The Rake of Tamarix Hall: A Novel by North Georgina

Author:North, Georgina
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pepperberry Press
Published: 2023-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

14

Lucius had spent an inordinate amount of time these last weeks thinking of Miss Cressida Ambrose, or rather thinking of her, realising he was thinking of her, firmly resolving to put her from his mind, and repeating the entire process a short while later.

Their interaction at Dryce Hill had left him in foreign territory, and he was as unsettled as he was captivated, although he refused to acknowledge the latter of those two feelings. In the few meetings between them since, he’d been distantly polite, hardly a step above passably cordial at times, unwilling to spar with her as he had done until he was once more master of himself and his wayward thoughts. But then he came through the entrance at Blackbird Hall, up the stairs that would bring him to the ballroom, and of their own volition his eyes found her—and she took his breath away.

He asked her to dance, having convinced himself it was his duty as a guest to honour his hostess, but then her hand was on his arm, then she was in his arms, and for the space of a waltz, Lucius gave himself leave to be someone else—someone who hadn’t watched both parents fade away, someone who hadn’t shouldered too much responsibility from too young an age, someone who could love and be loved without any understanding of what devastation could come from such a seemingly wonderful thing.

He considered himself relieved when she excused herself after their dance but found himself moving once more in her direction, unsure what exactly he meant to do or say, only having a vague sense that he wasn’t quite ready to have done with her company.

Following her had been the only impulsive thing Lucius could ever recall doing, and when Lady Lisle appeared on the other side of the opened door to find Miss Cressida in his arms and the pair alone together in a dark room, he knew the deepest kind of regret.

It didn’t go unnoticed by him that as the lady spoke, her head turned quickly from side to side. Whether there were in fact other people within hearing distance, or she was only hoping so, he couldn’t determine. He also couldn’t determine what kind of trap he’d been caught in when she stepped further into the room and closed the door behind her and her daughter, but that he was ensnared in something was certain.

‘My, my, what a predicament we’ve found ourselves in.’

‘I have not the luxury of understanding you, ma’am.’ As the deep timbre of his voice filled the noiseless room, he felt a little tremor against his chest and realised his arms still held Miss Cressida. With movements as reluctant as they were determined, he released her and took up the space at her side.

Lady Lisle released a practised laugh. ‘Oh, my lord, you’ve been caught in a passionate embrace with a local miss, which, naturally, no one would be surprised by, given your reputation.’

Lucius felt the muscle in his jaw tense, but said in an even, bored voice, ‘Quite right.

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