Authors: Nichole Matthews
“
I never leave anything to chance. Shall we say a fated encounter?” His brow rose. Oh this was definitely going to be an amusing diversion for the season. Let’s see how long it takes for her little charade to fall apart. Surely she didn’t think that she could get away with pretending to be a gentleman for the whole of the season?
“
I believe it was due to the stifling heat of the evening,” Piper corrected him humorously with a twitch to her lips. “That is, if I am remembering correctly.”
“
You say chance; I say destiny had a charming hand with our meeting.” He hid a smile as he once again noted she looked everywhere but into his eyes. “But I can agree our encounter was quite heated.”
She felt his gaze but refused to meet it. What a horrid situation. Meeting the man of her dreams and having to pretend that she did not care? “Surely fate has better things to do, my lord?”
“
What could be more important than a man meeting a beautiful woman?” Graydon countered smoothly, giving her a measured look following the path of the charming flush that spread from her exposed collarbone to her cheeks.
Graydon turned towards Parker effectively blocking Piper from making out a signal word of their conversation. All she could hear were whispered murmurings. She knew that look on Parker’s face though. It was the precise look he wore when satisfied by a lucrative business deal, or when he had just added a sizeable portion to the family’s already overflowing coffer. A tiny frisson of excitement made its way to the very tips of her shiny satin slippered toes. Oh, this did not bode well for her charade, or most of all for her heart.
Bowing slightly once again, Graydon turned back towards Piper “I would be honored if you would consent to take a stroll with me in the gardens. I hear they are magnificent.”
“
I do apologize Lord Rockwell, but this set belongs to Lord Portland.” She cast an imploring look towards Chester. “I am certain he has already made other plans.” He represented trouble and temptation and she was beginning to realize she was having difficulty avoiding either.
Chester waved her away dismissively. “Go ahead. We were not dancing anyway.” He grinned at her. “Besides I can see you whenever I please.”
Piper huffed at Chester’s less than flattering dismissal. Once again she bit back a groan, placing her nervously trembling fingers on Rockwell’s outstretched arm. Inwardly fuming,
I’m going to kill, Chester. He was worried about Parker?
She practically growled out loud, glaring at her cousin. He was such a complete dunderhead she thought. If anyone is going to give away our charade, it will be him.
Looking at the top of her head, which barely reached his shoulders, Graydon bit back a grin before tucking her arm securely in his, firmly covering the hand on his arm to anchor her tightly to his side. She was a sneaky little thing, and he wasn’t ready for her to go anywhere; yet. And if the muscle ticking in her cheek were any clue, she was primed for escape as soon as a suitable reason presented itself.
Stepping through the flower wreathed portal into the fragrant garden, Piper’s breath caught. Dozens of lanterns hung from the trees lining the secluded path, the effect quite dazzling. The cooling breeze that wafted around them was a welcome treat after the stifling heat of the ballroom.
Graydon ambled beside her quietly for a while until seemingly without thought, Piper slowed, sighed, eyes closed she raised her face to the darkened sky, a genuine smiled tipping up the corners of her rosy lips. “What a spectacular night. Look at all the stars.”
Graydon gazed down at her as they strolled through the garden side by side. Awestruck by her beauty and innocence; ignoring the night sky all together. He couldn’t recall a suitable description. All of his thoughts seemed inadequate to describe her beauty. Her lack of artifice and her innocence were indescribable. A foreign feeling, something that felt vaguely of peace settled deep in his chest. He couldn’t recall when a lady had so piqued his curiosity, or his fickle and long-jaded interest. “Yes, extremely beautiful. Almost overpowering to the senses.”
Piper opened her eyes only to find her gaze captured by Lord Rockwell’s piercing stare. Surprise flashed in her eyes when she noticed his smile.
Graydon set his head to one side and looked at her assessing for a moment.
