The Rebel Heir (20 page)

“I daresay you weren't listening to a word I said,” she remarked, pouting. “What has captured your attention?”

He watched as Evie rounded the tree he'd leaned against only a few minutes ago, her fingers trailing the leaves of a low-hanging branch. A shy smile appeared on her face and grew wide with wonder, no doubt over the decorations and the beauty of the night. He imagined that caged birds would have the same look when allowed to take flight. He pulled his gaze back to the lady's aunt, realizing too late that the look on Evie's face was reflected on his own. “I've only just seen…”

She turned. “Otherwise spoken for, are you?”

“So it would seem,” he grumbled, knowing the truth of his thoughts about her niece had already been revealed.

Lady Knottsby cackled with champagne-infused laughter. “The business you're in town for is becoming quite interesting, Lord Crosby.”

“You have no idea, my lady. No idea at all.”

Some nights were simply made of magic. Anything was possible, if one only dared to climb out the window and shimmy down the rose-covered trellis in her best gown to get there. Tonight, Evangeline had dared.

Colored-glass lanterns lit the leaves of the trees around her, giving the woods the appearance of an enchanted forest. Even Victoria's sour mood hadn't dimmed the moon that glowed just for Evangeline tonight. The stars twinkled promises from above, held fast by the cool night air that met her cheeks. It was lovely, and she was in it.

Nothing could dampen her spirits this evening, not the wide-eyed look of her aunt upon spying her, the tense moment between her once-close cousins, or the mysterious gentleman lurking at Isabelle's side. All she saw was Ash.

“I didn't think you would come tonight,” he murmured once they were able to speak in private. They strolled at the rear of the group who'd chosen to wander along the Grand Walk instead of dining on thin-sliced ham and tarts.

“You made quite the argument in its favor.”

“Did I?” He grinned, slowing their pace to allow a larger gap between them and their party. “It was the mention of fireworks, wasn't it?”

She slipped her hand farther around his arm as she glanced up at him. “You know it wasn't the fireworks.”

“Hmm, really?” He frowned, a playful gleam still dancing in his eyes. “Everyone likes fireworks.”

“Really.”

“I wonder what it was, if not the lure of fireworks. I have it on good authority that I need to work on my salesmanship. I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity for some constructive thought on my ability to provide persuasive argument. I wouldn't want my skills to suffer.” His suggestive tone left no room for interpretation of which skills he was truly referring to.

Evangeline sighed. “You are the single most irritating man of my acquaintance.”

“Good. I attempt to excel at everything I do.”

She attempted to excel at everything she did as well, although she suspected their motivations were quite different. Still, it was nice to have good intentions as common ground. She intended to enjoy every night breeze, firework, and perhaps most of all, every kiss this night had to offer. Tomorrow and the day after that would sort themselves to rights. As long as Ash was at her side, she could be brave and crawl out her window to face the world. When she glanced up at him, a smile covered her face.

Were his intentions good? When tomorrow and the day after came, he might choose to walk away as he had before. Then she would be left to face life alone. “I hope it is true—your desire to excel,” she finally replied.

“In respect to what in particular?”

Your staying by my side and making a life here.
She swallowed that truth and looked up at him. “In…life. I wish the best for you.”

“There's no need to choose your words so carefully, Evie.” He placed his hand over hers and met her gaze. “You can say anything you wish to me. I won't hurt you. I wish you'd believe me.”

They slowed their steps until everyone in their party had rounded a bend in the path ahead. No one seemed to notice their absence, which was just as well since she had no desire to be among their number. Everything she wanted was here—she only wished to keep it a bit longer. How long would they have together tonight? A few stolen minutes, perhaps an hour if they were fortunate? If tonight was all they could possess, she wanted to live every second of it.

“The things you said last night in my bedchamber, about the manner in which you would kiss me.” Her words were rushed. “Did you mean that? Or were you simply spinning a yarn to make me meet you here?” She'd taken a great leap by coming here this evening, and now she was caught in the air, unsure where she would land but hoping it would be in Ash's arms.

“I meant everything I said.” All humor disappeared from his face as he spoke. It was a rare occurrence, the lack of a mischievous smile and twinkle in his eyes. The intensity that replaced it made her short of breath. “I want all of that and more with you. The question is, what do you want?”

