wish to be kissed by him or any of her suitors. Kisses were, of course, highly improper and she’d never received more than a peck on the check or a lingering kiss on the hand. She had wondered briefly if she was leading him on, as Alexi had accused her of doing. But every debutante she knew enjoyed the company of numerous suitors, including those they did not take seriously.

She had kept up a stream of lively conversation and he had never made the advance, much to her relief. Instead, the rain had abated and they had returned to Askeaton.

He’d asked if he could call on her again. It had crossed her mind that she should do as Alexi had asked—she should tell Montgomery, very frankly, that he was just a friend. She did not want to lead him on or give him false hope, not really. But then she thought of how Alexi was ignoring her—and how preoccupied he was with Louisa. Surely she was entitled to a casual flirtation, when he was wildly involved with his paramour!

So instead of telling Montgomery the truth, she had invited him to Adare. The earl had not been at home, but she had introduced him to the countess. Lizzie had insisted on giving them refreshments and her daughter Margery had joined them. It had been a very pleasant afternoon. Afterward she had given him a tour of the ancestral mansion, regaling him with the family’s long and convoluted history, which went back to Norman times. Montgomery had seemed at ease with everyone and everything, but when they were driving home he had confessed he had never met a countess before, much less been in a palace like Adare.

“I would have never known.” Elysse had smiled. She decided not to tell him that Adare was hardly a palace.

“I have never met a princess like you, either,” he had said, his gaze searing.

His look was too bold for her comfort now. “I am hardly a princess! You are teasing me, sir.”

“For a man like me, you are a dream come true,” he had said, obviously meaning every word. “When I am with you, sometimes I wonder if I am dreaming and I will wake up to find out that these moments have never happened. You are a princess in every possible way, to me, at least.”

She had been flattered. Where Alexi thought she flirted like a harlot, William Montgomery thought her a princess. When he had smiled warmly at her, she had smiled back, and then they had driven the rest of the way to Askeaton, chatting, their friendship somehow stronger.

She had received her invitation to Amanda’s “celebratory spring ball” a few days ago. A personal note had been enclosed. Amanda had written that the ball was being held in her stepson’s honor, to welcome Alexi home from China properly and to celebrate his stunningly successful run.

Her heart skipped a beat or two. She knew Alexi’s plans—Montgomery had revealed them. He would not run for China till early summer, as the first pick of tea was in July and it took a good month or more to send it down to the Cantonese warehouses from the interior; it could take another month or more to negotiate for the cargo and its price. And that was if he got the first pick again, which the pilot said was by no means a certainty. The trade was so highly competitive! November was the most dangerous month in which to beat down the China Sea—while the monsoon which came from the northeast was a terrific boon, it was accompanied by terrible typhoons, and few captains would disembark that month. Even Alexi preferred to depart in December. Elysse realized that once he left in June, he would not be home until March—a full year from now.

And he had no intention of carousing in Dublin or London until June. Next week he would return to Liverpool to pick up a cargo for a short Mediterranean run. When he returned from Cyprus, Elysse would be certain to be in London to see him. Maybe by then this strange impasse would be forgotten and they would be friends again.

But did she really want to return to their old friendship? She thought about being in his arms and her skin tingled. Except Louisa Cochrane was the woman in his arms. She had, somehow, been completely forgotten.

But tonight she intended to change that.

It was their turn to alight from the coach. She was terribly nervous about seeing Alexi again. Jack dutifully helped her down, her voluminous satin skirts being somewhat treacherous. She was wearing her most stunning dress tonight. The gown was at once sophisticated and daring—even her brother’s eyes had widened when he had first seen her in it. Of lavender silk, the low-cut bodice revealed a great deal of her chest and shoulders. The dress boasted expansive demigigot sleeves while the equally full skirts were intricately beaded and the narrow waistline was banded with darker velvet and a bow. She wore amethyst and diamond jewelry to complete the ensemble. Surely Alexi would notice her now.

As he guided her to the front door, Jack whispered, “I wonder, Elysse, just whom are you wearing that dress for?”

She flushed and glared at him. Elysse kept her voice low. “I have no idea what you mean.”

He grinned at her. “After you, sister.”

Standing at the front door with Cliff and Amanda was the guest of honor.

