Lord Errick Shorn, Earl of Tourlaine took in the mass of glittering debutantes and inwardly groaned. He was tired of the endless crowding of simpering young ladies vying to be near him. In their over-eagerness to please, conversations were limited to what they thought would please him. Yet they had no idea and never took the time to find out what he was interested in.
Before he could become ensnared by any more of the influential matrons pushing their daughters at him, he stepped out onto the dimly lit patio. It was too cold for anyone to be out walking in the cool evening air but warm enough that he could stay out for a good while and not freeze.
Glancing back into the ballroom, a tall dark-haired beauty that he did not recognize caught his attention. The woman was stunning, it took no brains to notice that, but that is not what held his interest. She had a familiar look about her, as if he should know her, but did not. Who did he know that would spark that sort of recognition?
The lady was currently enduring a dance with the Marquis of Waltonbury. And if dancing with him was anything like talking to the man, she was enduring his presence well with a smile he might say was demure or even sweetly forbearing.
Safely hidden outside he openly watched her glide across the floor despite her partner’s heavy-handed lead. She didn’t even wince when the Marquis stumbled a time or two over his own feet.
Once the dance ended Errick watched as she began making her way to the same door he had used to disappear out onto the patio. He melted back into the shadows, keeping an interested eye on her progress. Many people, men and women alike, paused in their conversations to watch her pass.
Surprisingly she made it outside with no major hindrances, no one seemed to notice her slip out after all the attention she had received simply walking across the room. He watched her give a hearty sigh once the door closed.
“Escaping?” He rumbled softly, not wanting to scare her too much.
The small smile on her face vanished. He couldn’t even hazard a guess as to what she was thinking of his intrusion. “I beg your pardon?”
While she attempted to sound scornful Errick inwardly smiled, allowing her to step back a pace.
“I saw the look on your face when you came out. Complete relief.” Just like my face must have looked like only minutes ago.
“I…yes.” Her face was a kaleidoscope of artfully suppressed emotions. “It was becoming rather stifling in there.”
He nodded, holding back his chuckle of agreement.
The woman’s eyes darted back toward the party. “May I ask why you are out here?”
Errick watched her glance about before settling her gaze on him as she awaited his answer. “I find I am in agreement with you, milady. Stifling. Was it the heat or the company?”
The tantalizing woman shook her head, causing her tight ringlets to bounce and sway. Errick had to fight the urge to reach out and snatch one. The impulse shocked him.
“If I admit to either I could get in trouble.” She chided softly.
And he was hooked. Here was a striking woman with whom he didn’t mind conversing with. In fact, he was quite enjoying himself. “Who would I tell?”
Her head tilted fractionally to the side, as if measuring his worthiness yet she held his gaze. “I don’t know you, so there is no end to the possibilities of who you could tell.”
He was inordinately pleased that he had greeted this fiery spark of a lady. “Good point.” Errick acceded. “Any chance you will answer what brings you here?” He took a step towards her.
After a long silence she looked into his eyes with a glittering sparkle. “To this particular event?” At his brief nod she continued, “My mother accepted on my behalf.”
Immediately he knew the reason she had come out to the patio; to hide. “Ah. So you are an unwilling participant.”
She made an odd little scolding tsk as she slowly shook her head at him. “There you are, trying to get me in trouble again.” Her soft teasing smile offset her tone.
Realizing that he had cornered her. He stepped back and gestured over to a nearby bench. “Just trying to get to know you.”
“Without getting to know me.” She moved toward the bench, glancing his direction as she passed him. As they went and sat on the chilly stone bench he feigned surprise. “What?”
“You know what I mean.”
There was silence between them for several moments, though not an uncomfortable one, when she smiled. “You have yet to introduce yourself.”
He relaxed and bowed his head. “I am not the only one who has failed to do so.” The grin he shot her was meant to encourage her to introduce herself first. Instead he watched her spine straighten and her slender shoulders draw back.
Full of practiced haughtiness she declared, “I was just introduced inside. For all I know, you already know who I am and are toying with me.”
“That argument can go both ways. You may already know who I am and be acting the innocent. However, I must confess, this is the most entertainment I’ve had in ages. Meeting you has been a delight.”
Again her head full of curls shook furiously. “I concede. Whether you already know or not, I am Lady Arabella Bourrada.” The incline of her head was as gracefully executed as a full curtsey.
The shock that thrummed through him invigorated his senses while he fought back the momentary alarm that accompanied the sensation. He recognized the name. Her mother was always going on about her most eligible daughter. “Lady Eleanor’s daughter.”
“You know my mother?” Her wary surprise made his smile return full force. There was something so alluring about how genuine her expressions were, even when she was trying to hide them beneath the veneer of polite gentility her mother had no doubt drilled into her.
Letting out a soft chuckle he nodded. “Everyone knows your mother if she has anything to say about it.” Purposefully he left out his own name. It was obvious that she did not know who he was and he was enjoying his anonymity. He didn’t want to spoil the moment. Yet her own curiosity pushed her to be more forthcoming than he suspected her to usually be.
“Who are you?” The words burst from her lips as if pushed out without her consent. The bright blush that followed confirmed it.
He stood up and bowed low to her, extending his arm to escort her back inside. “It has been an absolute pleasure to become acquainted, Lady Arabella. Forgive me for my lack of manners in not introducing myself sooner. I am Lord Errick Shorn, the Earl of Tourlaine.”
Have you read Arabella’s Point of View of their mutual fondness for hiding on balconies? Read here.
