ENTANGLED (30 page)

He adored the way she constantly hummed. The way the light hit her hair and made her glow as if she held the very sun. He even adored the way she took such pains to take care of her gowns, smoothing the wrinkles and frowning over a mere speck of dirt.

Yes, the woman absolutely intrigued him.

Unfortunately, she was doing her damnedest to pretend he didn’t exist. Not that she was indifferent. No, he knew she was attracted to him, he could sense it, smell the desire. A scent that riled the beast deep within. Aidan’s fingers curled around the book he held, his nails digging into the leather binding as he forced himself not to look her way.

Yes, she roused the beast within him when he’d taken such pains to conceal the animal. He could seduce her so easily, but he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t betray Grayson. Besides, he wasn’t what she wanted. What she needed. She’d made that clear upon many occasions. Her words hadn’t been meant for his ears, but he’d heard them all the same.

“
When I marry, he’ll be rich and titled
.”

The bitterness he felt at the words was so unlike him. But then again, so were the emotions he felt when she was near. Hell, it had been years since a female had piqued his interest, and a human female at that. Why here? Why now? And why couldn’t he bloody stop thinking about her?

Aidan sensed Grayson before the man appeared in front of him, silent as a hawk swooping down on a field mouse. “Gray.”

His friend paused under the maple, his pale face intense, his green eyes so knowing that it was hard for Aidan to meet his gaze. “Aidan. How do you fare?”

Aidan dropped the book to the bench, hoping Gray hadn’t noticed the indents from his fingers, and glanced toward the house once more. Mary Ellen had disappeared inside with her younger sister Sally. It was as if the very sun had hidden behind a cloud.

“Well enough.”

Obsessed, that’s what he was. Yes, he’d smelled her scent the moment he’d stepped outside. And like that mongrel, he’d followed the scent to the bench. He’d seen her immediately, that red hair like a beacon even though she was half hidden amongst the flowers, watching him…always watching him although trying desperately not to.

“
You’re always staring at him
,” her younger sister Sally had said, although Mary Ellen had denied the accusation. He wasn’t what she wanted. What she needed. He had to constantly remind himself. But the animal inside didn’t care. The animal only wanted her for his own.

Grayson glanced toward the brittle and brown patch of daisies where Aidan was focused. “What do you find so intriguing?”

Aidan bit back his laugh. “Nothing at all. Merely anxious to be in my own home.” He doubted Grayson would think kindly on the fact that he was imagining seducing his sister-in-law. “How are preparations for the festival coming along?”

“Well, although I can’t claim to be involved. Meg is handling the affairs.” He glanced back at the house, a smile hovering upon his lips. The same smile he wore whenever he mentioned his wife.

How envious Aidan was of the man’s happiness.

Grayson settled beside him, resting his elbows on his knees. “I have a bad feeling about this festival.”

Aidan stiffened. Grayson’s instincts were usually spot on. “What do you mean?”

“You know as well as I that there are those who would see us harmed, if not worse. Those who do not accept our kind. After what happened here, with Meg…” He swallowed hard, the emotion evident, even though it had been years.

“It’s been some time since you were attacked,” Aidan reminded him.

Looking out upon the beautiful and peaceful gardens ripe with reds and yellows of autumn, it was hard to believe there was any evil in the world. But he knew better than anyone what lurked in the shadows. Hell, most would consider him part of that nightmare. Perhaps he was. His former fiancé certainly placed him in the same category as demons and devils.

“I’m sure all will be well,” Grayson said, although it was obvious by the tone of his voice that he was still uneasy. “Meg insisted upon the festival, claiming we must make friends with our neighbors if we are to live in peace. I think she merely wants more allies, should the time come when we need them. But when a woman is with child, it’s best to merely nod and agree.”

“And when she’s not with child?”

Grayson grinned and slid him a wry glance. “Same thing. Nod and agree.”

Aidan remembered that feeling with his fiancé. They’d been giddy with adoration, both trying to please the other, seeing no fault. But there had been one thing she couldn’t overlook. It hadn’t worked with his fiancé and it would never work with Mary Ellen. The longer he stayed here, the more the impossibility of it all tore at his insides.

“You haven’t fed in some time.” Grayson watched him closely, too closely. “You’re pale, your eyes too light in color.”

Aidan watched a red leaf skip and roll across the crushed stone path, chased by the autumn wind. “No, I haven’t.”

“Starving yourself will not change who you are. You need to feed, especially before the festival. All those warm bodies in one room will drive you mad.”

Aidan nodded, although he didn’t agree. He liked to suffer the pangs of hunger. A punishment of sorts for what he’d been born.

Grayson had no idea he’d already gone mad thinking about Mary Ellen, of what he could never have. He’d find no joy in feeding, although his body craved blood as a man in a desert would crave water.

“Before I take my leave, Meg wanted me to remind you that you are welcome to stay here as long as you’d like. Certainly until your cottage is repaired. Of course with four overly emotional females in residence, you might be better off sleeping in a rundown estate.

Aidan nodded, smiling. “Thank you. But I don’t wish to overstay my welcome. The house is almost complete. I shall move within a fortnight.”

Grayson slapped him on the back in a companionable way. “Good to know. You need your own home. A family.”

“A happily ever after?” Aidan replied blandly.

Grayson stood, grinning down at him. The man knew how ridiculous he sounded, but didn’t give a shite. “It will happen. Look at me.”

Indeed. Grayson had the ideal life. A woman who didn’t care what he truly was. Who loved him anyway. Could he ever find that?

“You’re sure you’ll be well enough tonight then? In a crowd?”

Aidan sighed. Was Grayson worried he’d go feral and feast upon the guests? “You know as well as I that I’m not a monster, Gray.” Although he had to admit, some would wholeheartedly disagree.