Alexi looked directly at her. Elysse paused behind her parents, trying not to make a sharp sound. She hadn’t seen Alexi in formal evening wear in years. He was so devastatingly handsome, so impossibly male. Now she knew she hadn’t imagined the desire she had felt earlier in the week. Her heart leaped. If she wasn’t careful, he would guess that she had somehow become terribly attracted to him. Suddenly, when she was usually the queen of every ball and the center of so much attention, she did not know what to do. How on earth could she get him to realize that she was a beautiful woman?

She dared to glance at him again. Although he moved to greet her parents, his gaze was unwavering upon her.

She wondered if he knew about her second outing with Montgomery. It was now her turn to greet their hosts. She kissed Amanda’s cheek, murmuring a greeting, and smiled at Cliff. Even as she gave Cliff her hand, she felt Alexi staring at her. Heat crested in her cheeks. Slowly, she looked up.

“Hello, Elysse.” He spoke softly—intimately—taking her entirely by surprise. “You are stunning tonight. Clearly, you will be the belle of this ball.”

She knew he meant it and she smiled at him, thrilled. “And you are so very handsome in your tuxedo, Alexi. Surely you are the most dashing gentleman here.”

She thought she saw some amusement in his blue eyes, but she couldn’t be certain. His dark brows lifted. “Is Jack your escort?”

She felt her tension escalate and she wet her lips. “I don’t have an escort,” she managed. “So we are no longer arguing?”

His gaze held her own regard. “We are not arguing. I don’t want to fight with you.”

She smiled happily, but she was aware of remaining incredibly nervous. “Do you really like my dress?”

His long, thick, black lashes lowered. It was a moment before she realized that his gaze had moved down her bodice before jerking back up to her face. A slight flush marked his high cheekbones. “Of course I like the dress. Every man here will like the dress. It is indecent on an unwed woman, Elysse.” His tone seemed rough.

Before she could protest that his claim was absurd, he said, “But when you chose it, you knew that you would attract even more attention than you usually do.”

She trembled. She had chosen the dress to attract his attention, but she could hardly admit that. “Every woman dresses up for a ball, especially when there are so few these days.”

He did not respond and she realized they were holding up the line. She lowered her voice and said, “I heard that you are leaving for Cyprus soon.”

His gaze sharpened. Without turning, he said to Cliff, “Excuse us for a moment.”

“What are you doing?” she asked, as he pulled her from the front of the queue. They moved toward the long ebony console set against the pale stone wall. A tall, gilded baroque mirror was above it. In it, she saw their reflections—his serious, hers almost frightened. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Montgomery watching them, but she couldn’t care about that now.

“Yes, I will embark for Cyprus within days. How did you hear that?” he demanded.

She hesitated, not wanting to admit that Montgomery had told her.

He laughed. “As if I don’t know.”

“Are we going to argue again?” she cried, dismayed. “You have been so terribly preoccupied since your return, we have hardly had a word. I was hoping I might even have a dance with you,” she said. She felt her cheeks flame at the idea of having to ask him for a dance—and all because she wanted to be in his arms. She did not want to discuss Montgomery now. “You haven’t called.”

He avoided her eyes. “I have been busy.”

She hated Louisa Cochrane. How had that fat old hen caught his attention? “Were you planning to call and say goodbye, or did you mean to simply sail away for another two years?”

His gaze shot to hers, filled with surprise. “You sound accusing. Did you miss me, Elysse? Surely you were too busy with your five marriage proposals to ever think of me!”

She fumbled with her beaded purse. She had missed him, and she would miss him even more when he left this time. “I never expected you to stay away for so long,” she said, at a loss. His brows rose and she whispered, “Two and a half years is a very long time.”

After a long moment, he said, “Yes, it is.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him to forgo the short run to Cyprus and back. “Why didn’t you come home?”

“I meant to do so after I returned from Canada, but I was offered a bonus for a timely run to Jamaica, and I could not refuse the agent.”

It had been business, she thought, but that did not make it any easier. “Are you ever homesick, when you are away?” What she wanted to know was if he had missed her.

His gaze widened. “Of course I am. I am homesick all of the time. It is lonely on the high seas, Elysse, especially on the night watch.”

