Page 129 of Rogue of My Heart

He did not believe in ghosts, but the woman before him fit the description he’d been given of Lady Isabel Staunton. She was tall and lean with piercing green eyes. The sun’s rays cut through the fog, casting her in an eerie glow.

There was no way. It couldn’t be. He blinked, then blinked again, but she did not disappear.

Once he recovered from the shock, he noticed her modern clothing and honey-colored hair. The lady wore a flowing mint day gown with a high waistline and short sleeves. A bonnet framed her heart-shaped face, its ribbons tied beneath her chin. She most certainly wasn’t a spirit. Though she had the beauty of an angel.

He opened his mouth to speak.

She marched toward him, wagging one gloved finger. “You have no right to be here, intruder. This is private property. I insist you gather your mount and depart at once.”

Her fearless approach held him captive. He studied her tall frame and blazing eyes, her words barely registered through his fascination. What had she called him? An…intruder?

She came to a halt before him, placing her hands on her hips, then peered at him through the loveliest green eyes he’d ever beheld. “What have you to say for yourself?”

“Are you the owner of this castle?” He searched the depths of her gaze, both angry and amused by her behavior.

She steeled her back, anger flashing in her eyes.

“Answer me.” He rested one hand on the wall, leaning against it. “Do you own Almerry Castle?”

Notching her chin in defiance, she said, “No, I do not.” She pointed one finger at him, holding it just inches from his chest. “But neither do you.”

He could have set her straight right then. Told her he owned Almerry Castle. Instead, he smirked, the urge to bait the chit too strong to ignore. “In that case it seems you are an intruder.”

Her cheeks tinted a becoming shade of pink, yet she did not avert her gaze. “I have far more right to be here than you do.”

He dropped his hand from the cool stone wall and took a step closer to the spirited beauty. Her scent wrapped around him, enticing his senses with vanilla and jasmine. It had been a long time since he’d smelled a woman’s flowery scent. A fact his body could not ignore. He fought the sudden urge to pull her into his arms and said, “How so?”

Camden expected her to back away at his intrusion of her personal space, but instead, she held her ground, her stormy eyes never leaving his. “Not that I owe you an explanation, but I reside in the area and saw light coming from the windows last night. I felt it was my duty to check on the castle.”

“And your husband allowed you to march over here and confront an unknown intruder?” The words left his mouth before he had time to consider them. It was a pointless question. He did not care whether she was married or not. Courting was the furthest thing from his mind.

“My parents did not know my intentions,” she said, her tone cheeky. “Not that my marital state is any of your concern.”

A smile spread across his face, though he could not imagine why. He certainly did not want the viper-tongued lady for himself. Still, he rather enjoyed verbally sparring with her.

He angled his head so his lips hovered just in front of her ear. “I could be dangerous.”

She flinched but did not step away from him. “I am not afraid of you.”

“You should be.” He straightened, meeting her gaze once again. Not a hint of fear reflected back at him. The chit was either daft or made of steel.

“I will not allow you to intimidate me,” she said, as she crossed her arms over her chest.

He leaned back against the wall, his gaze locked on hers. “I am Captain Camden Beauchamp, descendent of Sir Ariston and Lady Isabel Beauchamp and rightful owner of Almerry Castle.”

The lady’s eyes flashed with anger, her hands fisted at her sides. “Why didn’t you say so the moment I arrived? Why play games when the truth would have been simpler?” Without giving him the opportunity to answer, she pivoted and marched for the stables exit.

He closed the distance between them, then took hold of her elbow. “You were too busy ordering me off my land to have listened.”

The words he spoke were not entirely true. He’d baited her on purpose for his own amusement, but he never expected her to become so upset. Now his deception caused his chest to squeeze as he stared at her striking profile. The woman was truly beautiful.

She did not flinch, nor did she spare him a glance. She stood frozen upon the green summer grass, her back straight and shoulders squared as though she’d been carved in stone-an ornament belonging to the castle. After a long moment, he released her.

Without as much as a sigh, she strolled toward the gatehouse.

He narrowed his eyes as she moved further away, her feminine form washed in the sunlight and fog, hips swaying with each step. She’d been brave to confront him. It was an admirable trait. He should apologize. Give her credit where she had earned it. He’d wager very few people would have taken an interest and sought to protect his property. At the least, he owed her for that.

“I am sorry for not revealing my identity sooner,” he called after her. “I should not have bated you as I did.”