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G eorgina widened her stance as she held out the slim rapier.

Her free hand raised high behind her, she stared down her fencing master, ready for her lesson that had been moved to the lawn next to the garden.

It was still too early for most of the guests who were here at her parents’ request; even now they maintained Town and not country hours.

Thankfully, at this time of morning she would not need to listen or worry about the snickering from the other young ladies regarding her manly attire.

“ En garde ,” she said, bringing forth her blade in a stabbing motion even while a handsome stranger with light-brown hair flitted through her mind.

He had invaded her dreams during the night, causing her to rise that morning with an ache inside her she had never experienced before.

Perhaps she was coming down with some ailment.

“You appear distracted, mademoiselle,” Monsieur Dubois said as his rapier met hers. “If you cannot concentrate on your lessons, we should cease. I would not wish for you to be hurt.”

The sounds of their blades connecting resounded in the air and Georgina turned her full attention to her teacher instead of musing on the new arrival to Brockenhurst and the way he had deeply affected her.

But Monsieur Dubois was right. She was distracted, and his point was proven when she slipped on the dew-covered ground and landed in a very unladylike heap.

He tsk tsked , and removed his face plate and glove before reaching down to assist Georgina from the ground. “As I said, you are distracted this morning. Perhaps you might prefer to ride out your frustrations before the demands of your parents’ party occupy the rest of the day?”

“You wouldn’t mind?” she asked in hopeful anticipation that she could slip away to the lake and enjoy this small reprieve from her upcoming responsibilities.

“Nor will I inform your mama and papa. Now go, before you are found out and have no other choice than to ready yourself for a full day and night of activities.”

“I appreciate your discretion, monsieur,” she declared as she handed him her blade.

Then before he changed his mind, Georgina ran as fast as her feet could carry her to the stables.

She quickly entered the tack room where she kept a spare pair of riding boots, exchanging them for the soft leather fencing shoes she currently had on.

A stable boy saw her attire and lifted a regular saddle from its rack on the wall.

Georgina nodded her thanks. Though she could and did ride sidesaddle as expected from a lady, she enjoyed riding astride with her legs in close contact with both her horse’s sides.

The lad quickly tacked up her horse and before the stable master could fetch another horse and rider to accompany her, she leapt into the saddle, and was racing out the barn door and down the lane away from Brockenhurst. Her hair came loose from the ribbon she had tied it with that morning, but she couldn’t have cared less.

Instead she reveled in the feeling of complete, untethered, and untied freedom.

She reached the lake at the far end of her parents’ property far too soon.

She dismounted and walked her mare a bit to cool down before leading her to the deep end of the water’s edge for a drink.

Once the mare had started grazing, she went to sit on the nearby wooden bench to enjoy the view.

Predictably and disturbingly, her thoughts wandered to the handsome stranger who’d invaded her dreams. Who was he?

“I had thought a young lad with long hair was escaping with one of the Norwood horses but I can see now I am mistaken.” A deep baritone voice interrupted those thoughts; she’d been so immersed in them she hadn’t realized she wasn’t alone. She turned to see the stranger from her dreams. Oh no.

He came to stand in front of her, blocking her view of the lake.

He brushed a lock of his blond-streaked brown hair from his light-green eyes. Their color reminded Georgina of the color of a tropical sea she’d once seen in a painting. She’d sworn that one day, somehow, she would see that sea in person.

But now, it was here in this man’s eyes.

Whoever he was, he was even more handsome up close.

She was suddenly mortified that a complete stranger would see her attired in her close-fitting fencing trousers that left nothing to the imagination.

Mortified, but determined to portray a relaxed stance when she was anything but, she folded her arms over her chest and took a deep breath.

In spite of her determination, her heart ferociously beat a fast staccato, so loud that surely this man could hear its rapid drumming. She swallowed and shrugged.

“I expected to have a few moments of privacy. I would appreciate it if you would leave,” Georgina said in as jaunty a manner as she could muster.

She didn’t want the company of some lord whose only thought was to marry her for her dowry.

Besides they hadn’t even been properly introduced, and for all he knew, she could just be a local girl from the nearby village.

Surely, if he went away, he wouldn’t recognize her later.

Just in case, she pulled her long hair from over her shoulder to hide her face.

“Is that anyway to treat a guest?” he asked with a raised brow.

Caught. Worse, his voice was deep and velvety, making goosebumps rise over her skin. And worst of all, given his carefree stance, had no intention of leaving.

She could show him that it was of no consequence to her, at least. She gave a shrug. “I care little for those in attendance for the Norwood event,” she answered, not giving her identity away.

“You hardly appear as a young lady should be seen at any hour of the morning. Do you make it a habit of being thusly attired?” he inquired with a scowl of what appeared distaste.