She imagined him at the helm on his clipper ship in the Indian Ocean, the night black but bright and starry, the ship’s mainsails full, canvas moaning in the breeze. “I know how much you love the sea, how you love adventure.”

“Loneliness is a small price to pay,” he agreed. “The sea will always be my mistress.”

A naval captain’s daughter, she understood. “Don’t stay away again for so long,” she heard herself say. She flushed.

“Why would it matter, when you are so preoccupied with your parties and balls, and with your endless parade of suitors?”

“Of course it matters,” she said, his stare making her uncomfortable. “We are friends.”

“I wonder how many new suits there will be, by the time I next return?”

His tone was mild and she did not know what to say. “I am unwed. Of course there will be new suitors.”

“But every suitor does not rate a tour of Adare and a rest in our neighbor’s stables.”

He knew about her two outings with Montgomery. “It was raining,” she managed. “We had to escape the rain.”

His eyes flickered. “Of course, he behaved properly.”

She almost told him that Montgomery had looked at her as if he wanted to kiss her. “He was a perfect gentleman.”

Alexis glanced away. “Then you are very fortunate.” His gaze lifted to hers. “I asked you not to play him, Elysse.”

She was filled with guilt then. Was she “playing” William? “I do not play gentlemen. I am merely enjoying his suit. We have become friends.”

“Yes, you do play gentlemen, all the time, and you are excellent at it. I have watched you toy with male affections since you were a child.” He ignored her gasp of protest. “Now you are friends?” His tone was incredulous. “As we are friends?”

She felt as if she were being backed into a corner. “William is a friend. Of course, I hardly know him as well as I know you.”

“You do not know William at all.” He stared, his face hard.

She knew this was dangerous territory, but she couldn’t help herself. Their gazes locked, she said, “And I suppose you think that you know Louisa Cochrane well? And I am certain it is Louisa, not Mrs. Cochrane!”

“Do not bring Mrs. Cochrane into this.”

“Why not? She is obviously a fortune hunter,” Elysse cried, her gaze unwavering on his. “She is desperate to marry above herself, and soon! Why can’t you see that? Why do you even bother with her?”

He glanced aside. “I have made it very clear that I am not marrying anyone anytime soon.”

She felt her cheeks flame. She did not need him to remind her that they were lovers. She turned aside. Why did his affair bother her so much? When had she become so jealous? But all she could think of was Alexi and Louisa in a passionate embrace. It hurt so much. “She is undoubtedly planning on trapping you into marriage, even if it is a year from now.”

He caught her arm. “I am not discussing Louisa with you.”

“I knew it!” His familiar way of speaking of his mistress added to her hurt.

He didn’t release her. “Montgomery is besotted with you. But there is more. He is calculating his chances for a legitimate courtship. He is the one who is the fortune hunter here.”

She was taken aback. “That is absurd!”

“Is it? Have you told him that you could never fall in love with him? He knows that your father wants a love match for you. And men like Montgomery marry up all of the time!” His blue eyes sparked with anger now. “You are lucky he did not seduce you in the stables—then you would have been forced to marry him.”

She gasped. “What is wrong with you? William would never seduce me! He is a gentleman, Alexi. He is kind and sincere and, in fact, he thinks very highly of me!”

“Why won’t you listen to a single word I have said?”

“Because you aren’t making any sense!” Why did she feel like crying? “Why are you doing this? You have done nothing but ignore me since you have come home, while chasing after that hussy, and you would deny me a serious suitor.”

“Aha! So now you admit that he is seriously pursuing you?” he demanded.

She crossed her arms tightly and he looked at her cleavage. She flushed and managed, “Have you finished nagging at me? My dance card is full tonight.”

He dragged his gaze upward. “I thought you wanted a dance with me.”

“That was before you decided to be a boor.” She turned to rush away.

He took her arm, restraining her, and turned her back to face him. “I am not finished, Elysse.” His gaze hardened. “I want you to end this tonight, before you find yourself in jeopardy—the kind you cannot smile and laugh and flirt your way out of.”

She tried to jerk her arm free and failed. “You cannot order me about, as if I am one of your crew—or your sister.”

“You are making a mistake. Sometimes, Elysse, I feel like taking you over my lap and giving you the kind of spanking reserved for small children. You are truly the most stubborn woman I have ever met. You are playing my pilot and it is selfish and dangerous.”

