Free To Refuse a Rake by Kristin Vayden

far more difficult for the person who loves the person wronged, to be able to forgive and let go. I’ve been blessed to know love, however short or, in another case, unfulfilled.” She glanced meaningfully at him.
    “My brother?”
    “Yes. But because I’ve seen the wonderful side of love, I’m able to hope in it, trust that the good far outweighs the bad. My sister, she has never seen any side but the miserable one. Rather than having an unbiased opinion, she is heavily jaded.”
    “I thank you for sharing such sensitive subject matter with me, Lady Hodge. Truly you are a remarkable lady.” He bowed and kissed the air over her hand.
    “Even when my sister is stubborn, remember that that same streak can be used in good ways. A stubborn person might be reluctant to love, but once they do they will never let go.” She nodded once, then turned and walked away.
    As the evening drew to a close, Hudson’s heart sped up with the realization that soon he’d collect his prize. He scanned the crowd for Emma, hoping she hadn’t bowed out and disappeared. After searching for a few minutes, he found her in a far corner speaking with Lady Hewett. He strode toward her, waiting for her to notice him.
    As he drew nearer she glanced toward him, and he saw her eyes widen. Lady Hewett paused and turned as well.
    “Hello, ladies.” He bowed.
    “Lord Daventry.” They acknowledged in unison.
    “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I must speak with Miss Kingsly. Would you accompany me?” He offered his arm to Emma.
    She glanced from Lady Hewett to him, then visibly swallowed and accepted his offered arm.
    “Excuse me, Lady Hewett.” She nodded graciously and then tilted her chin up, as if facing her unfortunate future with bravery.
    “You are not facing your execution, Miss Kingsly,” Hudson whispered as he led her down the hall and toward a vacant balcony.
    “Says the executioner,” Emma shot back.
    They entered the open balcony. Hudson walked to the edge and glanced down at the garden below.
    “Come now. You must know that I would have adhered to my word.” He clicked his tongue and released her arm as he leaned over the ivory-colored stone wall.
    She regarded him with a wary eye.
    “Let us finish this then,” she said softly.
    “Already? My, my… you are an impatient one. No savoring the moment, prolonging the delicious seconds before you—”
    “No, I’d rather not.”
    Hudson chuckled yet part of him was beginning to question whether he was being wise. Oh, a kiss was nothing to most women. Certainly he had kissed more than his fair share of women, but with Emma, he knew it would be different. His heart warred with his mind as she tentatively reached out and grasped his coat sleeve then pulled him closer. His heartbeat increased as she glanced up at him, an expression of tolerance mixed with uncertainty on her beautiful face.
    He reached around her small waist and pulled her close until her spicy orange and cinnamon scent permeated his senses. He gazed down at her, knowing his eyes betrayed the depth of his emotion but unable to hide it. She watched him intently then closed her eyes, waiting. Hudson stared at her. Her oval face shone in the moonlight and her dark sooty eyelashes fanned across her perfectly fashioned cheekbones. She appeared otherworldly, and she was waiting for him. Slowly, he began to close the distance and let his eyes close as he lost himself in her scent and the warmth radiating from her body as it pressed into his. He paused just before his lips met hers, unable to take what she was not willingly giving him. She was offering out of duty, not out of desire. Though the rake in him wanted to take all she offered and more, he wouldn’t. Slowly he opened his eyes and moved his head slightly. Deliberately, he rubbed her cheek with his nose, inhaling deeply and savoring the sensation of flesh on flesh. Softly, he pressed a lingering and tender kiss to her warm cheek and backed away. A sense of loss