He chuckled. “Oh, we said a great deal, I think.”
“And yet I am more confused than ever,” she said as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.
He looked this way and that, then pulled them from the shadows out into the light. Crossing swiftly to the patio doors, they stepped inside. “I’d like to say I could provide clarity, but I’m not certain I can.”
“Tell me one thing.” She stopped and looked over at him. “Did you rescind your offer of marriage?”
He frowned, looking down at her. “How could I rescind what you’ve already rejected?”
Cordelia’s mouth fell open. “I suppose that’s true.”
“You, Lady Cordelia Chase,” he leaned down close to her ear, “are stealing kisses in the garden and rejecting marriage proposals from marquesses.”
A shiver of delight danced down her spine. She snapped her open mouth closed and swallowed. Had he just done that for her? Had he inserted romantic innuendo into this night? She didn’t even care if he’d meant it or not. It was the greatest gift anyone had ever given her. And now she knew. There was a soft side to the Marquess of Malice after all. “Thank you for that.”
He started walking again and she allowed him to lead her, her thoughts swirling about. He’d asked her, just before he’d kissed her, if she’d trade the proposal for the kiss. She hadn’t hesitated and she didn’t regret her choice. But she had a feeling, he was unlikely to ask again.
For whatever reason he didn’t want to marry a woman he kissed in the garden. He only wanted one who was suitable.
A little remorse niggled in her belly. If she’d known the kiss was going to be like that, she might have said yes to the marriage and then stolen the kiss.
Still, it was her first real taste of romance and she’d not tarnish it with second thoughts.
Regret was for the morning.
Chapter Five
Malice pulled Cordelia closer in the crowd, wishing he could take her back out to the garden. Daring, however, would have none of that. If Malice didn’t get Cordelia back promptly at the end of the set, Daring would be swinging at his face again, and this time, the duke wouldn’t miss. Not only that, but Malice would find himself marching down the marriage aisle.
He looked over at Cordelia, trying to discern how he felt about that. He’d taken her out to the garden to tell her more of his story, an oddity in and of itself, and he’d ended up using their time to kiss her senseless.
Pleasure sizzled along his skin. What a kiss. He struggled to remember a time when he’d ever had a touch that had been so intimate. And somehow, that connection had only fueled his passion. She’d been so open and honest with her reaction, so in tune to him.
Her passion was intoxicating and, frankly, dangerous.
He drew in a deep breath. He didn’t want a deep connection. His life hinged upon his ability to keep people at arm’s length. Growing too close had only caused him pain.
Cordelia hadn’t been an arm’s length away just now, in fact, there had barely been a breath between them.
He studied her profile again. She looked the same, little pixie nose, full lush lips, sweet blue eyes and that blonde hair he now wished to see shimmering in the moonlight while it tumbled over her shoulders.
But somehow, she’d been cast in a different light that sparkled with a radiance he’d never seen.
Up ahead, he caught sight of Daring in the crowd. Easy enough since the man was a full head taller than most in attendance. Their eyes met and Daring’s narrowed.
Malice wasn’t irritated, quite the opposite. He was glad that Daring was looking after Cordelia. His friend had every reason to protect Corde from a man like him.
They approached the group, but it wasn’t Daring who intercepted them first.
Diana came up to them huffing a lon
g breath. “She isn’t here.”
For a moment he blinked. “Who?”
Cordelia tugged on his arm. “The countess. Remember? The reason we’re here.”
Oh…her. He’d forgotten all about the woman. Who cared anyhow when a little fairy had been kissing him, sprinkling him with magic dust that was addling his brain and…