She shot back, “You are playing Louisa, are you not? I wonder why you are so set against William but not my other suitors like James Ogilvy? Could it be that you are jealous?”

His eyes widened. “I am not jealous of you. I think of you as family. Not as anything else. We have known one another for thirteen years!”

She stepped back, stricken. “We aren’t family. We aren’t related at all!”

“Oh, ho! Wait a moment—are you jealous? Do you want my attentions?” He was incredulous.

“No, I do not!” she cried with panic.

His stare was skeptical, piercing. “I know you as well—no, better—than I know my own sisters! I know how you think and what you want—I know who you are. Sometimes I think I know you too well! When I walk into a room and I see you, I think, why, there is Elysse, the pretty, spoiled little princess I have known for most of my life!”

She was trembling. Tears were arising, and she didn’t want him to see. “Are you saying that you think of me as a sister? That you don’t even notice that I am an attractive and entirely grown-up woman?”

His mouth hardened. “Obviously you are good-looking, but I don’t think about it.”

She stared, terribly hurt.

His gaze slammed down to her lavender ball gown. “I hate that dress,” he said tersely. He strode away.

She did not move, in shock. When Alexi saw her in a room, he saw a spoiled little princess. He didn’t see a beautiful woman, he saw the girl he’d known his entire life, someone similar to a sister.

“I like the gown,” Montgomery said softly. “I think you are lovelier than ever. Elysse, don’t cry.”

She turned and found his concerned gray gaze upon her. Vaguely, she realized he had been eavesdropping. She couldn’t care. It was her heart that was broken.

Somehow, she smiled at him.

He reached for and held her hand.

SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHY she had ever yearned to be in Alexi de Warenne’s arms. She didn’t even know why she had ever considered him a friend. He was hateful. He thought to control her life, treat her as a sister, and all while he ran after hussies like the widow Cochrane. Who cared? She had never suffered a rejection before. She did not know of another debutante in Ireland who had had five marriage proposals in two years. His rejection did not matter—not at all!

And if William decided to press a suit, she might even encourage him. He was kind and sincere, and he did not judge her or accuse her of being a harlot. He did not think her spoiled and selfish. When he called her a princess, he meant it as the highest compliment. When Alexi did so, he meant it as a slur—as an indictment of her character!

Elysse danced her eighth dance of the evening, a smile pasted on her face. The handsome squire, Sir Robert Haywood, was a widower of thirty-five, and considered an excellent catch. He had called on her a few times, but she hadn’t ever had any real interest in him until that night. As they danced, she kept smiling at him, refusing to look about the ballroom. She did not want to set eyes upon Alexi, not ever again.

Their friendship was now over. She no longer found him fascinating, much less attractive—oh no. The dashing boy she had once loved as a child had turned into an awful, mean-spirited man. She hoped he stayed away five years this time! And she hoped Louisa trapped him into marriage. It would serve him right.

Tears burned behind her eyelids. She could not understand why she felt so hurt. To be hurt, one had to care, and she most definitely did not care about Alexi de Warenne. She batted her lashes rapidly and beamed at her dance partner as they finished the country waltz.

“You have never been as lovely, Miss O’Neill,” Haywood said, bowing. “I had no idea you were such a superb dancer.”

She took a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, trying to banish Alexi de Warenne from her mind and her life, all the while hoping he had noticed how many admirers she had. Not that she meant to make him jealous, as she did not. She couldn’t care less if he was jealous or not, but other men found her beautiful—other men did not think her character defective!

The champagne was delicious. “Thank you, Sir Robert. And thank you for such a wonderful dance. I do hope you won’t neglect me as you have done these past few months, sir.” She sipped from the champagne, aware that she had drunk more than her usual two glasses. She didn’t care. Without the champagne, she might not be able to hold back her ludicrous, inexplicable tears.

“I hadn’t realized you wanted me to call again,” Haywood said, flushing. “But I will gladly do so.”

Elysse encouraged him to call another time. When he had left her side, she quickly finished the champagne before rushing off to the dance floor with Jonathon Sinclair, one of the men who had offered for her. He was very tense and flushed, and she instantly knew he still desired her. He said, whirling her about in a German waltz, “I didn’t think you’d give me a single dance, Miss O’Neill.”