Life was just in front of her. All she had to do was reach out and grab it before it passed her by. “I want your lips on mine, Ash Claughbane.”

“Come with me,” he murmured as he pulled her from the path.

She didn't know where he was leading, but she knew she wanted to go with him. Stumbling over tree roots, branches snagging the hem of her gown, leaves stuck in her hair, she wanted it all. The warmth of his hand enveloped hers even through her glove as he pulled her deeper into the cover of the woods. His stride was long, forcing her to scurry behind him to keep pace. Laughing up at the canopy of the trees, she lost herself in the wild moment. She'd never run through a forest before, ignoring the branches that pulled at her gown. How was she to explain… Never mind; she cared not a whit!

Before she could blink, she was in his arms, her breasts pressed to his chest as he backed her toward the trunk of a large elm. The laughter that had bubbled through her only a moment ago simmered into anticipation.

He paused, his hand trailing over her cheek as he watched her. The moonlight dripped down between the leaves, landing on his skin in sultry, glowing dollops of light. Was he waiting for her to speak?

“Ash,” she began, but fell silent as he shifted closer to her. His fingers dipped into the hair at the nape of her neck with intoxicating tenderness. Caught between the desire to savor each second as if it were a delicious spoonful of ice and the desire to rush forward into the night, she tipped her chin up, offering herself to him. She waited with parted lips and lowered lashes, wanting this, wanting him.

She rose to her tiptoes, her heartbeat filling the night air as his lips finally descended onto hers. Commanding a response with his gentle caress, he pulled her into the kiss. Slowly drawing her into some place dark and needy, he pushed past her guarded exterior.

Perhaps
guarded
was going a bit far. There was no barrier between them, no guard, only his mouth on hers. She opened to him before he could ask, tangling her tongue with his, tasting him as he did her. Melting into him even as new tension buzzed within her, she reached for more.

He must have felt the same, because he slipped one hand around her waist while his other hand delved deeper into her hair. Everything about him was warm, inviting her into the dangers his kiss promised. Needing something to root her to this place, she laid her hands on his shoulders. The solid strength of his body surrounded her and pulsed beneath her light touch. His grasp was more reckless than hers, his hands roaming over her back, her neck, holding her steady and making her weak.

He broke their kiss, but only long enough to give her bottom lip a playful bite. The kiss that followed muffled his amused laugh until she darted her tongue out, wanting to taste that mischievous smile that always lingered on his face. His amusement died away as he groaned and pulled her closer.

She pulled back on a ragged breath a moment later, smiling as he pressed his forehead to hers.

“Kiss my neck as you said you would,” she whispered.

“Demanding,” he murmured against her skin, already kissing his way down the line of her jaw. “That's my Evie. Tell me what you want.”

His lips slid down the column of her neck, giving her more than she had asked for. She'd asked for a kiss, but the desire that seeped through her limbs hadn't been expressed in words. Anything she said, he would give her. This was her chance to live, to dive into this experience and not come up for air. She was bold. She could make demands of him—this man who had haunted her dreams was here to fulfill them.

“Touch me…as you described it to me.” She could be open with him. Ash wouldn't judge her like others. “I want to feel…”

“What do you want to feel?” he asked as he trapped the pulse in her neck beneath his lips, teasing her skin with his tongue.

She whimpered and tightened her grip on his shoulders. “I don't know… I've never felt this way before. Or at least, only the times when I've been with you.”

“Put your hands on me,” Ash told her.

“My hands are on you.” The only knowledge she possessed came from him. Other than the way he touched her, she'd only seen couples embrace on the dance floor. Some ladies thought even that was scandalous. Apparently there was a great deal more scandalous behavior to be experienced, and she had Ash to show her all of it. “Is this not how I should touch you? When couples waltz…”

“They are in the middle of a ballroom,” he explained. “We're alone in the woods. Give me your hands.”

“Wait.” She ripped off her gloves and threw them to the ground at their feet.

“Excellent idea,” he murmured against her lips as he kissed her again. He lifted her hands in his, guiding them until the flats of her hands were pressed to his back beneath his coat. Every breath he took, the carefully reined in tension he held in his muscles, every sensation of his body coursed through her hands.

