“Stop! Don’t say that! Miss Kingsly is one of my dearest friends! She’s simply… shy,” Lenore interjected, but her statement lacked conviction at the end.
“Shy? No. Miss Kingly is not shy. She’s simply unavailable,” Hewett corrected and gave his wife a conspiratorial grin.
Bloody Hell. Hudson blinked a few times, resisting the urge to shake his head. Yet there it was, the slow dawning of realization as he recognized the color of hair, the proud tilt of her chin. Miss Emma Kingsly had indeed grown into a beauty, a diamond of the first water. Even now, years later, his body still reacted to her in the same way. Desire — hot and unforgiving. He forced his gaze back to Lenore, trying to focus on their conversation. Anything to alleviate the haze pulsing through him.
“Well, if I had to find my sister in such a state…” Lenore’s voice trailed off, her face turning white. “Never mind. Her family is brilliantly wealthy. There’s no need for her to marry.”
“Miss Kingsly is against marriage?” Hudson asked as his gaze found her delectable form once more, this time his eyes strayed to her hips as they swayed. He could hardly tear his gaze from her!
“She’s not against marriage. She simply is not interested in it for herself,” Lenore assured.
“I see.” Hudson spoke distractedly.
“There are few men in this room who don’t devour her with their eyes, just like you’re doing presently… but I’m warning you. You’d best look elsewhere if you’re seeking matrimony,” Hewett advised.
“Who said I was seeking matrimony?” Hudson offered his friend a cocky grin and excused himself. Lenore’s voice followed him.
“This will be worth watching…”
Hudson chuckled. Fine, let them be his witnesses. Perhaps Emma Kingsly — Miss Kingsly now — could be enticed… not by marriage, but by a man.
****
Emma felt the stares of the men heat her back. She’d be lying if she said that she didn’t feel a certain satisfaction in wearing her beauty, but it was simply for the day, the moment. In the end it didn’t last. Years later, it wouldn’t be enough to keep any man’s devotion. So she enjoyed it while it lasted. Someday she’d be a spinster without the attention and she’d be content to know she had already had her moment in the light.
She turned to the left, avoiding a large cloying bouquet. Already her nose was twitching! Why was everyone in the ton obsessed with flowers this season? Why couldn’t they simply let them live in the garden, away from her cursed nose? At least outside, the air dispelled the scent enough to relieve her from the constant twitching of her nose, but inside. Oh dear. She hoped she wouldn’t sneeze.
A glass of champagne was offered to her and she took it readily, inhaling deeply as she took a small sip. The new scent alleviated the tickling in her nose and she expelled a sigh of relief. Her gaze drifted about the room as she waited for something interesting to snag her attention. A tall and broad-shouldered gentleman winked at her from across the dance floor. Her brow furrowed and she glanced away. After a moment she glanced back at the man. His wicked grin seemed to widen, revealing white teeth against darkly tanned skin. She offered a tight smile in return, then spun on her heel and walked away.
Who was that man? She knew most of the men who routinely attended these gatherings. Since everything that had happened to her sister, she had made it quite understood that she wasn’t on the marriage mart. Rather, she was here for personal reasons. The suitors had come to a halt and she was thankful. No one flirted with her in earnest. Yet that man seemed quite determined in his gaze, in his attention. Perhaps he was visiting family.
“Emma?” Lenore’s voice called to her and she turned to find her friend approaching.
“Lenore! There you are!” Emma smiled in return and welcomed her dear friend. If there was any couple that almost restored hope to the idea of marriage, it was the Earl and Countess of Hewett. There had never been a couple so in love, at least none that Emma had witnessed herself.
“I wanted to warn you… I met a gentleman tonight who seemed quite taken with you.” Lenore’s voice dropped in volume and her eyes scanned the crowd behind Emma, then widened. “And here he is…”
“Excuse me?” Emma questioned and began to turn, but Lenore shook her head.
