Free Taming Wilde by Rachel van Dyken

by the lapels and force-fed him whiskey until his eyes blurred and his teeth went
     numb. The rest of the night was quite fuzzy, but he could have sworn Anthony showed
     up and slipped some blunt to the woman before hauling Colin’s foxed self home and
     slapping him on the back for a job well done.
    At least Colin looked the part tonight. After all, it was Vauxhill Gardens, the fireworks
     would be magical, and the many trails through the park would provide enough privacy
     for a midnight seduction. He only hoped there would be a woman willing to take the
     darkened trails with him.
    Near him, a woman purred.“Sir Wilde, is that you?” Perfect timing . He steeled his face against the grin that was threatening to show itself and slowly
     turned.
    “Ah, Lady Montgomery, how do you do this fine evening?” He purposefully lowered his
     gaze to her bosom, pausing for a brief second before meeting her eyes and winking.
     “Beautiful as always, I see.”
    Lady Montgomery pulled out her fan and giggled. “We are familiar, are we not? Please,
     call me Alice.”
    “Then allow me the same. I imagine Colin would sound lovely across those lush lips of yours.”
    “Colin.” Her eyelashes fluttered, and for some reason Colin found himself slightly
     irritated. He shook his head to focus.
    “I was just thinking what a lovely evening it would be for a walk.” He held out his
     arm. She looked at it then behind her.
    “And what of the fireworks?”
    “Ah yes, the fireworks at midnight.” Colin tilted her chin with his free hand and
     smirked. “Shall we make our own?”
    With one last look behind her, Alice nodded and took his arm, following him deep into
     the dark garden trails.
    “Oh dear, my fan!” Alice exclaimed the minute they were past the first few trees.
    “Allow me.” Colin backtracked and located the fan immediately; she must have dropped
     it. He brushed it off with his gloved hands and stood, just in time for his head to
     hit the low-hanging branch. With a curse he fell to his knees.
    Devil take it! His eye throbbed with pain as he continued cursing into the night air.
     Where was Alice? He tried to open his eye but failed. Stumbling to his feet, he walked
     in the direction she had gone, trying his best not to allow his one bad eye to stop
     him from this seduction. After all, true rakes could seduce a woman if they were blind.
     Surely he could do the same! Resigned to his mission, he marched down the path and
     noticed Alice sitting on a bench near the middle of the trail.
    He covered his eye and sat down next to her. “My lady, your fan.”
    “Thank you.” Her throaty reply somehow made the pain dissipate in his eye, but it
     was only a brief reprieve, for the next minute, as he leaned in to kiss her, the fireworks
     went off, causing Alice’s head to slam against his in surprise.
    Make that two black eyes. Perhaps he could shoot for a third bruise? After all, the
     night was young!
    “Oh! Oh dear! I’m so sorry, Colin. I—”
    “—Lady Montgomery!” a voice shouted.
    “Oh no,” Alice wailed. “You must hide me!”
    “Hide you?” Colin sputtered. “Why the devil would I hide you? Need I remind you, you
     are an adult, a widow to be exact, and you are able to—”
    “Oh, do shut up!” Alice smacked Colin on the shoulder. “I am newly engaged! If Hawke
     finds me, I will be ruined!”
    “Hawke?” Colin repeated. “Do you mean the Marquess of—”
    Alice put her hand over his mouth. “It was just arranged! It is a smart match. My
     money and his money will—”
    But she did not finish speaking. Instead, she ran into the bushes headfirst and stayed
     there while Colin was left alone on the bench, nursing two black eyes and a headache
     at his temples.
    “Oh, it is you,” Van Burge said once he came into view. “I thought I heard a woman’s
     voice.”
    “Yes, sometimes I speak higher in order to amuse myself.” Colin rolled his eyes. “Good
     evening, Van