“Ash?”

“Mmm,” he answered against her lips.

He was right. She didn't need to hide anything from him. “I want you. All of you.”

There was a moment's pause in which he stared into her eyes before he curved his hand over her hip, lifting her from the ground. Fireworks cracked through the night sky somewhere above them with great booms of explosive light. His lips slashed over hers in a desperate plea. She wasn't sure whose plea it was at first, but it was matched in equal parts. He pressed her back into the smooth trunk of the tree, letting her feel how much he wanted her as well. Her breath caught in her throat at the pressure against her hips. She tightened her grip on his back, wanting more.

Somewhere in the outside world that had all but vanished around them, a familiar, terrible sound invaded her ears. She didn't want to hear it. She wanted to discover more about Ash. Squeezing her eyes shut, she wished for this night to never end. But then she heard it once more.

“What was that?” she asked, hoping it was only her imagination.

“I can show you, but not in public gardens beneath a tree.”

“No, I heard something.”

“Oh.” He paused. Was he listening too?

Then the sound cracked through the air again, like a whip snapping at the warmth of her skin—her mother's shrill, false laugh. It was the laugh she used when making a show of finding someone amusing.

She focused on Ash. There was no time to explain. She had no time for good-byes. Her only hope was that he understood what she was doing by some shared knowledge visible in her wide eyes.

If Mother was here, and that laugh meant what Evangeline knew it to mean, then Mother knew Evangeline was down this path. Shoving Ash hard in the chest, she pushed him back, catching him off his guard as he staggered backward a step. Ash watched her with a confused look on his face, but didn't move back toward her.

Tugging frantically at her skirts, she looked down to ensure she was put together. It would have to do. There was no time. With quick motions she forced the loose pins back firmly into her hair. She touched her lips, wishing she could trap this night and his kisses there. But she couldn't linger about wishing and dreaming—she needed to leave. Turning, she ran back toward the path from the shadows.

Branches pulled at her skirts and tree roots threatened to trip her, but she pushed past, finally stumbling onto the path. She straightened and began walking toward the bend where she could hear her mother's voice.

As she came into view, her mother's eyes narrowed on her as she made some excuse to the lady at her side. The seconds stretched out as she watched reality crash in on her with every swish of her mother's gown. Like the waves of an unforgiving sea, her mother moved toward her, pulling Evangeline under. How had she dared to imagine she could navigate these waters without Mother's consent?

“Mother,” Evangeline said in greeting once they were alone.

Her mother liked to think her daughter ignored every piece of instruction she'd received in life. In that moment, however, Evangeline stood with perfect posture and completed the most difficult feat of all—she acted as if Ash didn't exist.

* * *

Ash leaned out from the trunk of the tree where he could just see Evie. He'd followed her only a few steps before he heard people approaching. Clinging to the shadows of the woods, he now looked through the low-hanging branches, his eyes on the path just ahead. He rested his hand against the tree, watching as Lady Rightworth reached where Evie now stood. She was standing as close to Evie as he'd been only seconds ago. Seconds, and yet he could feel everything changing as if what they'd shared had just disappeared down the winding path.

“Alooone? Out after the sun has set, on a garden path, with your maid at home? And where are your gloves? It is a good thing I found you when I did, Evangeline Green. I owe my thanks to your aunt for sending a footman for me and alerting me to your arrival.”

“Damn,” Ash whispered to himself. He'd brought this upon Evie. Leering at her in front of her aunt as he had, what had he expected? Even if Lady Knottsby had been foxed, she hadn't been beyond all thought of protecting her niece from him.
Idiot!
He should have known better. He did know better.

“I thought we were beyond such behavior,” Evie's mother hissed over the rustle of the leaves as a breeze blew through the trees. “I should have known someone like you could never change.”

“I have changed, Mother. I do all that you ask of me.”

“I was under the impression that the additional lessons had eliminated the threat of such foolishness. Apparently I was mistaken.”

“I'll try harder, Mother. I shall rededicate myself to the task of—”

“I should think so! I suspected during your summer of madness that you were the same waste of flesh as your sister, but I'd convinced myself otherwise.”