“I dress as I want. No one has ever taken me to task for it,” she answered honestly. What did she care for the opinion of this stranger? He would be gone soon enough and she’d never have to lay eyes upon him again.

“Even your parents, Lady Georgina?” he asked with a shrewd grin.

Damn! He had known who she was the whole time. She pushed her hair back. “I just came from a fencing lesson. I could hardly duel with my teacher in a dress.”

He inclined his head in a nod of acquiescence. “ Touché . That might indeed be difficult, although I have the distinct feeling you could manage such a task.” His reply hinted at his amusement before he continued. “But fencing , my lady? Such a sport is hardly made for a woman.”

Typical, she thought, feeling annoyed at the smug look that flashed across his features.

He was handsome, yes, but apart from that, nothing about the man appealed to her.

Anymore. Georgina stood up and doing so caused her to realize how tall this man was next to her own smaller frame.

A hint of his cologne filled her nose, a citrus and lavender combination that was intoxicating.

She almost did the unthinkable by inhaling deeply.

Instead, she took a step closer, hoping to intimate him into conceding to her wishes for him to depart from the area.

“Don’t you have someplace else you’d rather be?” she asked sharply.

He folded his arms over his chest and the linen of his shirt stretched to the very limits of the fabric, revealing a muscular set of arms and a wide chest. Of course.

“No, not really,” he murmured before reaching out to boldly run a finger down her cheek.

“Why would I want to leave when I have your lovely self to keep me company?”

She took another step closer to him, hoping it would show him she wasn’t about to be intimidated by his manly…

muscled… arrogance. But, as she tilted her chin to glare up into those beautiful—no, amused —green eyes, she realized it was having the opposite effect.

Oh, if only she had her epee ; she’d poke him in the thigh.

But then, perhaps, he read her mind, because the amusement left his eyes and he stepped back and away.

“I am not here to keep you company,” she declared frowning. “As I just politely asked, would you please leave?”

“I’d rather we get to know one another.” He shrugged.

Annoying man! “We haven’t even been properly introduced!” she said through clenched teeth.

A curious expression lit his face. “You really don’t have any idea who I am, do you, little one?” he asked in an amused voice.

“Nor do I care who the devil you are,” she replied, even though her traitorous heart fluttered at his endearment.

A low chuckled rumbled in that broad chest of his. “If I’m the devil, then I believe I’ve just encountered an angel.”

She tsked . Did he think she was so brainless as to be seduced by such a Banbury tale? He came closer again. Georgina wasn’t sure if she should stay and tell him what a pathetic clod he was, or if she should turn, mount up, and ride away.

The truth was, she shouldn’t be alone with this man. Was he another fortune hunter, seeking to compromise her? Another Lord Pendleton? Honoria wasn’t nearby to rescue her. This was a disaster!

And then he spoke once more; his words made her heart flip inside her chest. “Those lips look as though they need to be kissed, and often.”

She gasped. Of all the… “And I suppose you think you’re the man to do it?” she answered in raw anticipation of what her first kiss might feel like, even though she would never allow him to get that close to her.

Her mare snorted close by, drawing her attention away from him; she noticed that he was standing rather close to the edge of the lake.

In fact, his riding boots were already getting wet as little waves lapped at them, but he seemed too preoccupied with their conversation—or his seduction techniques—to even notice.

And just like that, an escape plan came to her mind. She bit the inside of her lip to keep herself from smiling. No, she thought, go on and smile. He’ll think you’re expecting his kiss, the arrogant sop. So Georgina gave in and let herself grin.

“Oh, I know I am and you’ll enjoy it too,” he explained, far too confidently. Predictably, he began to lower his head toward hers.

He honestly expected to kiss her!

“You braying arse,” she fumed, giving him a look that—if he had known her—he would have been aware of what she planned next.

Lifting her arms, she gave his muscled chest a mighty push and watched in satisfaction at the look of surprise that flashed across his features.

He stumbled and his arms windmilled. Those lovely green eyes grew wide and then wider as he propelled backward, lost his footing, and—just as Georgina had planned—fell into the lake with a satisfying splash and a deep kerplunk sound.

The water was up to her waist at this section, so she was pleased to see him fold in half and disappear beneath the surface. Predictably, he came up sputtering, with his hair plastered to his head. Georgina didn’t wait around to listen to him curse. Instead, she took off toward her horse.

Once in the saddle, she couldn’t help but take one brief look backward with a smug bit of satisfaction. Her handsome stranger was only now rising from the water much like a beardless Greek god. He was magnificent, although she would never give him the satisfaction of letting him know.

Instead, she sent her horse galloping back toward home. She was pleased with the way she handled the arrogant rake, and could only pray that her parents didn’t hear what she had done anytime soon. If ever.