Page 33 of To Catch A Rogue

And then she was gone.

"You, wait right here," Gemma said, digging a fingernail into Charlie's chest as Lark made her way through the crowd.

He set his teeth. "She's not used to these sorts of games. You were the one who said don't get separated, and don't be caught alone in dark roomsor the garden.You're throwing her to the wolves."

"She's the bait." Gemma patted his cheek. "But I'm the trap. Relax, Charlie. Valentin isn't going to hurt her. I knew him five years ago, and he's one of the better ones. Do you seriously think I'd put her at risk? The only thing she's in danger of is succumbing to a kiss. Valentin has a reputation for sweeping young ladies off their feet, and he's quite a liking for brunettes."

His head was about to explode.

"I'm going to get another drink," he said, before he could say something he'd regret.

"Good idea. Oh, but Charlie..., the servants are over there. You're heading in the direction of the terrace."

* * *

Charlie prowled the terrace,trying to catch his breath.

It had taken Lark only two minutes to be approached by the handsome blond Gemma had pointed out, and precisely three before the pair of them were slipping into the shadows. Lark laughed, shrugging her shoulder flirtatiously, and from the way she bit her lip and glanced up from under her eyelashes at this Valentin, Charlie knew the bastard would be on his way to the gardens within seconds.

It was only when she stole a glance at him as she accepted the stranger's arm that Charlie realized she'd known he was watching the entire time.

He didn't know what to make of any of this.

The trip to Russia had been polite and distant, two former friends circling each other carefully. He hadn't wanted to ruin this newfound peace treaty.

But ever since this afternoon when he told her she couldn't pull this off, it was as if he'd somehow roused her competitive side.

He could just catch a glimpse of her through the trees.

"What are we looking at so intently?" A voice murmured at his side, and then Barrons leaned on the balcony of the terrace at Charlie’s side, his gaze locking on the gardens. "Oh. It's a Rogue of the female variety, ruthlessly luring its prey into the shrubbery. Look at the way she moves... Her brilliant plumage. The male has no choice but to follow, as he knows she's drawn attention from other males—"

"Have you been reading more of Darwin'sOn The Origin of Species?" Charlie asked sourly.

Barrons hid an indulgent smile in his bloodied brandy.

"It’s not amusing." Charlie pushed away, feeling jittery. He needed to move—or better yet, hit someone. Preferably a tall, handsome blond with large, too-perfect teeth. "Aren’t you supposed to be mincing around, meddling with Balfour?"

"He’s currently occupied with some Imperial Princesses. And my brother looked like he needed assistance."

Brother.

It had been only three years since Barrons had first called him that. Charlie glanced at him. "What would the consequences of me punching a Russian aristocrat be?"

"Bad. Possibly catastrophic." Barrons gave a leonine shrug. "I wouldn’t worry about it. Lark just glanced this way twice. She’s not interested in him."

Charlie forced his hands into his pockets. "You can afford to say that. That’s not your…."

"Your?" Barrons arched a brow.

"Forget it." He had no true claim on Lark. They’d been friends, and then barely that. The relationship had never been anything more, despite his feelings in recent times.

"I understand how you feel," Barrons murmured, clapping him on the shoulder. "Mina led me a merry chase for years."

"This is different. Lark’s barely speaking to me. There’s always this… wall between us now."

"You do recall how Mina and I first met? She hated me and everything to do with the Duke of Caine. And if I can winherheart, then you have nothing to worry about. Do you want some advice?"

"Is there any choice?"