PART ONE
“Well then, Lady Mina,” his words dripped into her ears like melted chocolate—slow and sweet and… hotter than she was prepared for. “Happy Birthday.”
Lady Mina watched with a start as the young man before her gently took her silk-gloved hand into the dark skin of his and brought it to his lips, gold eyes locking her in his gaze. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears as she stared back at him, examining the sharp angle of his jawline and the shock of black curly hair that draped over his left ear. Even through her glove she could feel the warmth of his lips, and the heat of it rushed up to her cheeks. Yet before she could decide whether to be offended or delighted… he’d given her a wink and a grin and vanished into the crowd of party-goers.
“Who brought him?!” She heard one of her friends whisper in an excited rush behind her.
She didn’t know.
And frankly, it bothered her.
It wasn’t unusual to have party crashers even at the most exclusive events— people always wanted to know what a party with aristocrats was like. Usually she wouldn’t even batt an eye at it. After all, it had happened for all her other birthdays, why wouldn’t it happen at this one? A few curious stragglers here and there were never any real trouble.
Discussion ¬