Free The Forsaken Love of a Lord by Kristin Vayden

but heard the whisper of her friend’s dress as she left. Not wanting to be caught staring at the gentleman, she glanced away. Taking a deep breath, she made her way to the edge of the ballroom, striving to keep her gaze away from the gentleman in question, but with each step she was tempted to glance back for one more glimpse.
    As she walked away, a tingling sensation shimmered up her spine, and she paused. At that moment, the music began, and it almost felt surreal as she turned and met the gaze of the gentleman in question. It was as if time stood still, the music playing a symphony created for that very moment as she met his regard.
    He grinned, a wicked and delicious expression, and started to walk toward her.
    Olivia gulped.
    Breaking eye contact, she glanced around her. Was he coming to speak with her? Or was there someone else beside her that had caught his interest?
    Seeing no one even glancing in his direction — for once — she glanced back to him, finding his gaze fixed on her.
    Her body broke out in gooseflesh as the raw power from his gaze sent tremors up and down her skin, heating her and causing a shiver all at once.
    “My lady?” He bent, breaking eye contact to place a proper air kiss to her hand. His voice was low, gravelly, almost as if trying to disguise it.
    “My lord.” Olivia spoke softly, not trusting her voice, yet at the same time trying to recall any familiarity with his tone.
    A memory tickled her mind, yet she couldn’t place it.
    Though it shouldn’t be a surprise. Since moving back to London she had met several hundred people.
    He must have been one of them.
    “A lovely evening, is it not?” he said easily, a ready grin bending his lips and showing off his white straight teeth. A sensual dimple caught her attention as his grin widened. His eyes, a light blue were highlighted by the midnight color of his mask.
    “Indeed, quite the air of mystery in the evening,” she replied, her senses returning slightly as she studied him.
    He was indeed familiar.
    Now if she could figure out why!
    “Would you care to dance?” he asked suddenly, turning away slightly so that she could only see his profile.
    Odd.
    “Er, yes, my lord. Thank you,” Olivia answered, fully expecting him to escort her to the dance floor to begin the quadrille that had just started.
    “Splendid.” He turned toward her, flashed a grin… then walked away!
    Olivia felt her brow furrow. What had just happened?
    That was beyond strange.
    Confused, she watched as he slowly made his way back across the room, never once turning back.
    Blinking in consternation, Olivia turned to find Maria.
    Scanning the crowd, she located her. Meandering her way through the multitude, she glanced back over her shoulder to the gentleman who had asked her to dance then left her alone.
    He was watching her, unapologetically.
    Olivia felt herself blush and turned away just a moment before she would have run into her friend’s back.
    “Oh!”
    Maria turned, her eyebrows furrowed. “Goodness’ sakes, Olivia.” She shook her head, amused.
    “My apologies. I wasn’t looking where I was going,” Olivia confessed quietly then met her friend’s gaze and glanced over her shoulder, nodding her head slightly.
    Maria’s eye widened in understanding, and her gaze shifted behind Olivia, then she gasped softly.
    “My, my, I believe you’ve captured the gentleman’s attention.”
    “Have you figured out who he is?” Olivia asked, her curiosity burning.
    “No. It’s the oddest thing. Everyone I speak to has no idea, but all have certainly noticed him, let me say that!”
    “He — he asked me to dance,” Olivia whispered.
    “What?” Maria gasped.
    “Yes, and then do you know what he did?”
    “No, what did he do?” a gentleman’s voice broke in, whispering with mock enthusiasm.
    Olivia narrowed her eyes and turned toward the familiar voice. “Mr. Sheppard, have you forgotten your manners? It is never polite to intrude on a friend’s