“Countess Hewett. A pleasure to see you once again!” A rich baritone voice demanded Emma’s attention. As she turned towards the warm sound, her eyes widened. The very same man who had winked at her from across the room was now standing beside her. He was taller than she’d assumed, reaching a good six inches above her five-foot six-inch frame. His hair appeared to have reddish highlights from the sun and his skin was indeed quite tanned. He bowed crisply and then turned. His eyes were the color of melted chocolate and immediately Emma’s body betrayed her with a warming attraction. His gaze seemed oddly familiar and confident, as if he knew her already.
“A pleasure, Miss Kingsly. I’ve been anticipating making your acquaintance once more.” He bowed and accepted Emma’s hand, placing a light kiss to her glove, creating a wave of awareness that overcame her. “I believe one of our more memorable interludes included a cold refusal, but in your defense, you were only nine.” His grin widened and a rakish gleam filled his eye.
Shock caught her completely unaware, stalling her usual quick wit. It couldn’t be! “Hudson? I mean… Lord Daventry?” Scrawny Hudson with the muddy brown eyes? He hadn’t been around for years! Wasn’t he in India? That explained the warm color of his hair and tanned skin. Her manners kicked in and she remembered the reason for his return to London.
“Please accept my condolences for your loss. Your father was a wonderful man.” Emma spoke reverently.
“Thank you.” He nodded and turned to Lenore, who had obviously been watching the entire exchange judging by the crooked grin on her face.
“I… er… Please excuse me,” Lenore murmured demurely and hustled away, leaving them alone.
Emma watched her friend leave and narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t be upset with her. She is probably just missing her husband. I must say it’s refreshing to see two people so much in love.” Hudson’s voice drew her attention back to his gloriously handsome face.
“Yes. I’m very pleased for them.” Emma took a deep breath and waited. Hudson gave her a wicked yet enticing grin. To her intense displeasure, he seemed satisfied to simply stand there like an idiot.
“How was India?” Emma asked after a few silent moments.
“Splendid. I do miss it, I must admit. Though I don’t miss the insects. Absolutely miserable.” He offered a mock shudder.
“Is it all that we read about? Or quite different than you expected?” Emma asked after another moment.
“Both. One cannot accurately describe the climate or culture. It’s far different from anything we’ve ever seen. But you can be better prepared by reading about it, I’d say.” He spoke lightly, yet his intense gaze betrayed his light words and made her want to squirm.
Emma found her suspicion and confusion growing by the moment. He’d often worn that same expression as a lad, and it had never bode well for anyone. Finally, she couldn’t handle it anymore.
“Just what are you doing?” she whispered, glancing about to make sure they didn’t have an audience.
“Splendid. It’s working then!”
“What’s working?” Emma asked impatiently.
“Oh, nothing. It’s pleasant to know you haven’t changed that much, Emma. I mean… Miss Kingsly. You’ll save me a waltz later?” He bowed and left before Emma could refuse. His shoulders seemed broader as he walked away. The tight fit of his coat accentuated his masculine form and Emma scolded herself for the physical attraction she felt. It’s only temporary…
Chapter Two
Hudson walked away, strutting a bit, knowing that Emma watched his departure. Well, he didn’t think he was interested in matrimony, but with curves like hers and a spicy temperament thrown in, she was a tempting package. Like the curry spices of I
ndia, her fire only made her more delectable. If one woman existed who held the power to tempt him to such a fate, it was she. Indeed, she had grown into every inch the beauty he had already seen at the early age of nine. Her sister was beautiful, but Emma was captivating. Her blue eyes sparkled with intelligence, and her delicious body would haunt his dreams at night. He’d have to thank the Countess of Hewett later for excusing herself. He knew he liked that woman!
He chuckled to himself as he remembered the growing suspicion and impatience in Emma’s gaze as he deliberately held his silence. She was as easy to tease as ever! He had forgotten what pleasure could be taken from pestering her! Surely it could become his favorite new hobby. His lips split into a devious smile. Although, he could think of far more intriguing things to do with Emma… or to her.
