“I am afraid I find myself in need of some fresh air,” he explained. Then his eyes lit up as though he’d just had a wonderful idea. “Perhaps you’d like to join me for a turn outside?”
It would be best to refuse. Though many couples had been drifting in and out through the multiple French doors that opened along the length of the ballroom to the terrace beyond, Emma would not approve of Lily accepting such an invitation.
At twenty-five and believing herself firmly on the shelf, Emma had become devoted to proper conduct in all things and expected Lily and Portia to do the same. If Lily didn’t find herself desperately in need of a little respite from the oppressive atmosphere of the ballroom, she never would have considered Fallbrook’s suggestion.
But ever since her run-in with the enigmatic Lord Harte earlier in the evening, she had been feeling terribly out of sorts. With the doors all thrown wide open, the terrace was in full view of anyone in the ballroom. The starlit sky beyond and the promise of a cool night was very alluring.
Surely, a brief stroll would not be so out the bounds of propriety.
“A moment of fresh air sounds lovely,” Lily replied before she could change her mind.
“Wonderful.” Lord Fallbrook steered them toward the nearest open doorway.
Stepping into the night, Lily acknowledged it was exactly what she needed to cool the heat of embarrassment and disappointment that still burned beneath her skin. She allowed Lord Fallbrook to lead her along the terrace, smiling as they passed other guests who had chosen to take a moment away from the stuffiness of the crowded ballroom.
“Ah,” Lord Fallbrook sighed dramatically, “is it not a lovely evening, Miss Chadwick?”
“Indeed, it is,” Lily replied, slightly distracted.
As soon as her thoughts started along the path of recalling her interaction with the earl, she found herself unable to stop envisioning him in her mind. A tingling sensation passed over her skin as she remembered the anger in his gaze when he had approached her.
“And I must declare I am a fortunate man to have such a lovely companion with which to enjoy it.”
Lily smiled but did not reply.
It was exactly such flattery that made her question Fallbrook’s sincerity. It was not that he said anything so terribly out of the ordinary. Rather, it was the way his flirtatious comments were paired with the light of mischief in his gaze and the added discomfiting element of his hand sliding across the low curve of her spine.
That went too far.
Lily stopped and took a step away from him, forcing him to remove his hand.
Too late, she realized they were at the far end of the terrace. There was no one else near them now and the shadows were deeper here where the light of the ballroom did not quite reach.
Lord Fallbrook stepped closer. With a flash of panic she noticed something had changed in his manner. His smile was wicked in the moonlight and his posture more encroaching. He no longer seemed concerned with displaying the fine veneer of a gentleman as he stalked nearer, forcing her to take a step back.
“Miss Chadwick, perhaps you would like to continue with me into the garden. I assure you, there are endless delights to be explored amongst the heady scent of the blooms.”
He reached for her again. His hand slid around her waist as Lily came up against the stone terrace railing behind her. She had nowhere to go.
She felt infinitely foolish for being so trusting and naive.
“My lord, I must insist you return me to my sister.” Lily hated how soft her voice sounded. Her younger sister, Portia, would have managed a blunt and stern set-down at the man’s improper behavior.
He curled his arm around her back and leaned in close to whisper, “Come now, sweetheart, just a little stroll. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
Lily arched back from the smell of liquor on his breath. Panic made her limbs stiff and heavy. “Release me,” she murmured, wishing her words had more strength. She lifted her hands to press against his immovable chest. “Please.”
When Fallbrook laughed, a low and frightening sound, and forcibly began to lead her toward the stairs that led down to the garden, Lily grew angry—with herself.
She knew what he intended. She should have known sooner. The stories she devoured in secret suggested innumerable ways a young woman could be dishonored by a man intent upon ruination. She was innocent, but not ignorant of the desires of the flesh.
Hadn’t she spent the last weeks craving some sort of passionate experience like those she read of in her books?
How stupid.
She did not want this. Lord Fallbrook’s touch felt nothing but repugnant. His willful disregard of her wishes was villainous and detestable.
Lily began to struggle in earnest now. She tried to twist out of his grip, knowing in the back of her mind that she had to somehow escape him without drawing undo attention to her plight. Should others take notice of her situation, she would be ruined by the gossips. No one would care that Lord Fallbrook had attempted a forced seduction—Lily’s reputation would be the one to suffer for it.