Piper managed a weak smile as she lowered her face and concentrated on the diamond stick-pin tucked into his cravat. A moment passed a heartbeat in time as she took a minute to compose herself. Two weeks ago she would have congratulated herself on capturing his attention for a few moments as they strolled through the Wrothingham’s garden alone, but that was before the meeting at the literary club. Now she couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t give her charade away. Everything she saw intrigued her. Because behind his artfully rakish façade, she realized he was much more. She nervously waited for him to call her out, almost wished that he would.
She felt his gaze, but refused to meet it, once again.
“
You look decidedly like a cousin of Portland’s that I recently met,” he finally said his voice questioning. Deliberately, he allowed his gaze to linger on her pretty mouth.
She paused a moment and somehow forced her gaze up, to her shock to see an amused smile play across his lips once again. “How odd,” she murmured. “I’m generally told that I look more like the Peregrine side of the family.”
“
Is that so?” Graydon’s right brow lifted higher than his left. “Now that I think about it, I think Ash mentioned something about that to me as well.”
“
Yes, Parker and I both do,” Piper replied. “Poppy and Peyton look more like Portland’s side.”
“
How very interesting,” Graydon said mildly. “Yet you and Poppy are twins?”
Piper nodded her head in agreement. “We look nothing alike.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “It astounds everyone.”
“
I believe most consider twins should be a matched set.” Reaching a secluded bench, Graydon looked down at her and gestured to the wrought-iron seat. He followed her down, sitting so close that one of his hard thighs was pressed intimately to hers.
The awareness of Piper’s hip unintentionally touching his was possibly the most erotic sensation he had ever felt. Sitting back, stretching out his legs, crossing his ankles he remained silent.
Piper’s eyes flew to his face as the heat of his thigh pressed firmly into hers. She moved a few inches away from him, trying to alleviate the fire burning in her blood. Had he meant for his thigh to brush against hers so intimately? She argued heatedly with herself the entire time. Wasn’t this what she wanted? Didn’t she want him to want her?
Sitting very erect on the bench she made every effort to maintain a proper distance from him with her hands folded primly on her lap. “Peyton tells me you are in the running to try and steal Lansdowne’s mount at auction.”
“
I’m always game for new horseflesh.” He watched as her small white gloved hand reached up to tug absently at her earlobe. His eyes lowered to her lips, watching transfixed as Piper’s tongue nervously flicked out to moisten the rosy curve of her mouth. His eyes narrowed. He rubbed his chin before he spoke, “Ash told me you are working on organizing a new literary club…”
He was interrupted as an uncontrollable fit of coughing overtook Piper and rivulets of tears streamed down her cheeks. Graydon reached into his coat pocket, withdrew a monogrammed linen handkerchief and handed it to her.
Thankful that he at least carried a substantial scrap of linen, she wiped her eyes then took a deep breath before gazing sheepishly up at him through her shimmering lashes. “When have you and Parker had occasion to discuss me?”
He flicked his wrist negligently, “We discuss all manner of things.”
“
It seems as if Parker has been needlessly boring you with stories of my interests. Most would find literary clubs quite tedious compared to the other excitements London has to offer.”
He leaned forward and fixed her with a dark, intense gaze. “There is nothing about you that I find the least bit boring, my dear.”
Her expression grew still, “B-b-but you barely know me, my lord,” Piper stammered, tilting her head to one side, considering his comment.
“
It’s amazing what one can learn in a short period of time if they are truly attentive.” A smile tipped the edges of his mouth. He looked into her eyes—eyes full of desire and fear. He knew what she was afraid of, but he wasn’t ready to play his hand just yet.
“
I apologize for my impoliteness. I fear I have been unforgivably rude to you. Fighting you at every turn, it seems that we have had less than a satisfactory first meeting my lord.”
“
Second meeting,” he reminded.
“
Second meeting,” she repeated, continuing to dab at her watery eyes.
“
Why would you say that? I’m found our first meeting quite satisfactory.” He sat back his shoulders relaxed. He grinned as a gleam possibly of amusement stole into his eyes.
