Charlotte. Her name echoed through his mind as he stepped to follow her. It fit her. Delicate, feminine. It had the same ethereal quality she possessed from the blond curls on her head to her trim waist and long legs. She had grace women envied and men lusted after. It was in every man's eyes as they looked at her, taking in the swells of her curves.
Scorching possessiveness gripped him.
His jaw clenched as his step faltered. Where had that come from?
He was always so cool, calm, and collected when it came to his assignments. And that's what Charlotte was. An assignment.
When had he started thinking of her as Charlotte and not Lady Charlotte? When had she gotten under his skin, or more importantly, how?
How had he gone from detached and wanting out of this life to needing to protect her? She'd become important and far too quickly.
She mattered. He didn't bother to deny it. Yet the why of it was a mystery. This was his final assignment. It made sense that he'd want to end his career on a positive note. That he'd want to protect someone so beautiful and innocent as a token of all the good he'd done in his career. It would be the crowning moment.
His muscles loosened. There was no reason to get riled up over lustful glances. She wasn't his. At least not for long.
But for now, he had a part to play.
And this was one part of his job he would relish. Because in his years of service, he'd stayed in the shadows. He'd had to be above reproach and to somehow remain in the light without garnering suspicion. But for tonight, he would give them all something to talk about. Because tonight, he wasn't just Viscount Lawrence, available, wealthy bachelor and spy.
He was a man in pursuit.
Chapter 7
Derek's eyes scorched her. A hot blush kissed Charlotte's cheeks, and she fanned them quickly as her eyes darted around the crowd. How had her life turned upside down in such a short amount of time?
She milled through the other guests, measuring her pace and forcing a serene smile to her lips.
The first strings of a waltz began, and before she could look over her shoulder for Derek, he had her hand cradled in his as he led her to the floor.
"Ready?" he whispered, his warm lips brushing against her ear.
Gooseflesh rushed over her skin, but she suppressed the shiver his nearness caused. "Ready as I will ever be."
He twirled her into the crowd with determination and strength. How he did most things, she imagined.
Lord Acton pouted from across the room, and she snorted.
"What is it?"
"Lord Acton," she said, smiling into Derek's eyes. "He's most displeased."
"Why?"
"This dance was his."
She gasped as he pulled her closer, flush against his body. "But now it's mine."
Mine. Her pulse quickened, enjoying his possessiveness more than she should.
Oh, no. Get yourself under control!
But as she glanced up at him, thinking of the times when she'd watched him, dreamed of him, it was hard to compartmentalize the pleasure she found in his arms, but she had to. She may have fantasized about him when she was a green girl during her first season, but once she'd seen that he had no interest in her, she'd locked those feelings away.
Why now did they burst through her barriers like a thief springing for his last escape?
Gasps echoed around the ballroom as Derek led her from the waltz into the next dance. It was bold, even for an engaged couple, to make such a spectacle. Her shoulders shrunk. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she whispered behind her fan.
"It was the only way. Besides, it's done."
He smiled at her as though she were the only woman in the room, the only woman who mattered.
The only woman he desired.
Sugar lumps. She couldn't argue with that. Besides, she'd never been one to question her actions. Her sense of adventure had thrust her into trouble more times than she could count, but she'd never regretted anything. "You're right."
He angled her back, his eyes curious.
"What?"
"And just like that, you're okay?"
She shrugged in his hold. "Yes."
He muffled a laugh. "You're not what I expected."
She bit her lip. "I'm not what most people expect. I tend to say improper things when I shouldn't, I have dreams and ambitions besides marrying well, and I can't abide most genteel pursuits."
"What would you pursue instead of pianoforte?" His eyes teased her.
"Adventure."
His smile fell. "Seeking adventure isn't all one thinks it will be. There's risk, loss."
Charlotte ached for him, but made sure all pity was out of her voice when she asked, "What have you lost?"
He gazed unseeing into the crowd. She didn't think he would answer for a moment before he finally said, "A friend. Someone who joined around the same time as me. After a few years, we'd become best friends."
"What happened?"
His jaw clenched. "He was killed in a raid a few years ago."
"A raid on what?" she asked, knowing she didn't really want the answer.
"The Black Dahlia."
Her heart iced as fear flooded her system. She wanted to probe him for more information, but didn't.
"Do you see your mother?"
Her eyes sifted through the crowd. Her mother manically fanned her red cheeks on the side of the room as she watched Charlotte dance with the viscount. Charlotte winced. "Yes."
"When the music ends, we'll go straight to her, fending off all other conversation."
"All right."
After the last note, she curtsied so deep her knee skimmed the floor.
Derek tucked her hand in his arm, squeezing with reassurance. "Smile," he whispered close.
His hot breath tickled her ear and down her neck, but she plastered a serene smile to her face. She had to make this believable.
Escorting her to her family, he bowed low over her hand. "It's been a pleasure, Lady Charlotte," he said loud enough for others to hear.
"It has. Thank you, Viscount Lawrence."
He brushed a kiss over her gloved hand, and goose bumps shot up her arm. Sugar lumps!
Derek grinned at her mother in a way that should have been illegal, or at least immoral. No one could resist that smile.
"Lady Langston, might I have a moment of your time?"
Her mother preened, fanning her flushed skin with quick flaps. Charlotte stifled a groan.
"Indeed. Is there something I can do for you, my lord?"
He glanced at Charlotte wistfully, and her stomach flipped. Time away with him at his estate would prove a greater challenge than she'd originally anticipated. If his acting abilities in the last ten minutes were any indication, she'd have to guard her heart closely. She could easily forget it was all a ruse and mistake his acting for reality.
"Yes." He nodded to her mother. "This is a bit unorthodox. Pray, forgive me. Today, I've decided to return to my estate for a country party. I plan to leave tomorrow, and my other guests have agreed to the impromptu journey as well. I hoped your family could join us."
Her mother glanced between Derek and Charlotte. "I see." A smile curved her lips. "We are delighted, of course. How exciting. I've been longing for a respite from town, and this is just what I think we all need."
"Excellent. I will have directions delivered to your residence tonight." Derek bowed low over her mother's hand before stealing another glance at Charlotte.
Purely for her mother's benefit, naturally.
His eyes twinkled in a private joke. It had been as easy as he'd predicted.
"Until tomorrow, Lady Charlotte," he said before moving into the crowd.
It was as if the room had held a collective breath, straining to hear their interaction, and once their conversation ended, the room once again buzzed with energy.
Her mother hooked Charlotte's arm with her own. "It was kind of him to invite us to his gathering."
Charlotte choked. "Yes. Yes, it was. It'll be nice to leave the city."
"Mmm." Her mother's eyes teased.
"I'm parched after all that dancing. I think I'll get a glass of lemonade. Would you like me to fetch you some?" Charlotte was grateful when her mother turned her down.
"Will you be all right on your own?"
"Perfectly. I'll stay within view."
Her mother nodded, already distracted with a conversation taking place next to her. No doubt their impromptu trip would be the on-dit for the night.
Once at the refreshment table, she turned away from the crowd as if unaware they all gossiped about her and selected a flute of lemonade. She sipped the too sweet drink and wrinkled her nose. Truth be told, she couldn't stand the beverage. She preferred champagne, but until she was married or allowed to toast a special announcement, society demanded she drink the tart beverage.