“Daventry.” Hewett’s hand rested on his shoulder and Hudson turned to his friend.
“I had quite forgotten that you knew Miss Kingsly so well. Lenore said that she was positively beaming around you! I never thought I’d see the day…”
“Oh, she was something, but I wouldn’t mistake her reaction as a pleasurable one. I’ve known her for years but most of them involved me either pestering her for my own entertainment or asking for a kiss.”
“No! You don’t say! I knew you had your conquests, but Miss Kingsly?” Hewett shook his head and chuckled.
“I started young… I think she was nine.”
“My, my.”
“I’m still injured from her harsh rejection.” Hudson winced playfully.
“Well, I’m glad that she had some sort of reaction. She’s become quite cold, as if there were ice flowing through her veins. Perhaps you can warm her up?” Hewett nudged Hudson and wagged his eyebrows.
“We’ll see.” Hudson shook his head and glanced over as the orchestra began to play. “I must say I’m thrilled to have secured a waltz though… at least I think.”
“With Miss Kingsly? She’s a graceful dancer. You’ll have to fight your way to get your chance. She won’t entertain suitors, but there’s not a man who doesn’t jump at the opportunity to hold her during a waltz.”
“Always wanting what they can’t have?”
“Precisely.”
“I’ll just have to make sure my offer is one she cannot refuse.” Hudson nodded and began to walk away.
“Yes… you do that.” His friend’s amused voice followed him as he went to claim what was his…for she was his, she just didn’t know it yet.
****
Emma danced the quadrille and a few other sets before her flesh began to tingle with a strange awareness. She glanced away from her current dance partner, Lord Restington, and began to search for the source. She missed a step and smiled an apology before returning to her search. She scanned the crowd and finally found him leaning against a pillar next to the far wall. Hudson’s chocolate gaze watched her intently as his lips curved devilishly. Emma nodded to him then gave her attention to Lord Restington.
Yet, as much as she tried to keep her attention on her partner, her mind kept replaying the intense gaze that seemed to penetrate all she had build up around her. Indeed, it was as if he could strip down all she had created in defenses and pour heat into her very soul. She couldn’t shake the sensation of knowing his eyes followed her. In her distracted state, she mis-stepped a few additional times, cursing Hudson in her mind for her own inattentiveness. If he thought she would dance with him after this, then he had another thing coming.
The set finished and Lord Restington escorted her to the refreshment table. He nodded and left without so much as a word. But that was what she expected, that was what she wanted… wasn’t it? A strange hollow feeling filled her briefly before she pushed it away, reminding herself that love wasn’t worth the risk.
“I thought you were a better dancer than that.” A silky voice spoke from behind her, close enough that his warm breath tickled the flesh behind her shoulder. An involuntary shiver of pleasure rocked her body, but she refused to be moved.
“And I thought it was impolite to stare.” She quipped as she turned, raising an eyebrow at his handsome smile.
“I would rather call it… observing.” He chuckled and reached for a glass of champagne. His gaze bore through her as he lifted the fluted crystal to his lips and took a deliberate swallow. The motion widened his lips and made them appear fuller, tempting, and far too attractive.
Emma delicately cleared her throat and glanced away, resisting the urge to use her fan to cool off her heated skin. What was wrong with her? This was Hudson, for pity’s sake!
“I do believe this dance belongs to me.” Hudson’s deep voice broke through her self recriminations and she glanced at him, blinking. Without giving her a chance to respond, he began to escort her towards the dance floor. “I don’t remember your refusal… at least not this time.” He chuckled.
“No one can fault your memory,” Emma responded crisply as she walked beside him. She tried to keep herself stiff and unmoving even though the heat from his body radiated through the thin fabric of her dress and created a swirling sensation in her belly.
