Once Upon a Temptingly Ruinous Kiss - Bree Wolf Page 0,93

forced himself to remain behind. After all, it was a family matter and he did not wish to draw unwanted attention. Leonora was on edge enough without more people’s eyes drawn to her.

Yet, he could not help himself. He stayed close by and watched as Phineas turned dangerous eyes upon Lord Sedgwick. The young man flinched ever so slightly, and Drake wished he could hear what was spoken.

To his surprise, Phineas soon after dismissed Sedgwick, who retreated back inside, a look of confusion upon his face.

Drake redirected his gaze out the terrace doors where it clashed with Leonora’s, the force of it almost making him rock back on his heels. It was the strangest sensation, and though he had felt it before, he was not prepared for it.

He could feel her even from far away, her thoughts and emotions so visible in her wide blue eyes. It was almost as though he could read her thoughts, wondering if he was mistaken when he saw her all but beckoning him forward. Did she want him by her side? Even though her sister was pulling her into her arms, Leonora still wished for him to come to her? Was she so afraid? Or…was there another reason?

Moving into the still open door, Phineas beckoned to him, and Drake strode forward without another thought. He stepped outside and then closed the door, the chilled night air swirling around him, seeking to cool the burning rage in his veins. “What happened?” he asked looking at his old friend.

Phineas shook his head. “I don’t know. She said it wasn’t him.” Both strode over to the two sisters, holding each other tightly. Phineas stepped up to his wife and placed a hand on her shoulder. Drake wished he could do the same with Leonora. Her eyes still held his, all but oblivious to the other two with them.

“Leo, what happened? What did Lord Sedgwick want?” her sister asked, giving Leonora a bit of a shake to jar her out of her trance.

Leonora blinked, momentarily taken aback before her gaze cleared. “He…he only wished to apologize for…”

“For what?” Drake growled, feeling his blood begin to boil again. His gaze burned into Leonora’s and he barely noticed the curious glances his friend cast in his direction.

Leonora shook her head, her eyes full of memories. “Not that,” she stammered, her voice trembling with the effort to speak. “For…for that…that kiss.”

Drake inhaled a sharp breath, unable to block the memory of what he had overheard.

Phineas nodded, his posture still tense. “And you’re certain it wasn’t him at the masquerade?” he asked Leonora before exchanging a concerned look with his wife.

Leonora nodded. “I am. I cannot explain it, but I am.”

Phineas nodded. “Very well.” He turned questioning eyes to his wife.

“Perhaps we should return inside,” Lady Barrington suggested, casting her sister a watchful glance. “You need rest.”

Leonora nodded. “I do, but first I wish to speak to…Lord Pemberton.” Drake could not deny that he disliked hearing her address him in such a formal manner. Nevertheless, he longed to speak to her in private. Had she been able to read that longing upon his face?

Lady Barrington hesitated, but her husband took her by the elbow. “Come, we’ll wait over there.” Together, they strolled to the other end of the terrace, occasionally casting watchful glances over their shoulders at them.

Leonora still stood with her arms wrapped around herself as though she were cold, trying to ward off the night air. Shivers shook her, and the look in her eyes made Drake want to wrap her in his arms as well as rush off to hunt down her attacker at the same time.

Clearing his throat, Drake reminded himself that he needed to remain focused as the dowager countess’s words kept ringing in his ears, taunting him even. “Are you certain it was not Sedgwick?”

Leonora shrugged. “As certain as I’ll ever be. I never saw his face, nor do I remember his voice. Everything from that night appears so distant now. It was dark and loud, and…I simply cannot be certain. Yet, when I looked at him tonight, I could not help but think that his words were genuine.”

Drake nodded, willing to believe her, but equally afraid that she might be mistaken. “What about Gillingham?” Drake frowned, uncertain where the question had come from. He had not meant to ask it; nonetheless, he burned to know its answer.

“Gillingham?” Leonora asked with a frown. “What do you mean?”

Dropping his gaze, Drake shifted on his feet, uncertain how