“
And you have been informed correctly. I am working on a ladies literary club.”
“
Have you already begun your literary club gatherings?”
“
No, I haven’t officially started anything. I keep finding myself distracted by other things.” She sighed wistfully. “I just have a dream of starting a club where woman can have intellectual discussions without fearing a negative response from polite Society.” She rolled her eyes. “As you well know, Society looks down at women for having interests outside of stitching pillowcases or refurbishing an old bonnet.”
“
I’m impressed.” His eyes held a serious glint, but he wasn’t ready to officially reveal his secret even though she had already seen him at the last club meeting. He still had an advantage; she didn’t know that he knew.
Piper gave an inelegant snort, trying to hide it behind a cough. She pressed his handkerchief to her mouth to hid the grin that started.
He cocked his brow. “I’ll have you know I enjoy having intellectual conversations with men as well as women.” Her sweet perfume floated in the air around him seducing his senses, recognizing he hadn’t been this content in a long time. “Do you have other interests outside of intellectual pursuits?” He inquired with true interest.
“
You will probably think it all silly, but I am currently learning to paint on glass. Poppy taught the older girls at Auntie Adele’s school last year, it is much more difficult than standard watercolor.” She looked self-consciously at him. “I’m currently working on a piece for my sister and Hawksley. They are expecting their first baby in a few months.” The smile that spread across her face was contagious. “I thought it could be a nice addition to their nursery.”
Graydon rubbed his chin. “I’ve heard of glass painting, of course. I’m sure you will find this difficult to believe, but I have actually seen a few amateur examples. My sisters are still young and that is one of their required tasks, to complete a tolerable example of glass painting to insure they are properly brought up young ladies.” He grimaced good-naturedly. “I have yet to see a tolerable example as of yet, unfortunately I’m required to keep their attempts displayed proudly in my study at all times.”
Piper chuckled at the look on his face. “Young ladies can definitely be a handful, ask Parker.” She giggled. She almost grimaced when she realized she giggled like a school girl. “How old are your sisters, my lord?”
“
Please don’t address me as
my lord
. It is too impersonal and we are becoming friends, are we not?” He angled a thoughtful look towards Piper. His jaw tightened at his attempt to tame the urge to reach out and explore the vast amounts of bare skin revealed above the low neckline of her gown. “You can call me anything but that.”
“
Anything?” she teased, her lips pursed as she played with the handkerchief in her hands trying not to grin
He scowled at her attempt at humor. “Play nice, Piper.”
Her heart leapt at his use of her name.
Say it again!
She felt her cheeks warm. “Well I will have to think of a suitable name for you.” She stared at him as if in concentration. “It may take more than one meeting, I fear. You must be patient with me. What does your family call you?”
“
Believe me; you do not want to know.” He chuckled. “Not for polite company. Especially my sisters, I undeniably should have a word with their governess.”
Piper laughed a hearty, infectious sound, gazing at him in wonder. “I do believe Rockwell, there is a side of you that you’ve managed to keep well hidden from polite Society.” Her brow puckered as she paused only long enough to cast a thoughtful look at him, “You have a soft-side.” She watched in interest as his jaw-tightened briefly. “I bet your sisters have you wrapped securely around their fingers.” She wiggled her little finger in front of his face.
Graydon scowled, making an odd snorting sound that could have been a laugh. Squaring his shoulders, his amber eyes bore into hers in direct challenge.
Her lashes flickered but she held his gaze, direct and unflinching. “Oh, pooh. Do behave. You don’t scare me with that look.” She batted his arm with her fan. “I insist that you tell me more about your sisters?”
A slow smile curved his mouth, and he truly had a most wickedly appealing mouth.
Piper’s heart rate quickened to a rapid thud that vibrated throughout her whole body and an odd quivery feeling fluttered in her belly. Was it wrong for her to imagine his lips pressed to her?