One Step Behind by Brianna Labuskes

Author:Brianna Labuskes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: victorian; london; england; earl; thief; blackmail; enemies to lovers; revenge; select historical; entangled publishing; historical romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Select Historical)
Published: 2016-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Gemma was buzzing by the time they arrived at Vauxhall. They had taken a boat across the river to get to the pleasure gardens, and she had never felt more exotic. She’d wanted to draw a lazy hand through the river, even though she knew that would not have been a smart idea.

But it wasn’t just the excitement of the adventure that was making her blood hum and her pulse skitter. It was him.

She hadn’t even tried to deny it or justify it to herself. She just let her eyes have free rein over his features. Something pulsed deep within her when a lock of dark hair fell over his eyes. The feeling was so new to her that she could barely put a name to it. But in the quiet of the night she recognized it for what it was.

Desire.

They joined the mass of people streaming into the pleasure gardens. Some were masked; others were decked out in marvelous gowns. The excitement of the crowd shot through the air like lightning.

She was determined to enjoy the night and put the investigation out of her thoughts as they strolled toward the brightly colored tents. Music and laughter floated by. It was similar to a ball, Gemma thought, but she preferred the gardens. Being outside under the blanket of stars and inky night sky felt somehow magical, like anything could happen here, and did. A small child dashed by, a lolly in hand, giggling wildly; an older man helped his wife onto a bench to wait for the fireworks; a group of young men guffawed and punched each other’s arms, putting on a show for the ladies who had just walked by with their chaperones. And underneath it all was an undercurrent of wildness—a sense of inevitability since they were all free from many of society’s strict rules.

“Do you come here often when you are in town, my lord?” she asked, nodding to an acquaintance she recognized.

“Almost never, actually. My parents brought us when we were children, of course. But I have only been back a time or two since then,” he answered.

“Why did you want to bring me here tonight?” she asked, curious.

It was as if he were courting her.

The fanciful notion was captivating but dangerous for her heart to believe. They were partners on a case, nothing more—regardless of the desire that sparked across her skin when he touched her, or the feeling that blossomed in the pit of her stomach when he turned those emerald eyes on her.

He was quiet for so long she thought he might not answer. “One of the last times I came here I had just finished my education. I was about to take on all the responsibilities of an earl’s heir. I knew all my life that was what I was destined to do—run our estates, take care of the family name.” He paused. “I am not resentful of it, but at the time I was feeling…a bit stifled, as young men can.

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