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M acie had never considered herself graceful. Heaven knew she could manage to stumble over the tiniest lump in a carpet, slip upon the slightest of rain puddles on the pavement, or tumble over her own skirts. That questionable talent was the reason she’d ended up in Finn’s strong hands in the first place. But somehow, it had never become a matter of concern.

Until now.

Familiar notes in three-four time filled their makeshift ballroom as Nell’s fingers moved skillfully over the keys, but Macie struggled to follow the precise rhythm. Somehow, following the lead of her partner had never before seemed so difficult. Finn’s every movement seemed mechanical. Awkward. His every step appeared to be an act of drudgery.

“I’m not quite sure how to put this,” Nell observed without missing a note. “The waltz is romantic. Perhaps even seductive. And what I’m seeing now is definitely... not.”

“Romantic, eh?” he repeated in a gruff voice. “Blasted nonsense, if ye ask me.”

“If I might be so bold, I’d suggest that you relax a bit,” Nell went on.

“What man could relax while waltzing with Calamity Macie?”

Forcing a little smile, Macie purposefully stepped on his foot. “At least now when you complain of smashed toes, you’ll be speaking the truth.”

“Oh, dear.” Closing the lid over the piano keys, Nell stood, leaning her bustle against the piano as she folded her arms at the waist. “This act will not fool anyone, much less a determined suitor.”

“We will figure this out,” Macie countered, despite the nagging realization that Nell might be right.

Finn released Macie from his easy hold. “I agree with ye. This is an impossible task.” A hint of a smile curled his mouth. “But in my life, I’ve heard that many times and proven the naysayers wrong.”

Nell looked as though she wanted to be cross with him, but that impulse was no match for the charm in his eyes. “I would suggest behaving as if the two of you want to be in the same room.”

“A monumental challenge if ever I’ve heard one.” A touch of humor flavored his tone.

Nell’s brow furrowed, as it tended to do when she mulled a problem. “Perhaps there’s no need to worry over the dances. I don’t imagine heiress hunters would be deterred by your nimble footsteps in the ballroom. But a little romance might send them running. Those fops do not want to tangle with a jealous man.”

Finn shrugged. “A little romance, eh?”

Nell offered a sage nod. “What better way to nudge a pesky suitor to set his sights on a dollar princess who gives a fig about a title?”

“My fists would make more of an impression,” he said, sounding as if he was not jesting.

“My, that would be a rather delicious scene, wouldn’t it?” Nell clearly enjoyed the dramatic notion.

“Let’s hope it does not come to that,” Macie said. “Creating such a stir would not be prudent.”

His brows hiked. “Since when has Calamity Macie been known for her prudent ways?”

“I am beginning to detest that nickname,” she said with a deliberate little sigh.

His eyes flashed with amusement. “Hence, why I am using it.”

“You must have been incorrigible as a lad,” she replied.

“I still am, and ye know it.”

Ah, the man had no right to be so appealing. And so infuriating.

In those moments at the old house—when they’d been alone and there’d been no need to put on an act—she’d seen an honesty in his eyes. When he’d brushed his thumb over her lip, his touch had been so very gentle. So very tender. Yet now, he displayed a glib nonchalance. Had she misread his expression and his actions? Which was the true reality?

For now, she had to focus on the present, exasperating as it was. “I’m beginning to feel this discussion is rather pointless.” Macie resisted the urge to sigh. “After all, it should not be so very difficult to create an illusion, to do just enough to keep people guessing. It’s not as if anyone is expecting to see you sweep me off my feet.”

“Or carry ye over the threshold, lass?” His tone was not entirely flippant.

An image flashed through her thoughts. Powerful arms holding her tenderly. Finn’s desire-filled gaze meeting hers. His masculine smile that promised a lifetime of wickedly sweet kisses. Oh, dear. She’d never been prone to flights of fancy. Until now.

She pulled in a low breath, banishing the thought. “Good heavens, no.” She smiled to herself. “Besides, who would believe it?” Macie said blandly.

Nell’s brow furrowed again. “Stranger things have happened,” she said, quieter than she’d been.

“Not to me.” Macie shored up her resolve. “It’s not as though I shall be overcome with longing.”

“Ye don’t think I could make that happen?” His question sounded like a challenge.

“Don’t take it personally, Finn.” She hiked her chin, trying desperately to sound more confident than she felt. “I’ve never lost my rational sense over a man.”

An emotion she could not quite read danced in his eyes. “I suspect ye’ve never had a man worthy of ye give it a go.” His voice was low and edged with gravel.

His words took her by surprise, but she tried not to show it. She managed a bland shrug. “You will get no argument from me.”

His sly smile reached his eyes. “Well, it’s bloody high time we changed that.”

For a long moment, perhaps a few swooshes of the pendulum on the clock on the mantle, Macie stood quite still. He’d issued what had seemed a challenge, but she saw the questions in his eyes.

Her pulse and her mind raced. Suitable replies tumbled and spun through her thoughts. His words had been bold. Perhaps even brazen. Yet, his tone had contained a note of what seemed a raw honesty.

She deliberately lifted a brow. “And you think you are the man who could make me cast all reason aside for the sake of his kiss?”

He grinned, cocky as a man could be. “’Tis a monumental task, but I’m up for the challenge.”

“Are you now?” she countered, his touch of humor easing her nerves.

An unfamiliar heat flared in his eyes. “Better than ye know, Macie.”

“You know they say I have a heart of ice, don’t you?”

“As I told ye, they’re bloody fools, Macie.”

An unreadable emotion marked his features. His gaze was intently focused, his eyes crinkling at the corners as though he found her rather intriguing. When his mouth curved at the corners, the slightest of smiles, waves of warmth rippled through her.

