Callie whipped around so that her back was to her grandmother. Yes, she said quickly. You are righta breath of fresh air.
She slipped out the door. Her surprised escort hesitated for a fraction of a second, then grinned and hurried out after her.
Callie walked swiftly away from the ballroom toward the darker reaches of the terrace. The winter air was chilly against her bare arms and neck, but, warmed as she was from dancing in the stuffy room, it was at the moment quite welcome. She stopped when they reached the railing that marked the end of the upper terrace, well beyond where her grandmother might see if she looked out the door from the ballroom.
I am sorry, she told her companion with a quick smile. You must think me quite mad, rushing out here this way.
Not mad. Impetuous, perhaps, Waters replied with a smile and reached out to take her hand in both his. I can only assume that you were as eager as I to be alone.
As Callie watched in stunned amazement, he raised her gloved hand to his lips and kissed it, then said, I had not realizedI had hoped, but I did not dream that you might return my affection.
What? Callie tried to tug her hand from his, but Waters was holding on to it too tightly.
She saw now the mistake she had made in her impulsive rush to escape her grandmothers manipulations. With some other gentleman, one whom she knew better, it would have been all right. He would have laughed about her predicament with the duchess and promised to come to her aid. Mr. Waters, obviously, had jumped to the wrong conclusionor perhaps he had simply seen a golden opportunity to advance his suit with her. Callie could not forget her suspicions that the man was an opportunist.
She took a step back, but he followed her, still holding her hand and gazing down fervently into her face as he said, You must know the depth of my feeling for you, the love that burns in my heart.
No! Mr. Waters, I fear that you have misunderstood, Callie replied firmly. Pray, let go of my hand.
Not until you have answered me. Lady Calandra, I beseech you, make my dreams come
Mr. Waters, stop! With a heave, Callie tore her hand from his grasp. I am sorry that I inadvertently gave you the wrong impression, but, please, let us put an end to this conversation.
She started to walk past him, but Waters grabbed her arms, holding her in place.
No, hear me out, he said. I love you, Calandra. My heart, my soul, burns for you. I beg you, say that you care for me, too, that there is in your heart a spark that
Stop this at once, Callie commanded. Let us go back inside, and we shall forget that this ever happened.
I do not want to forget, he told her. Every moment with you is precious to me.
Callie gritted her teeth. His flowery words grated on her, and with each passing moment she was more convinced of his insincerity. This man did not care for her, only for her large dowry, and she no longer had any concern over hurting his feelings.
I would wager that you would like to forget this moment if I tell my brother about it! she snapped, and tried to jerk away from him.
His fingers dug into her arms, keeping her from leaving. He grinned, the loving mask dropping from his face as easily as it had come. Your brother? he asked derisively. You intend to tell the duke that you have been dallying with a man on the terrace? Go ahead. Tell him. I imagine he will insist on an engagement immediately.
You are a fool if you think that, Callie shot back. I have not been dallying with you, and when I tell him what has happened, you will be lucky if he does not hand your head to you.
Really? His eyes brightened with a dangerous light. And will he be so ready to dismiss me with your reputation compromised beyond repair?
He jerked her to him and bent to kiss her.
Oh! Callie let out a low cry of anger and frustration, and brought her hands up, pushing at him as she twisted and squirmed, turning her face away from him. She kicked out, landing a shot square on his shin.
Waters cursed as he struggled to control her, dragging her across the terrace to pin her against the wall. Callie felt the rough stone through the thin material of her dress, and she dug her fingers into the mans shirt, gripping whatever flesh she could and twisting. He let out a gratifying yelp.
Then, in the next instant, he was jerked away from her, suddenly gasping for air, as a large hand wrapped around his throat and squeezed, pulling him back against the broad chest of the Cavalier.
What? the Cavalier asked in a dangerously soft voice, tightening his grasp. Waters eyes bulged as he flailed ineffectually backward. Nothing to say? No brave words when its someone other than a woman you are attacking?
No, pray, do not choke him, Callie said a little shakily, moving away from the wall.
Are you sure? Her rescuer looked over at her. I think the world would not miss this one.
Lady Odelia might object to a dead man on her terrace at her birthday ball, Callie responded dryly.
He grinned, and his hold on the other man loosened. All right. If you wish it, I shall let him go.
Waters sucked in a gulp of air. Youll be sorry, he began.
The Cavaliers hand tightened on his throat again, cutting off his words. I am already sorry, he said flatly.
He let go of Waters throat and grasped him by the shoulders, whipping him around and shoving him back against the railing. Digging his hand into the neck of Waters shirt, he bent him backward.
Perhaps you are not familiar enough with Lady Pencullys house to know that there is a twenty-foot drop from here to the garden below, but I am. I would consider that, if I were you, before I decided to threaten either me or this young lady again. Lady Pencully would dislike having someone take a nasty fall from her terrace on the night of her birthday ball. However, I assure you that she would quickly get over it, and no one would question an inebriated guest tumbling over the railing to the stone walkway below. And there would be no one to dispute my version of the events, since you, alas, would be dead. Have I made myself clear?
Waters, his eyes huge in the darkness, nodded mutely.
Good. Then we understand each other. The Cavalier stepped back a little, allowing Waters to stand again, but he did not release him just yet. Looking the other man straight in the eye, the Cavalier went on. If ever I hear a word about this incident or the slightest whisper of a scandalous rumor concerning this young lady, I will know where it came from. And I will come deal with you. So I would suggest that you keep your lips tightly sealed. In fact, I think it would be a good idea if you left London immediately. A long stay in the country would definitely be in your best interests. Am I clear?
Waters nodded quickly, not daring to look at the man or at Callie.
All right, then. Now go.
The Cavalier let him go and stepped back, and Waters scurried off, never glancing behind him. Callies rescuer turned back to her.
Are you all right? Did he hurt you?
Callie nodded and shivered, realizing suddenly how very cold she was. Yes, I am fine. Thank you. I Her breath caught raggedly.
Here. You are cold. He untied the cape that hung behind him and wrapped it around her shoulders.
Thank you. She clutched it to her and looked up at him.