“Of course I would give you a dance.” She smiled at him. “I have been looking forward to it all evening long!”

He started. “Why are you being so kind?”

“Do you think me unkind, sir?” She feigned hurt, slipping her hand across his shoulder.

“Of course not,” he said harshly, missing a step. “I think you are as kind as you are beautiful!”

“When you next call on me, I will explain myself to you completely,” Elysse said. Even as she spoke, a little voice inside her head told her she was going too far, and she would regret it when he called.

“I will call on you tomorrow,” he said instantly. “With your permission, of course.”

“And I will be waiting with bated breath,” she responded gaily.

After two more dances, she had to beg off, in order to catch her breath. As she stood by a table filled with dessert trays, she caught Montgomery’s eye from across the room. He smiled at her and she smiled back. They’d already danced two times and he had been wonderful, light and quick on his feet. More importantly, his regard had been warm and intent. Perhaps Alexi was right—perhaps he was seriously interested in her. Why shouldn’t she encourage him? He was a seafaring man and she was the daughter of a naval captain. Her father seemed to like him—everyone seemed to like him—and she did not need to marry a fortune, as she had one of her own.

Pain still throbbed in her breast—in her heart—and threatened to erupt if she were not very, very careful.

She walked over to the tray of champagne, wondering if she dare take another flute, wishing desperately to genuinely be happy and gay. Then she could truly enjoy the ball and her suitors. But she felt unsteady in her heels. Surely the champagne would chase the need to cry away. In the past, a glass or two had always made her feel merry. Why couldn’t she feel merry now?

As she reached for a glass, a hand closed on her wrist. “You have had enough,” Alexi warned.

He had come up behind her. She slipped around in such a manner that, for a moment, she was in his arms, her breasts crushed against his chest. His eyes widened. She stared, challenging him silently to deny her attributes. He stepped backward, away from her.

Somehow she knew she had made him uncomfortable. She smiled, pleased. She would never let him see how hurt she was. She was the reigning belle of the ball—the debutante every bachelor wanted—a woman with too many admirers to count and no other cares at all. Surely, he could see that! “I must disagree, Alexi,” she said sweetly. “You may instruct Ariella and Dianna on how much they may or may not drink, but not me.” She smiled archly at him.

His stare narrowed. “Are you crying?”

Was there moisture on her lashes? “Of course not,” she said gaily. Ignoring the pain bubbling in her chest, she smiled as coyly as possible. “Have you suddenly realized that I am a grown woman? Have you noticed how many admirers I have? Have you come to queue up for a dance with me?” And unthinkingly—instinctively—she touched his cheek with her nails and skidded them lightly across his skin there.

He jerked his face back. “I do not want a dance!” He seized her hand, stilling it. “You are inebriated. You need to go home.”

“I’ve only had a glass or two and I am enjoying myself immensely. Aren’t you? Have you even danced a single time?” The pain had miraculously dulled. Alexi was angry with her—and she was pleased.

“No, Elysse, I haven’t danced and I don’t intend to. Cease this absurd pretense! You are going home.” He was final.

“I am not inebriated and I am not going home.” Then she slowly smiled. “Not unless you are offering to take me? Could you so desperately desire my company, the way every other man does?” She lifted her other hand and stroked his cheek. “Oh, wait, I forgot—you are shackled to Louise.”

His eyes were even wider now, his cheeks even redder. “It is Louisa, and I am not shackled to anyone. Are you flirting with me? Would you dare?”

“I flirt with everyone, remember?” she murmured, stepping closer to him. Her chest brushed his satin lapels and she heard his breath catch. She knew a woman’s sense of triumph. He was hardly indifferent to her now! She ignored her own racing pulse. “I am a reckless flirt—no, wait, I am a harlot. You said so, remember? I suppose that makes me just like your paramour!”

“I said you flirt like a harlot,” he said grimly, seizing her shoulders and putting a good distance between them. “Jack can take you home.”

“Like hell he can,” she said softly, swaying against him again.

This time, he did not move away. Elysse thought a fire burned between them. He finally said, “You are making a fool of yourself.”

“Why? Because every eligible man here wants me? Except, of course, for you.” She laughed at him again. “You are immune to my charms…aren’t you? That is why you are breathing so oddly!”

