Falling for the Marquess - Julianne MacLean Page 0,16
and I don’t think that’s a wise place for you to be at the moment. Not among these people. They have no mercy when it comes to the violation of their rules.”
Clara tilted her face upward and remembered how wonderful it felt to be kissed by those beautiful lips. “Then I should thank you again,” she said sweetly, “for being my champion a second time and warning me away from danger.”
“Not that it did any good the first time. All you did was leap back into the fire. Strange, you don’t strike me as the type of woman who enjoys things hot and hazardous.”
“No? How do I strike you?”
“As the type who doesn’t usually take risks. You seem innocent and free of sin, which makes you stick out like a sore thumb here.”
Clara pursed her lips. “I’m not sure if I’ve been insulted or paid a compliment.”
“It was, for all intents and purposes, a compliment.”
They continued to dance around the room, and Clara considered all that he had said and realized she still knew absolutely nothing about him. Sophia had told her to be creative. How the blazes was she supposed to do that?
“Obviously,” she said, “you don’t attend many balls other than these, or you would not find me so fresh. I’m no different from most other young ladies my age.”
“I beg to differ.”
Still no new information. What would it take? “Shameless compliments,” she said. “Are you always so blatantly charming with the ladies?”
He didn’t reply. The waltz came to an end, and her mystery man stepped back. “I had intended to talk sense into you, but all we’ve been doing is flirting. Stay and dance with me again.”
He was certainly direct. It was quite refreshing, and Clara had no desire to refuse him. “If I am to stay for your lecture,” she said, “you must tell me something about yourself first.”
“Is this a negotiation?”
“I believe so.”
He wet his lips. “Right, then. What would you like to know?”
She considered it for a few seconds. “If you won’t tell me your name, at least tell me why I’ve not encountered you out in society.”
“Because I prefer to avoid the Marriage Mart. Come, let’s dance.”
She finally stepped into his arms and let him whisk her across the floor. “Because you’re already married?”
“No.”
“You’re not married, then? You’ve never been?”
He shook his head and Clara’s heart rejoiced, but there was still so much more she wanted to know.
“Why won’t you tell me your name?” she asked.
“Because that’s not what we do here.”
“I don’t care. I’ll probably never come to one of these things again, and I would at least like to know the name of the gentleman I danced with this evening. You’re not a criminal, are you? A fugitive from justice?”
“No.”
“A spy for the British government?”
He laughed. “I’m afraid not.”
“Then why must you be so secretive? It’s not as if I couldn’t find out who you were if I asked enough people. You must be the only gentleman in London with hair that reaches your shoulders.”
He said nothing for a few seconds while they continued to dance, then finally, when the waltz was nearly at an end, he said, “My given name is Seger.”
The music stopped, and they stepped apart.
Clara liked the name and gazed at his face, wishing she could see what he looked like without the mask…wishing she could reach up and touch that strong chiseled jaw and those perfect, soft lips.
“Since you didn’t give me a chance to lecture you,” he said, “it’s your turn to do something for me.”
“What is that?”
“Leave. And don’t come back here again.”
His blunt request hurt, even though she knew he was only thinking of her safety and well-being.
Further reflection made her feel flattered that her welfare mattered to him at all.
Clara knew she should do as he asked, but she wished it did not have to be so. There was still so much she did not know about him, and she longed to see him again. How would she survive another week of these hopeless longings?
In the end she agreed because he was right, but she wasn’t happy about it. “Thank you, Seger. I enjoyed myself.”
Eyes never leaving hers, he kissed the back of her hand. “As did I.”
At the touch of his lips, a shiver of delight coursed through her. She began to walk away, but he stopped her. “Wait.”
She turned.
“Why did you come back here?”
Clara stared at his green eyes and her heart began to pound. “Haven’t you guessed?”