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The women were a kaleidoscope of color in their elegant gowns and opulent jewels that caught and reflected the glow from hundreds of candles. A cloud of rich perfume seemed to envelop them.

The men were preening peacocks, bowing and strutting, hoping to attract the attention of their elegant hostess, who had, it seemed to Felicity, made a valiant effort to put aside her unhappiness.

Honora was, in fact, the life of the party; and though she danced with many men, she saved the most dances for Ian St. John.

Felicity watched as they swayed to the music, their bodies touching, their faces bent in intimate conversation.

They made no effort to hide their passion.

Ian said something that amused Honora. She laughed, then looked up into his eyes and whispered to him.

His arms tightened around her, and as he and Honora swept past Felicity, the sound of their laughter trailed behind.

Felicity was relieved when the dance ended.

With a slight bow to Lord Summerville, she slipped past the crowds and opened the door to a brick-paved courtyard.

She stepped into the cool shadows, closing the door behind her.

After the raucous laughter and raised voices, the silence was a welcome relief.

She felt overwhelmed by so many emotions.

Disgust at Honora and Ian, for they would sacrifice anyone to have what they wanted; fear of the coming confrontation, for she knew that she would fight them, to the death if necessary, to save Lord Falcon and his son; and exhaustion, because she stood alone against such evil.

But, she reminded herself, she wasn’t completely alone.

“Tired of dancing?”

At Gareth’s deep tone, she turned. As always, the heat surrounded him like a shimmering cloud.

“There is no one in there I care to dance with.”

He paused and arched a brow. “And out here? Is there no one out here you care to dance with?”

Felicity had never flirted in her life, but there was something about this man that brought out an imp in her. Suddenly all emotions were swept away except one: a sense of pure joy in his presence. “There might be.”

With a smile he glanced around, then brought his gaze back to her. “I don’t see anyone else. Could it be me, Miss Andrews?”

When she didn’t respond, he made a gallant bow and said, “Miss Andrews, may I have the honor of this dance?”

She steeled herself for his touch, and for the warmth she knew would follow.

But instead of drawing near, he stood apart from her.

Amazingly, even from that distance, she felt his arms encircle her.

Nothing could have prepared her for the potent feelings that raced like wildfire through her.

At the touch, she saw the haze of heat around him begin to shimmer and vibrate and knew that he felt it too.

Music filtered through the closed doors.

Soft, muted, it seemed to play only for them.

She closed her eyes, imagining him holding her close.

As one they moved, their bodies swaying, touching.

His warm breath feathered the hair at her temple, and he drew her even closer, until she could feel his heartbeat in her own chest.

How safe she felt here in his arms. How right.

She glanced up at him and saw that he wasn’t smiling now. As he looked down at her, the look on his face was so fierce, so intense, she felt her breath catch in her throat.

“What is it, Gareth? What’s wrong?”

“I must leave you soon.”

“Leave? But why? Why now, when I know who is causing all the evil at Falcon’s Lair? It’s only a matter of time until I find a way to stop them. And what about us, Gareth? We’ve only just discovered each other.”

“Oh, my sweet Felicity. How the gods must laugh at their creations. We mortals are such foolish creatures.” The look on his face grew pensive. “I wish…”

“What?” she demanded. “What do you wish?”

He shook his head. “I was thinking that, just for tonight, I would give anything if…”

When his words trailed off, she clutched at him, desperate to know his thoughts. “If what?”

His voice was rough with feeling. “If only you could go back in time. Or if I could go forward. But it’s impossible. The dice were tossed long before either of us was born.”

She sighed and drew her arms around his waist, pressing her lips to his throat. “But we have now. We have this time. Isn’t it enough?”

He held her at a little distance, wondering if he should tell her that each time he allowed himself to touch her, he lost a little more of himself, a little more of his power.

“Do you know how desperately I want you?” he whispered.

Felicity’s heart nearly stopped. Never before had she wanted to be with a man.

She’d never even been tempted. But with Gareth everything was different.

With this man she had no rules, no guidelines.

The mere touch of him left her trembling, wanting things—wanting them, yet fearing them.

But, despite her fear, she found herself speaking boldly.

Her voice trembled, as did her body. “Is it possible?”

“What are you saying?” He couldn’t hide his astonishment. “Would you let me love you? Truly love you, as a man loves a woman?”

Slowly, shyly, she nodded.

He cupped her face in his big hands and stared deeply into her eyes. His lips brushed her mouth, his breath mingling with hers as he murmured, “Oh, my little happy face. With love anything is possible.”