He inhaled. A terrible pause ensued. He finally said roughly, shifting to put a distance between them, “What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing is wrong with me. I am simply enjoying this ball, as one hardly knows when we will have another one. But what is wrong with you, Alexi? Why do your eyes burn like that? Surely—surely—you aren’t filled with desire for me? I am a spoiled and selfish princess, after all. Or does that make you my prince? Are you my Prince Charming, Alexi? If so, I imagine you will sweep me into your arms! Oh, wait. That’s impossible—I forgot—you are a boor, not a prince!”

“You are truly drunk,” he said. “Like a sailor, Elysse. You are going home.”

“No, I am not.” She saw Montgomery approaching, his expression concerned. Montgomery clearly did not like Alexi manhandling her. He was her hero and protector now! “I can’t go home, because I promised William a walk in the gardens. Have you noticed how lovely the moon is tonight? They call it a lover’s moon, Alexi. In case you didn’t know.” She had never made such a promise, but a walk with him outside was exactly what she intended now.

His stare was disbelieving. “Are you acting this way to thwart me? Or just because you gain so much pleasure from playing the coquette?”

She laughed at him, stepping past him and holding out her hand to Montgomery. “I am enjoying a wonderful country ball, and now, I am about to enjoy a walk in the moonlight with my very favorite suitor.”

“Are you all right?” Montgomery asked, looking back and forth between them.

“We are having a family argument.” Elysse beamed at him, taking his arm. “Alexi is practically a brother to me, after all. Surely he has told you that?”

Montgomery glanced at Alexi again. When he looked back at Elysse, his gaze softened. “Do you need some fresh air, Elysse?”

“I should love some fresh air,” she responded, looping her arm tightly in his. As she did, she stole a look at Alexi.

He was angry, of that there was no doubt. “She should go home,” Alexi said to Montgomery, his tone hard.

“I’ll see her home when she is ready to go,” the American returned flatly.

Alexi made a harsh sound. Elysse looked back and forth between both men and knew they were fighting over her. She wished she was thrilled. Alexi deserved everything he got tonight. But instead, she felt the hurt all over again. “Let’s go,” she whispered to William.

Alexi gave her a dark, warning look. Then he turned and stalked away.

“Are you sure you are all right?”

“I am having a lovely time,” she told him, forcing a smile. “Aren’t you?”

He smiled at her, guiding her across the ballroom and out of it. “I am having a good time now. I must say, I wasn’t enjoying myself very much while you were dancing with all those other gentlemen.”

His gaze was serious and searching. He truly liked her—perhaps he even loved her. She had been so wrapped up in Alexi’s return that she had failed to realize just how handsome and charming William was. “You don’t have to be jealous,” she said.

He pushed open a door to the terrace. Because it was late March, it remained chilly at night and no one else was outside, even if the moon was mostly full and very bright. “Not even of Alexi?”

She faltered. “Of course not!”

“Good. Elysse, when I am with you, it is the best time of my life.”

She knew he meant it. She hesitated, recalling Alexi’s last, warning look before holding out her hand to him. He instantly took it and pressed it warmly to his mouth. She suddenly tensed. It was a moment before he released her hand.

She glanced at the terrace doors. Of course, Alexi would not follow them outside, not after that last look he’d given her.

“Are you cold?” he asked.

When she nodded, he took off his tailcoat and slipped it over her shoulders. His hands lingered. “I don’t want to take advantage of you, Elysse. But I am very fond of you.”

“You can’t take advantage of me,” she whispered, wondering if he was going to declare himself. She so needed a declaration of love now. She gazed into his eyes. Alexi was so wrong about him.

“I am glad to hear that. When you smile like that, a man might think it an invitation.”

Her glance strayed past him again. No one was watching them. She did not want to think of Alexi, not now or ever again. Should she encourage Montgomery to kiss her? Why not? He was the perfect suitor—it had just taken her a very long week to realize it! “Perhaps it is an invitation,” she managed.

He studied her and said softly, “I would like to court you, Elysse. My intentions are truly honorable ones.”

She trembled. “You may court me, William.”

He touched her chin, tilting up her face slightly, forcing their gazes to meet. “Good. I will speak with your father tomorrow about a proper suit.”