The music began and Hudson pulled her into the position for a waltz. The warmth of his hand at her back was distracting. How many men had she danced with, not once noticing that very same sensation? Why was he different? She stiffened as he pulled her in closer, resisting his strength. He lifted one side of his mouth in a lopsided grin but relented. Emma gave an internal sigh of relief. Never had she been so tempted to give in and throw caution to the wind… just a bit. But any crack in her wall would surely weaken the integrity of her resolution.
But oh, Hudson did tempt her.
Which was why she determined that she must never waltz with him again. Ever. Smoldering gazes and warm embraces only lead to ruin, whether you shared his title or not.
****
Emma danced with a grace that moved him in many ways. Her feminine form fit perfectly into his arms, though he would have preferred her much closer than the proper distance. In fact, Emma had made sure that there was more than the proper distance, much to his chagrin. He watched as a myriad of emotions passed over her beautiful features, each becoming more obstinate than the last. She always had been a stubborn one.
The way she shivered when he had approached her and spoken in a low voice next to her ear spoke of a mutual attraction, but he needed more than that. Even now the proud tilt of her chin let him know that he was in for a battle if he wanted more than a few polite words and perfectly spaced dances.
What had changed in her? More importantly, how had she changed his mind concerning marriage? Hadn’t he balked when his mother suggested the idea? Hadn’t he told his friend Hewett that he wasn’t interested? He had traveled the world, tasted the lips of many a beautiful woman who’d eagerly shared their bed. Why now was he suddenly finding the prospect of marriage more and more appealing? The answer was simple, because he found Emma more and more appealing.
Perhaps it was only because he had not been with a woman in quite some time. Yet, part of him wondered it that was truly the cause. Emma had always stirred to life some strange attachment that he couldn’t shake. Too bad he didn’t seem to stir the same intense emotion… but perhaps he could, if given time. The question was, did he want her that much? Was he willing to pursue her, be named the fool for trying? She was known for her cool demeanor… Was he willing to sacrifice a significant measure of pride in order to attain a higher prize?
He gazed intently at Emma, searching her eyes for the answer. What held her back? Was there some secret that he wasn’t privy to that made her untouchable, not by choice but by design? He felt his eyes narrow as he studied her further. She held his gaze defiantly, refusing to blink or back down. Her back stiffened slightly under the warm hold of his hand, and he grinned inwardly at the challenge she seemed to present. Pressing the thoughtful questions to the back of his mind, he decided to take a risk. His eyebrow arched as he smiled and gave her fingers a slight squeeze.
“What are you doing?” she asked through clenched teeth.
“Waltzing.” Hudson gave her his most innocent expression.
“That is not what I’m speaking of.” She glanced around at the crowd and then to him with a flushed face.
“I do believe you’re blushing.” Hudson leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone. Her lips parted into two scarlet ribbons and her pink tongue flicked out to moisten them. He almost groaned out loud at the delectable picture she presented. His body tightened with awareness, and his senses were flooded with her spicy scent, the slight heat from her body.
“They are staring.” Emma’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Of course I’m blushing, you’re creating a scene.” She glanced up, the blush gone, replaced by a stoic expression that held no emotion. Hudson decided he hated that expression.
“Perhaps… but you were already the center of attention. I don’t see why you’re upset.”
“I was not the center of attention.”
“You indeed were.”
“There are dozens of beautiful young debutantes filling the room. I’m already considered on the shelf.”
“Deuced blessed shelf,” Hudson replied.
Emma closed her eyes and appeared to try to collect her patience. Truly, Hudson couldn’t remember a time when he had enjoyed himself so thoroughly!
“What I’m trying to say is—”
“Emma. You are stunning and equally as stubborn. You may consider yourself on the shelf, but I guarantee you that few men in this building aren’t willing to go to great lengths to change your mind. Just because you believe something, doesn’t make it true.”
To Refuse a Rake Page 2
