How to Steal a Thief's Heart - Bree Wolf Page 0,41
glass in her hands?
“Allow me to freshen up your drink.”
And then he was gone, and Caroline gulped down a deep breath, willing her wits to recover, to take up position and ready themselves. Now, more than ever, she needed them.
I want you.
His whispered words sent a shiver down her spine, and she closed her eyes, reminding herself that no matter what he said, he couldn’t possibly mean it. After all, no one had ever cared to know her. Perhaps his motivation was less than honorable. In all likelihood, it was. Perhaps there was a wager at White’s. Perhaps he needed something from her in order to win it. But what? A dance? A kiss?
Then why hadn’t he simply charmed her? Caroline wondered, having witnessed many rakes and the games they played. As a well-established wallflower, she lived on the cusp of other people’s lives, almost invisible, but there nonetheless.
If Lord Markham was like them, then why was he not charming her? Paying her compliments? Why was he riling her? The look in his eyes had told her that he did what he did with intention. He wanted to ruffle her feathers, but why? What was in it for him?
“Here.” Appearing beside her as though out of nowhere, he settled the glass back into her hands, his own lingering for a second longer than necessary.
“What do you want?” Caroline asked, turning to look at him. “Why are you here?”
His dark gaze lingered, studying her before he took the chair to her right. “I’ve come for the pleasure of your company, dear Caroline.” A wicked smile curled up the corners of his mouth as he shifted in his seat, his hand brushing her knee as he did so. “Do you object?”
Surging to her feet, Caroline thrust her glass back into his hands as he followed suit. “Yes, I do object,” she snapped in hushed tones, praying that no one was taking notice. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from addressing me so informally, my lord.”
His grin widened and, once again, she felt his body move closer to hers without him taking a single step. “What address would you prefer?” he teased, his gaze lingering in a way that quickened her breath.
“Miss Hawkins, if you must,” she told him, knowing that she’d done nothing to dissuade him. That cocky smile of his told her everything she needed to know. He was far from done with her. Whatever he wanted, she’d only stirred his interest by losing her temper and lashing out at him. What was she to do? What if he kept seeking her out? What if he were to notice things? Like her spectacles?
He took a sip from her lemonade, then held the glass in front of him, his knuckles only a hair’s breadth away from touching the fabric of her dress. “I have an altogether different one in mind,” he whispered, leaning closer, and she could feel the back of his hand brushing against her belly. “More fitting.”
Caroline sucked in a sharp breath before she set her jaw. Why did he keep touching her? To unnerve her? To make her lose control? Indeed, if she could not dissuade him, then she would have to look for an alternative solution.
Inhaling a deep breath, Caroline decided to risk it all. “Well, apparently, there’s nothing I can say that will see you walk away. So pray tell, what is it that you want?” she demanded, her eyes now meeting his without the slightest hesitation. “I will not for a second believe that you’re here because you enjoy my company.”
The left corner of his mouth twitched as he watched her, something odd lurking in those dark eyes. “Ah,” he mumbled, “there she is.”
Caroline frowned. “I beg your pardon.”
Once more glancing around the room, Lord Markham moved to stand at her side, pretending to observe the dancers. “Why is it that you pretend to be someone you’re not?” He chanced a look at her, his gaze traveling from her head all the way down to her toes. “Why are you wearing this disguise?”
Cold shivers chased themselves down her spine as she willed air into her lungs. “I do not know what you mean,” she forced out through gritted teeth. “If you dislike the way I dress, then you’re welcome to—”
Shaking his head, he chuckled. “Why can you not simply answer a question?” He moved to look at her. “What are you hiding?”