His grin instantly faded. "There's nothing false in my words, Mariah." Her name slipped all too easily over his tongue. "You have no idea how lovely you are tonight."
Unable to help himself, he reached out to stroke the curls that lay over her pale shoulder. His gaze followed the cascade of golden-brown locks to where the ends rested just above her milky-white breasts. "In the morning sunshine, I thought you resembled a wood nymph, but by moonlight, you are nothing short of angelic. You should always be out of doors, Mariah."
"It's where I prefer to be," she said. "It's where I feel most alive—walking, riding, tending the garden. I've always despised being stuck inside, but now that's where I spend most of my waking hours. My only escape is at night when I sit on my own terrace or walk in the gardens."
"Alone?" he asked, his gaze searching hers. Was he mistaken about her? Did she perhaps have a secret lover?
"Yes," she whispered softly. "Very much . . . alone."
She suddenly looked so forlorn, making him ache for what he couldn't have. It was all he could do not to pull her into his arms.
"It would not be so if you were you to marry . . ." The words were out before he could take them back.
"To whom? Someone like Lord Rochford?" she asked, searching his eyes.
"A woman in your position may have her pick of nearly any eligible bachelor in the realm."
She released a derisive laugh. "And I would still be very much alone. I don't seek that kind of marriage, Mr. Needham. 'Tis too beautiful a night to speak of such unpleasant things as marriage." She tilted her face up toward the heavens, exposing the full column of her beautiful neck. "Do you ever stargaze? Or is such an activity too frivolous for a man of your serious temperament?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I have always loved astronomy."
"I have never learned to identify the constellations, but the myths fascinate me. When you look up there tonight, what do you see?"
"The moon is too bright to see much," he said. "The best time to view stars is during the new moon."
"Can you find Cassiopeia for me?"
"She doesn't emerge in the heavens until autumn, but Ursa Major is best viewed in spring. It's also the easiest to recognize. Do you know the myth?"
"It is the story of Callisto, is it not?"
"Yes. Zeus was smitten by her, and Hera, his jealous wife, transformed Callisto into a bear. While she was in animal form, her son Arcas was going to shoot her, but Zeus intervened and turned Arcas into a bear as well. He then placed mother and son permanently in the heavens."
"It seems so unfair that Callisto was punished merely for attracting the attention of Zeus, but then again, maybe she's happier lighting up the nighttime sky than worrying about unwanted propositions from powerful men."
"Unwanted propositions?" Her words rang a peal in his ears. "Did Rochford importune you?"
"No. He did not, but he hinted at a proposal of marriage."
"When?"
"Earlier this evening."
"How did you answer him?"
"I didn't. Please, Mr. Needham. I don't wish to talk about it. Why were you looking for me? Did you receive any news from Lord Marcus?"
"Yes. He anticipates he and Miss Trent will arrive late tonight."
"What has detained him for so long?"
"He didn't elaborate. He only said it was a matter of urgency." She shivered. "You are cold." He immediately stripped off his coat and laid it over her shoulders.
Her eyes met his. "Thank you, Mr. Needham."
"Nicolas," he said. "Or Nick would be even better."
"Nick," she repeated with a soft smile. "I like the sound of it. It suits you."
"And why is that?"
"It's a no-nonsense kind of name, isn't it? You don't seem to care for their disingenuous ways any more than I do. Indeed, you are the only one here with whom I am at ease. It's hard to believe we met only a few short days ago. I feel as if I have known you so very much longer."
"Perhaps it's just the wine?" he suggested.
"No," she murmured, leaning toward him, close enough for him to catch a teasing hint of lilacs. She licked her lips. The gesture drew his gaze to her luscious rose-colored mouth. He couldn't help wondering if her lips were as sweet and petal soft as they looked. "It has nothing to do with the wine and everything to do with the man."
Her tone and demeanor were warm and inviting, and innocently seductive. He was surely courting danger to be alone with her any longer. "We should go back inside and join them at cards," he said.
"Must we?" she asked, soft and pleading.
"Yes, we must," he replied resolutely. He'd come looking for her to protect her from Rochford, but who would protect her from him? "If you don't wish to join them at cards, you could always make an excuse to retire early to your chamber."
"But I won't be able to sleep. I'm far too restless. What about you? Do you intend to wait for Lord Marcus and Lydia?"
"Yes."
"Then I will wait with you," she said. "That is . . . if you would care for some company."
"No," he said. "It wouldn't be appropriate for us to be together. Indeed, if we stay out here much longer, we will surely become an object of speculation."