She didn’t know why she tensed. Her mind raced incoherently. Alexi’s image swam there. But this was what she wanted! “My father has always wanted a love match for me,” she finally said.

His eyes widened and he grasped her shoulders. “Are you saying that you love me?”

She hesitated, well aware that she did not love William—not yet. But she wanted his suit—desperately. Yet she must not lead him on. “I am becoming very fond of you,” she finally said.

He murmured, “Let’s walk out of the house lights.”

She wasn’t certain they should walk into the shadows at the edge of the terrace. But he smiled, taking her hand. “I want to kiss you, Elysse, and I don’t want to be interrupted,” he said softly. “Can you blame me? You are the most beautiful woman in Ireland—and you have just agreed to allow my suit.”

Should she allow him a kiss? Elysse paused, knowing Alexi would be furious if he learned of such behavior. Would a real kiss hurt? Hadn’t she enjoyed being in his arms on the dance floor? And Montgomery loved her—it was so obvious.

Realizing she had acquiesced, he led her across the terrace to the far side, where it was cast in shadow. He had a firm grasp on her arm, and she realized he meant to walk down the three steps onto the lawns. Suddenly she was confused. Did she really want to step so far away from the house?

“You are so beautiful,” he said. And then he caught her face in his hands and kissed her slowly and gently on the lips.

Elysse felt her tension soar. She had never been genuinely kissed. His mouth was very firm but gentle. It was pleasant, but not stunning. When Alexi had touched her in the library last week, her heart had exploded with desire. There was no such explosion now.

Tears butted up against her closed lids. Was this really happening? What was she doing?

“I love you,” he said thickly. “You are a dream come true.”

Elysse met his smoldering gaze and her heart raced. He loved her. He was a good man. Surely she could come to love him in return?

He suddenly put his arm around her. She thought he meant to kiss her again, but she found herself stepping down onto the lawns with him. He took her in his arms and kissed her again.

This time, his mouth was insistent, moving over hers again and again, and somehow she knew he wished for her to open her lips. She held firm, aware that she wasn’t ready, but she reached up for his shoulders. He grunted, the sound very male and shockingly sexual.

Some alarm began. They should stop—he had had his kiss.

But his grasp on her tightened. His mouth moved more roughly, more determinedly, on hers. His kisses were becoming frightening. She wanted to tell him that they should stop, but he loved her. She hesitated. Instead, before she could speak, his tongue thrust deep.

Alarm began as his heavy tongue filled her mouth. What was she doing? She choked. She did not want to be kissed like this! He was a stranger! She pushed at his shoulders, becoming very frightened now, but he didn’t notice.

Fear turned into panic. She told herself that the kiss would soon end—wouldn’t it? And he did love her. But one hand clasped her buttock and pulled her close, and she felt his stiff manhood against her hip. She had never felt that part of a man’s anatomy before, and she wanted to protest, her fear escalating. Instead, she froze.

Still holding her intimately, he broke the fierce kiss. “I love you,” he said, panting.

Before Elysse could protest and tell him that they must go back inside, he swept her back into his embrace, this time taking her down to the wet grass with him.

As his huge body covered hers, Elysse seized his shoulders to press him away—to push him off. Instead, his mouth tore at hers, his breathing heavy and harsh. She felt his hand move beneath her dress and underclothes to clasp her bare breast.

“William!” she somehow cried, but his kiss covered the sound of panic and protest. His arms were like a vise, his body like a clamp. She didn’t know how his huge thighs had gotten between hers. Her skirts seemed to be tangled up around her knees. What was he doing? She couldn’t do this!

And then she felt his hand high up on her thighs, beneath her skirts, only a thin soft layer of cotton between her and him. She bucked and twisted wildly now, desperate.

And suddenly Montgomery wasn’t on top of her anymore.

Elysse saw a blur of movement—and then Alexi was throwing Montgomery aside, his face a mask of rage.

She cried out. He had come to rescue her! She scrambled to stand up as Montgomery turned. Alexi tackled him viciously, head-on. Both men went down to the ground, struggling. Alexi was now on top, pummeling him furiously. She knew he meant to kill him. But Montgomery seized his throat.

Elysse screamed. “Stop! Both of you—stop!”

