Page 20 of His Scarred Duchess

“Edmund—”

But he was already moving, pushing through the French doors and out into the cool night air of the garden. He heard his grandmother call after him once more, but he didn’t turn back. He couldn’t bear another moment in that glittering, false world.

As he strode deeper into the garden, the sounds of the soirée faded, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant trickle of water. Edmund felt some of the tension leave his shoulders as he breathed in the fragrant night air.

He was just considering finding a secluded bench to collect his thoughts when an unusual sight caught his eye.

There, silhouetted against the moonlit sky, was a figure attempting toscalethe garden wall.

Edmund blinked, sure he was imagining things. But no, there was definitely someone—a woman, judging by the voluminous skirts—trying to climb the wall. And making a rather poor job of it, at that.

As he watched, the woman’s dress caught in one of the decorative spikes atop the wall. She tugged at it frantically, her movements becoming increasingly desperate.

Intrigued despite himself, Edmund moved closer. He couldn’t fathom what would drive a lady to attempt such an undignified escape. Was she in some sort of trouble? Or was she merely seeking a thrill?

He was nearly upon her when she tugged hard at her dress. The sound of tearing fabric rent the air, followed immediately by a most unladylike curse.

“Blast it all to Hades!”

Edmund couldn’t help himself. He laughed. “Are you quite all right up there?”

The woman whirled around, nearly losing her balance on the narrow ledge she’d managed to reach. As she steadied herself, her face caught the moonlight, and Edmund felt his breath catch in his throat.

Green eyes, flashing with fear and defiance, met his.

Chapter Nine

“Are you quite all right up there?”

The amused male voice cut through the night air, startling Adeline so badly that she nearly lost her precarious grip on the garden wall.

She whirled around, her heart pounding, to find a tall man standing below, his face hidden in shadow.

“I… I’m perfectly fine, thank you,” she managed, her voice higher than usual. “Simply enjoying the evening air.”

The man took a step closer, moonlight revealing a quizzical expression on what she couldn’t help but notice was a rather handsome face.

“From atop a wall? How novel. I must remember to try it at my next social engagement.”

Adeline felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. Of all the times to be caught in such an undignified position!

She scrambled down from the wall, wincing as she heard the distinctive sound of tearing fabric.

As she turned to face him, her hand instinctively rose to her cheek, smoothing down a loose strand of hair to cover the scar that marred her face.

She braced herself for the inevitable look of disgust or pity, but to her surprise, the stranger’s expression remained unchanged. His gray eyes met hers steadily, showing no sign of revulsion at her appearance.

“Yes, well,” she said, brushing down her skirts with as much dignity as she could muster, “I find conventional methods of socializing rather overrated.”

The stranger’s lips twitched, as if fighting a smile. “Clearly. Though I must say, your technique could use some work. The proper way to scale a wall is to use the vines, not the decorative ironwork.”

Despite her mortification, Adeline felt a spark of indignation. “Oh? And I suppose you’re an expert on clandestine escapes, Sir?”

“Not at all,” he replied, his tone light. “I simply prefer to use the gate when I feel the need to flee a tedious gathering.”

Gate?

Adeline’s eyes widened.