An odd ripple seemed to stir the air as the midnight eyes abruptly narrowed.
“I see. And what did he tell you?”
Simone absently rubbed the rash of bumps upon her arms, sensing the tension that flowed from Gideon. Not for the first time she wondered precisely what had occurred between this gentleman and Mr. Soltern to create such animosity.
“That you were less than honest, with hidden motives in seeking me out. He also implied you were a fortune hunter.”
His smile held a grim determination. “I am, indeed, a hunter, but not of fortune.”
She eyed him warily, for the moment forgetting the reason she had allowed herself to be lured to the garden.
“Then what do you hunt?”
His gaze briefly lifted to sweep through the darkness that surrounded them, almost as if he were searching for someone, or something.
“Those who would seek to destroy my home,” he at last retorted in fierce tones.
Simone frowned at the mysterious words. Did he speak of a traitor to his country? Or a personal enemy that sought to harm his family?
“This Mr. Soltern is one you hunt?”
“Yes.”
She considered him for a long moment, wishing he were not so terribly clever at hiding his emotions. The pale, perfect features gave nothing away.
“What does this have to do with me?”
The dark gaze abruptly returned to her face, the uneasy tension fading as he allowed that mocking smile that so annoyed her to return to his lips.
“The time is not yet right to reveal such information.”
Feeling as if she had neatly been put into her place, Simone eyed him with a jaundiced frown. She wondered if he was deliberately offensive to keep her at a distance or if it was simply his nature.
“Fah.” She snapped open her fan. “You wrap yourself in mystery in the hopes of beguiling me.”
The dark brows rose in a taunting fashion. “I need no mystery to beguile you, my love. There are far more pleasurable means of doing so, if I chose.”
Her teeth clenched. “Is that so?”
“Shall I demonstrate?”
He stepped closer and Simone momentarily battled the urge to flee to the safety of the ballroom. Those earlier shivers of dark excitement returned as she felt the heat of him caress her bare skin.
Hoping she appeared far more assured than she felt, she gave a lift of one shoulder.
“If you wish.”
“Actually I am confident it is your wish,” he audaciously retorted, lifting a slender finger to trail it down the low cut of her neckline. “I would not desire to disappoint you.”
Her eyes widened, as much as from the shocking heat that flared through her body at his touch as by the arrogance of his claim.
“Why, you ...”
She had not quite decided upon the proper insult for his outlandish behavior, but in the end it did not matter as he abruptly lowered his head and claimed her lips in a branding kiss.
All thoughts faded as she was struck by a bolt of lightning that singed her from her lips to the tips of her curled toes.
Shimmering heat cloaked about her and the faint scent of... what was it? Cinnamon? A musky spice that clouded her thoughts and filled her senses. She leaned heavily against his hard, chiseled form as her knees became weak. His mouth moved with a practiced skill and Simone gave a low moan of pleasure.