“Yet again, we are in agreement.” She pulled in a low breath, but it did little to quiet her pulse. “A rare thing, that.”

Nell cleared her throat, a quiet, strategic little cough. Another sound—a louder, more pronounced humph —followed. Macie’s attention jolted toward the doorway. Mrs. Tuttle stood silently, holding a neat, dress-sized box tied with a lovely blue satin ribbon. Her cheeks were drawn, her mouth pulled tight as if she’d held back from uttering the thoughts on the tip of her tongue. Her gaze was directed at Finn, a cross between daggers and worry gleaming in the woman’s eyes.

“Miss Macie, you have a delivery,” she said finally, her tone strained. As her gaze settled on Finn, her eyes flashed. “It seems to have arrived at the perfect time.”

*

I suspect ye’ve never had a man worthy of ye give it a go.

At the moment when Finn had spoken the words that had seemed both a challenge and a promise, Macie knew she was playing a dangerous game. For years, she’d erected a frosty shield around herself. She’d quite thoroughly convinced herself that she neither needed nor wanted a man’s kiss. A man’s passion. She was content simply outrunning and outsmarting them all.

Until she’d gotten caught up in a snare of her own making.

Finn had looked at her as if she was something unique. Something special. How could she pretend that the heat in his eyes had not begun to melt her protective, icy armor?

She suspected Finn had not walked away unaffected by those moments. In the evening, when he joined them for the supper Mrs. Tuttle had prepared, he’d kept his attempts at conversation uncharacteristically sparse. Afterwards, he’d headed to the Rogue’s Lair. She’d heard him return well past midnight, entering through the back door with the key she’d insisted he take so as not to disturb the housekeeper at the wee hours. When Macie awoke not long after sunrise, he’d already awakened, dressed, and headed out to attend to his business interests. Or so the briskly penned note he’d left with Mrs. Tuttle indicated.

Now, she sat in her study, pretending that her world had not somehow tilted ever so slightly on its axis. She would spend a few productive hours with her camera before they began preparations for the countess’s masquerade.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting a colorful reflection upon the wall behind Nell. “I take it Mr. Caldwell plans to go about his business this morning,” she commented idly while fiddling with a ribbon around a shepherdess’s staff.

Macie nodded. “I’ve much work to do to prepare for this exhibit, I’m rather relieved we will be on our own.”

“He’s become rather protective, hasn’t he?”

“In his own way,” Macie agreed.

Nell looked up as Cleo jumped upon the arm of the settee. “Don’t even think about it,” she said, snatching away the bright red ribbon as the cat made a bold grab for it. As Cleo replied with an irked meow, Nell sent the feline a playful scowl. “Perhaps I will dress you as a lamb. With the libations freely flowing, I doubt anyone would notice.”

Cocking her tail at a jaunty angle, Cleo navigated her way off the settee onto the carpet. Rolling onto her back, she stretched out lazily, unfazed by Nell’s threat.

Macie reached out, touching the crook that was longer than the woman who would carry it was tall. “Really, Nell, is that thing truly necessary?”

Nell’s brows hiked. “You’ve carried swords and, if I’m not mistaken, a medieval mace to costume balls. I doubt this wooden stick can compare.”

“You’ll be pleased to see that my costume tonight requires no accessories of that sort.”

“I am quietly thrilled at the thought. Though I am rather disappointed that you won’t be wearing that bizarre little hat the seamstress made.”

Macie shrugged. “Perhaps I’ll wear it next time. Tonight, I wanted a more feminine appearance.”

“If what I’ve heard about the guest list is true, the heiress hunters will be out in full force tonight. Mr. Caldwell will be busy chasing them off.”

Macie reached down to pet Cleo. “I do wish some of the noble nobs would give up hope.”

“Some will,” Nell said. “But I suspect one or two may be more motivated to continue the chase. Perhaps Mr. Caldwell will see a need to put his pugilistic skills to use.”

“You do relish the thought, don’t you?”

Nell shrugged. “I can’t quite put into words why the notion appeals to me. I only know that it does.” She set the staff aside. “I feel confident that he would not hesitate to defend you in any manner necessary.”

Macie patted Cleo’s head, eliciting an enthusiastic purr. “He definitely would not shrink from a fight.”

“He is quite protective of you. Perhaps more so than a hired bodyguard.”

Why was Nell’s expression so very serious? It wasn’t like her. And Macie wasn’t entirely sure she liked this new side of her friend.

“He has good reason to be. Jon is holding something over his head. It’s to Finn’s advantage that I make it through the next fortnight with both my name and my person untattered.”

“I don’t think that’s all there is to it.” Nell went to the window and glanced outside. She turned back to Macie. “I see how the man looks at you.”

“Don’t be silly.” Macie dismissed the thought. “You’re the one who encouraged a little romance , as you put it.”

Nell slowly shook her head. “Macie, a West End thespian would not be so convincing.”

“Really, Nell?” Macie reached for her cup and took a sip of tea. “You thought he was anything but romantic while we were dancing.”

Nell stared down at the rug for a moment, seeming to collect her thoughts. “I saw the look in his eyes.”

Steeling herself against a rush of emotion, Macie gulped a breath. “Finn is a known rogue. He relishes a challenge.” She navigated around Cleo, who’d decided to stretch out over the carpet and groom her dark fur. “Don’t worry that I’m going to be swept away by a man with an endearing brogue and a tender touch. I know better. Especially where Finn Caldwell is concerned.”

Nell’s mouth thinned. “This charade you’ve designed might not go the way you’d planned.”

“Good heavens, Nell. I know what I’m doing.” Macie nibbled her lip. Let’s hope so.

“He’s not like the others, Macie. I can sense it.” Nell let out a brief sigh. “The two of you are playing a risky game. And this time, I’m not entirely sure you will be able to guard your heart.”