Page 135 of Rogue of My Heart

“You do not have to tell me.” She reached for the door.

“Wait,” he said.

She met his gaze. “Whatever for?”

“As enchanting as the legend is, there are no ghosts at Almerry.”

The doorknob rattled. Rebecca’s face paled. She leaned her weight against the door. “Hurry,” she whispered as she tugged him behind the curtain.

His heart leaped, his pulse hammering as he pulled her close behind the heavy velvet, his back pressed to the cool glass of the window while his insides burned with newly kindled desire.

“Rebecca, are you in here? Mother and Father are looking for you.” A moment later, the door clicked shut.

Camden released the breath he’d been holding.

She glanced up at him, green eyes dark and lips parted. He could no more prevent himself from kissing her than he could stop the tides from rising. He brought his lips to hers and tasted the sweetness of her mouth, his arms tight around her waist. She hesitated only a moment before meeting his demand. She parted her lips, her tongue sliding against his, and the world fell away until all he could feel was her body pressed against his, the softness of her lips against his feeding the fire of his desire.

When they finally broke apart, both panting and flushed, Camden realized with a start what they had done. It was foolish and reckless, but he couldn’t find it within himself to regret it. He had kissed Rebecca, and it was the most exhilarating thing he had ever done.

She looked up at him, her eyes dark with desire and lips kiss-swollen. “We should return to the party.”

Camden nodded, his heart feeling full in a way it never had before. “I’ll go first,” he said before slipping out of the room and making his way back to the music room, eager to leave before his body betrayed him again.

Six

Rebecca tugged on her horse’s reins, slowing the animal as she neared Almerry’s gatehouse. Would Camden accept her apology for the way she’d behaved with him? How would he treat her once she’d trotted through his gates? Would he continue to be the man she’d spoken to last—the one who kissed her—or would he revert to the brute she’d first met?

Her stomach knotted and a wave of nervousness crashed through her as she thought about it. She knew she shouldn’t care what his impression of her was—and yet, there was something about him that enthralled her.

Rebecca had noted how handsome Camden was upon their first meeting. Tall and broad of shoulder with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was enough to make any lady swoon. And the way he’d kissed her... Her heart fluttered at the memories.

Even when he’d spoken to her in such a rude way, she’d found herself enthralled by his good looks. Then she’d discovered he was a soldier. The vexation his earlier words had caused in her morphed into a burning dislike overshadowing her initial attraction. Soldiers were not to be desired or befriended unless wished to invite heartache, and she most certainly did not. Still, he’d garnered a spark of interest within her.

Their meeting in the office caused her initial interest to bloom. Two days had passed, and she’d attempted to keep Camden from her mind, but to no avail. When he’d given her such generous leave to visit the castle, he’d weakened her resolve. Then he’d kissed her, leaving her in an unfamiliar state of longing that shattered her resolve. Soldier or no, Captain Camden Beauchamp captivated her. She sighed. It was impossible to despise such a man as he.

Her eyelids fluttered closed. She could no longer fight him, and she owed him an apology of her own. Her ill manners had been uncalled for and most unladylike.

She drew a deep breath and steered her mount through the opening. There would be no turning back now. Not that she wished to. Rebecca had no desire to turn around. She needed to set things right between them.

Rebecca took a deep breath and straightened her back as she continued toward the gatehouse. As she approached the bailey, her breath caught. Camden stood in the center of the bailey clad in nothing more than a pair of tan breeches. The muscles in his back corded, arms stretched above his head. She stared at him, jaw slack, her gaze trailing over his exposed skin, sun-kissed and glistening. She was mesmerized.

The loud whinny of her horse interrupted Camden, and he spun around. A flush of heat washed over her face, tingling down her neck and chest—he had caught her ogling him. Embarrassment swelled in her as she contemplated what he must think of her now. She wanted to turn away and flee, but found herself unable to move, captivated by the sight before her.

“Rebecca.” His eyes danced as he reached for his nearby shirt. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She averted her gaze to the old stone wall. If her cheeks got any hotter, she’d incinerate. What had she been thinking to blatantly ogle him as she had? He likely thought her some sort of wanton, no better than a harlot, come to gape at his exquisite form.

“I’m decent now,” he said, his tone carrying a hint of laughter.

His deep voice unfurled a fresh wave of longing deep in her core. She wrapped one arm around her stomach. She had to get away from him. She should speak her piece and go before she embarrassed herself further.

He stepped in front of her, reaching for her horse’s reins. “Allow me to assist you.”

She glanced at him, met his gaze just long enough to speak. “I am sorry for the way I treated you.” The tremor in her voice made her cringe.

He gave a devilish grin. “I rather like how you’ve been treating me.”

Her eyes narrowed at the amusement in his gaze. How dare he make fun of her? She’d been right to dislike him, after all. The reprobate enjoyed her discomfort. He was certainly not a gentleman.