Alexi glanced at her, the American still choking him. Montgomery used the moment to jerk his knee up at his groin. Alexi twisted quickly away from the blow, and as he did, Montgomery thrust him off, and scrambled aside. Both men leaped to their feet simultaneously, crouching, facing one another.

“I am going to kill you,” Alexi said.

Montgomery said, “I am going to marry her.”

Elysse choked. What had she done?

Alexi suddenly looked at Elysse, his eyes hard and furious. “Are you all right?” he demanded. But his gaze widened as it held hers. She knew her hair was a mess. She thought her lip was bleeding. His gaze slammed down her body and she cringed. She was fairly certain that her dress was askew, possibly torn, and covered with grass stains.

She backed up, panting. She would never be all right, ever again. How had she allowed Montgomery such liberties? What had she been thinking? Why had he turned into such a beast?

“Elysse!” Alexi cried.

Elysse met his gaze, and felt the tears begin in a flood. She wanted to rush into his arms. He had been right. Montgomery wasn’t a gentleman. He had touched her, kissed her, grossly violating her body. She choked and staggered to the wall, to cling to it or fall down.

“I would never hurt her,” Montgomery said harshly. “I would never hurt the woman I love.”

Alexi said softly, dangerously, “Did you think to seduce her to assure that marriage? Don’t you know I would kill you first?”

Montgomery looked at Elysse. “If I hurt you, I am sorry.”

She shook her head, hating him. More tears fell. She trembled, the urge to vomit sudden and intense. “That wasn’t a kiss,” she heard herself whisper. “You touched me.”

“You fucking bastard,” Alexi growled.

Montgomery smiled coldly. “Get lost, de Warenne. I will take care of Elysse now. She is merely a frightened virgin.”

“No!” Elysse cried, horrified at the idea of being left alone with him again. But Alexi was oddly silent—and she saw the knife in Montgomery’s right hand. She froze. It gleamed.

“Leave us,” Montgomery said. “I need to speak to Elysse alone. She needs to understand how a man can become so aroused that he loses all control.”

She felt even sicker now. She had been fooled by Montgomery’s charm, his declarations of love. A true gentleman—a man like Alexi—would never force himself on any woman.

“Leave the two of you? Like hell.” Alexi smiled dangerously. He began circling the American. Montgomery turned, so that the two men continued to face one another.

And Elysse knew her presence was forgotten by them both. This had to stop, she thought frantically, before someone was seriously hurt—or worse! Elysse cried, “Alexi, I am fine. No one is marrying anyone! Let’s go home! You can take me home now!” She heard how terrible she sounded, sobs choking her tone.

Alexi launched himself at Montgomery, reaching for his right wrist. Elysse screamed, afraid that the American would stab him with the knife. But the blow glanced off of Alexi’s shoulder, and Alexi seized his wrist. Both men now strained at one another, their expressions murderous, Montgomery wanting to get free so he could wield the knife and Alexi not daring to release him.

Suddenly Montgomery grunted and dropped the knife. Alexi dived for it. Montgomery dived for Alexi, tackling him from behind. Elysse screamed as both men became entangled, wrestling on the ground, making it impossible to see what was happening. She thought Alexi had the knife. She wasn’t certain. She prayed it would get kicked away from them both!

And suddenly the knife was skidding across the terrace and both men were diving for it. Alexi landed on top of the pilot, grunting, as he seized it. A loud, sickening crack sounded. And Montgomery went still beneath Alexi, cheek pressed against the stone terrace.

Suddenly neither man was moving.

Elysse froze. Alexi got onto his hands and knees, staring down at the American—and she saw that Montgomery’s eyes were wide-open, eerily so.

Elysse gasped in shock. Montgomery was dead?

Alexi slid off him slowly. As slowly, he looked up at her, the answer in his eyes.

Her own horror began.

Alexi looked back down at the pilot. “He’s dead.”

She cried out. “He can’t be!”

Alexi inhaled harshly. “He’s dead. He hit his head on the stone.”

William Montgomery had hit his head—William Montgomery was dead?

“Damn it,” Alexi gasped, trembling. He was fighting his emotions now.

And it hit her. This was her fault—wasn’t it?

Alexi looked up at her again. “Elysse,” he said thickly.

She began shaking her head, backing away. Then she seized her skirts and fled.