Haunted Hearts by Teresa DesJardien

Author:Teresa DesJardien [Teresa DesJardien]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Trad-Reg
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Olivia tilted her head, offering her ear to Lord Quinn. A polite smile framed her mouth as she leaned toward him to hear his words over the general hum of conversation around them. Truth was, though, her mind was across the room.

Lord Ewald. His name is Ian Drake, Viscount Ewald. What she’d done with him, how they’d touched, how alive she’d become in those few, wonderful, impossible minutes… Here I am, in the middle of a ballroom, and all I can think is I want to slip away with this Lord Ewald and do it all again…

She’d no more than formed the improper thought than Lord Ewald marched up and offered his hand to her.

She took it, looking up to find that his eyes searched her face. He’d brought forth a smile now. Ought she to smile back? It seemed…wayward, after her thoughts, so she kept her mouth a straight line. See what comes of wanting excitement in this life…

She took her place opposite him, glad they were not to share a waltz this time. Glad, too, that he’d released her hand, for she’d been afraid he might feel the heavy beat of blood through her veins there. The tunings stopped, the other dancers fell into position, and the music began in earnest. It was a country line dance, involving skippings, genteel claps, and changing partners.

He knows me! That it was I who wore the cat costume. What can I possibly say to him? Ought I flee and not even face him?

When they came back together, Lord Ewald spoke. “Is all well with you, Lady Stratton?”

The question startled her. “What do you mean, my lord?”

“The last time we met, I thought you were,” his smiled widened, but somehow not unkindly, “a damsel in distress.”

Olivia considered how to answer him. Would he censure her for her misbehavior that night--or try to repeat it? He couldn’t possibly think her a decent sort. So why not the truth, since he couldn’t think much worse of her? “I was looking for adventure.”

It was a moment before he danced back before her. “It was certainly that.” He smiled again. “I normally wouldn’t question a lady, but why ‘adventure’?”

She sighed, looking down at their moving feet. “Four years of mourning. Papa. Mama.” After a moment, she added, “Stratton.”

“Ah,” he said, traces of humor dropping away. “You have my condolences. I, too, have lost family. My parents.”

“And a wife?” It was an insensitive question, but he’d started the exchange.

Lord Ewald shook his head. “I’ve never married.” It was his turn to pause a little, but then he went on. “That’s why I’ve come to England, actually. To marry. To grow crops, and children. And old.”

She gave a shaky smile at the little joke. He’s come to find a wife…

They were silent for a few moves of the dance. Olivia reminded herself to breathe; it would never do to fall faint at the man’s feet. When his hand touched hers once more, he spoke again. “My lady,

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