“Do you believe in ghosts, Miss James?”

Startled, Mary Ellen spun around, her mask tilting precariously with the movement. “How did you recognize me?” As she straightened her mask of blue silk, she realized what a silly question she’d asked, considering she was one of only two people in attendance with red hair. The other guest was forty and male.

Aidan shrugged. It
was
Aidan. Although he rarely spoke, she’d know the sound of his voice anywhere. He wore a simple black suit and a simple black mask, his overly long hair pulled back with a queue. Simply dressed, yet she couldn’t deny there was an elegant ease about him. More than one woman had looked his way when he’d entered the ballroom an hour ago.

“Your walk. Your…”

She waited for one breathless moment, then, forgetting her good sense, prompted. “Yes?”

“Your scent.”

Heat shot through her body, curling down to her toes. She glanced around, wondering how the conversation could so quickly have taken a turn for the inappropriate. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

She was annoyed. Annoyed that he could make her feel such sinful emotions. Annoyed that other woman found him so bloody attractive. Mostly annoyed that she couldn’t have him as her own.

He wasn’t smiling, but his face was completely serious, as usual. Half hidden in an alcove with windows that overlooked the back garden, she felt somewhat safe from prying eyes. But she certainly wasn’t safe from the man.

Flushing, she studied the polished floorboards. “Are you saying, Mr. Callaghan, that I smell quite badly?”

He leaned against the wall, which brought him closer to her. “The opposite, in fact.”

No other explanation. He remained stubbornly silent, watchful. The man left her feeling quite odd. Time actually seemed to stand still when he was near, which was utterly ridiculous. There, in that alcove, hidden by red, velvet curtains, it almost felt as if they were the only two people in the world.

His gaze dropped to her lips, then lower to her neck, even lower still. How she wished she’d taken Meg’s advice and worn the neckline of her blue, silk gown a little higher.

“You didn’t answer my question,” he said, meeting her gaze once again.

“What question?” Lord, she was confused. She couldn’t think when he looked at her with such heat in his eyes. He wanted her. She knew the look of attraction. Had seen the same heated gaze in the lads around town. The difference was that their passionate glances hadn’t stirred her blood.

“Ghosts, do you believe, as the ancient Celts did, that the world between the living and dead is thin this time of year? That spirits can come and go as they please?”

“Nonsense,” she whispered. And it was nonsense, so why did a shiver of unease caress her skin?

He reached out and drew his fingers down her bare arm. “You’re chilled.”

“Your hands are cold.”

He pulled back. “Yes. The autumn air.” He looked away as if suddenly avoiding her gaze. How very odd he acted at times. Bemused, she glanced toward the floor where couples danced in brilliant gowns, their faces covered with masks that in reality did little to hide their identity. Why must he be so bloody mysterious? If she wanted a mystery, she’d read a gothic novel, for heaven’s sake.

“I believe Meg is looking for me,” she lied, searching the room for her sister.

Aidan smiled, a smile that said he didn’t believe her in the least. Still, she didn’t care what he thought. At least that’s what she told herself as she dropped into a quick curtsey and left him. Skirting around a large vase of roses, Mary Ellen hastened her steps. How dare he be so bold? Telling her she smelled. Touching her that way. Overcome, she paused and closed her eyes, resting her hand on her arm where he’d touched her. She swore she could still feel the pressure of his hand.

“Mary Ellen,” Meg called out, waddling toward her.

“Meg,” Mary Ellen took her sister’s hand. “Everyone will know who I am if you go around shouting my name.”

Meg laughed, a merry sound that had more than one man looking her way, even though she was a good seven months with child. The blue mask of peacock feathers did little to hide Meg’s beauty and her dark hair shimmered against the green dress she wore. “Darling, your red hair is like a bloody beacon. Everyone knows you already.”

Mary Ellen sighed, realizing Meg was right. “What is it you need?”

“I’m headed upstairs. I know it’s not right for me to retire before the guests do, but I want to check on Hanna and Sally.” She stepped closer. “And my feet are bloody murdering me.”

“I understand.” Mary Ellen didn’t dare complain, although she would feel her sister’s absence. She didn’t want to be left alone with guests more intent on making mischief than being polite. In London she would never have to deal with men who liked to grope, who drank to excess.

“Aidan,” Meg called out.

Mary Ellen stiffened. How had she not known he was behind her? Her fingers curled into her silk skirts, resisting the urge to run.

“You’ll look after Mary Ellen, won’t you?”

He stepped up beside her and only then did she dare to glance at him. He was smiling, a completely mischievous looking smile that she’d never seen on him before. It worried her, that smile.

“Of course. I shall look after her as if she’s my very own.”

A small line formed between Meg’s brows. She wasn’t the only one to find his comment odd, wondering if there was a hidden meaning.

“Good.” Meg glanced at Mary Ellen one last time, hesitating, then turned and made her way toward Grayson.

Although they were in a crowded ballroom, Mary Ellen felt completely alone with the man. The thought of Aidan hovering over her for the entire night sent icy panic through her veins. She had decided two months ago the best thing to do was to stay far away from him. If he wasn’t near, she wouldn’t experience those unsettling feelings. “I’m not a child. I’ll do quite well on my own.”

“Of course.” His tone and features spoke only of sincerity, yet there was a definite sparkle to his light blue eyes, as if he knew the way of her thoughts and found her amusing.

Just what she needed. A nanny. A completely inappropriate nanny who made her think sinful thoughts. She turned, her skirts flaring wide and weaved her way through the crowds. Lawd, had more people arrived? Surely they hadn’t invited this many.

The cool night air beckoned from the French doors, thrown wide to allow guests to come and go as they pleased.