‘Do you find me charming?’
‘Not in the least,’ she replied, even though her expression said the opposite.
‘Then I suppose your suitor is safe in his position of favour.’
A soft laugh escaped her lips before she quickly pursed them together.
‘Or perhaps not,’ he amended, revelling in the odd satisfaction that she found him amusing.
‘My purpose in coming out here was simply to enjoy a bit of solitude.’
‘And I have intruded on your privacy—not well done of me at all. Perhaps we might enjoy the solitude together?’
‘Then it would not be considered solitude.’
‘Semantics,’ he replied with a slight shrug. ‘So, why are you seeking solitude?’
She looked down at her slippers and appeared to give her answer great consideration. ‘I grew weary of people telling me how important they are.’
He wondered if he was like that. He didn’t think he was. Nevertheless, it was probably best not to let her know how important he really was. ‘A bold admission.’
‘An honest one. And what brings you out here? If you were planning on having a clandestine meeting, I fear you are keeping some lady waiting,’ she said with a teasing smile.
‘I’m not. Perhaps I too grew weary of spending time with people I have no interest in.’
‘Than we are of a like mind.’
‘It appears we are.’
Her lips rose into a full smile and for the first time in his life Julian forgot to breathe. ‘You are lovely,’ he admitted, before he could stop himself.
‘Thank you, but I have been told I am much too expressive.’
‘Not to me.’
‘You’re trying to charm me again.’
‘Am I? I thought I was simply being honest. I appreciate a true smile. I find the false ones maddening.’
What in the world had got into him? Perhaps her candid speech was infectious. Her unguarded manner and their frank discussion should not appeal to him, yet he found her entertaining.
She shifted her stance, and her skirt rustled as if she was shaking out her foot. ‘Well, it appears that you, my lord, are not a typical member of the ton.’
If she only knew.
It was as if he was being pulled to her by some magnetic force. His heartbeat quickened as he stepped even closer. Her lips looked so soft. As his gaze travelled down to the small swell of her breasts his fingers instinctively curled. He needed a distraction.
Turning back towards the balustrade, he focused his attention on the stars. He had never attempted to count them before. For a moment longer he could feel her watching him. Then she turned and tipped her face up to the inky night sky.
* * *
Katrina wondered at the sudden change in her companion’s demeanour. There must be some unspoken rule of English Society she had unwittingly broken. During their brief encounter he had managed to make her forget she was a stranger, navigating uncharted waters. But his silence spoke volumes. She would have to peruse The Mirror of Graces again tonight before she fell asleep, to find some clue as to her faux pas.
Their engaging conversation had improved her mood, and she was determined to hold on to that feeling for as long as she could. ‘It appears as if every star in the heavens is out,’ she mused, testing the waters for his response.
‘Do you enjoy stargazing?’
She glanced at him and smiled at his friendly, inquisitive expression. ‘I have been known to occasionally look upon the stars, if that is what you mean.’
‘But can you identify the constellations? Do you know their names?’
She shook her head.
He leaned closer and his sleeve brushed her arm. ‘See that grouping of stars over those trees? That’s the constellation Cassiopeia.’
It took her a moment to attend to what he’d said, with his body so close to her. ‘That’s the name of an ancient Ethiopian Queen.’
He nodded. ‘And that is her constellation. What do you know of her?’
‘Only that her excessive pride in her daughter Andromeda angered Poseidon so much that he commanded the Queen to sacrifice Andromeda to him.’
‘Very good. In fact Andromeda is over there.’
She took note of the stars he pointed to.
‘It is said Poseidon was enraged because Cassiopeia’s sacrifice was not completed,’ he continued. ‘As punishment, he placed the Queen on her throne in the night sky. Do you remember what happened to Andromeda?’
Katrina could feel him watching her and she shifted her gaze back to him. ‘She was rescued by Perseus, whom she married.’
‘She was. Now, Perseus is over there.’ He leaned across her and pointed to another grouping of stars. He smelled wonderful—like champagne and mint.
Their faces were mere inches apart. His lips looked so firm and smooth. For a moment their breaths mingled. Suddenly he jerked his head back, and unwelcome cool night air blew across her face.
She needed to shift her attention away from his lips and recall what they were discussing. ‘Is that truly Perseus, or are you attempting to appeal to my sense of the romantic?’
‘That truly is the constellation Perseus. It is said that Athena placed Andromeda next to Perseus in the night sky when Andromeda died.’
‘Oh, that is romantic.’
He wrinkled his brow as he stared at the stars. ‘I suppose some might consider it that way.’
‘But you do not?’
‘I never gave it much thought until now,’ he replied with a slight shrug.
Their eyes met, and it was as if every part of Katrina’s body was straining to get even closer to him. She needed to get away before she did something embarrassing, such as caress the arm that was now pressing against her own.
Taking a deep breath, she clasped her hands together. They were safer that way. ‘Well, I should return. My party will wonder where I have disappeared to and hopefully the air inside will have cleared.’ She smiled at him and moved away from the balustrade. ‘Thank you for showing me the stars. I can truly say I was not bored in the least.’
He bowed, and when he raised his head she caught the laughter in his eyes. ‘I am glad. I was not bored either. I hope you will find some pleasure in what is left of your evening.’
She curtsied in return and walked to the doors leading back to the drawing room. As she reached the threshold she couldn’t help glancing at him over her shoulder. When their eyes met she lowered her head, and attempted to hide her satisfied smile.
* * *
From the moment she’d left his side it had been impossible for Julian to look away from her. If he had looked away he might have missed that one last glance she’d given him before she entered the house. It didn’t matter that she had caught him staring like an untried boy. That last look had told him everything. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
Pulling his shoulders back and crossing his arms, he tried unsuccessfully to suppress a grin. The novelty of knowing that this woman desired him without knowing his prominent position in Society was exhilarating. Her lemon scent lingered in the air, and Julian took in a deep breath while leaning his lower back on the balustrade.
This night was turning out to be far from tedious after all.
‘Now,