Free Rose's Rapture: Lords of the Night, Book Two by Jordan Summers Page B

scuffs or breaking of trellises.
    The only sound she could discern was the flapping of wings as he made his silent departure. The man left as quietly as he’d arrived. If it weren’t for the pleasant ache in her body, Abigail would swear he’d never been there.
     
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CHAPTER SIX
     
    After spending an hour reassuring her friend that Hamish had done nothing untoward to her, Rose somehow got coerced by Abigail into attending the McCoy’s ball. The Scottish countryside was supposed to be quiet, non-social, yet here she stood next to her friend, fearing and secretly anticipating Hamish MacDougall’s arrival.
    Not that she knew for certain he’d be here or that she really wanted to see him, but Abigail insisted there was a very good chance. And like some addle-brained miss, her spirits sored. Rose quickly doused those feelings. As far as she was concerned, she and Hamish had said their peace.
    Rose glanced out at the crowd. Lord Lazarus Hyde had appeared only moments ago. She didn’t miss Abigail’s swift intake of breath or her sudden glow as her eyes met his across the room. For someone Abigail was trying to avoid, she sure looked pleased to see him. Rose couldn’t really blame her. Lazarus was looking particularly dashing tonight. His pale skin had been replaced with a nice healthy glow.
    In the carriage ride over, Abigail had sworn that she’d brought Rose with her for defense and support. Rose smiled. She would oblige her friend, though she held doubts about how much help she could be. It wasn’t like Lazarus would stop if he set his mind to having her. Rose glanced at Abigail’s face. Make that having her again . Rose recognized the look of a sexually satisfied woman, although she’d only experienced it firsthand with Lord Lyon. Of course that wasn’t the only thing she’d spotted when she looked at Abigail. Rose wondered if her friend knew that she was experiencing the first blush of love.
    “I’m going to get some punch. Would you like some?” Rose asked.
    Abigail didn’t respond. Her eyes widened as Lazarus made his way through the crowd toward them.
    “I’ll take that as a no.” Rose grinned and slipped off toward the refreshment area. With any luck Hamish MacDougall would avoid this soiree and she could spend a quiet evening watching the crowd like she’d intended all along.
    Laughter floated around her as she neared the table. Rose turned to see the merriment. A flash of dark hair and a strong profile caught her attention. Her brow furrowed as she moved to follow the retreating form. He looked familiar. She caught another flash of the man. Rose shook her head to clear her vision. It couldn’t be. Not now. Not when she’d finally settled in with the people here.
    Rose bypassed the punch and went straight for the champagne to steady her nerves. She reached out to retrieve a glass. Her hand was enveloped before she could curl her fingers around the stem. Rose gasped and turned to see Hamish beside her.
    “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice a mere whisper.
    He cocked his head. “I was invited.”
    “Oh, yes, of course.” Rose glanced past Hamish in an attempt to get a better look at the man she’d spotted moments ago. The man turned long enough to smile at her, then vanished into the crowd. Rose felt the color drain from her face and her stomach plummeted. Oh God, it was him. Lord William Longfellow had returned.
    “What’s the matter, lass? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”
     She had, a ghost from her past. But that didn’t make any sense. What would William be doing here of all places? He wouldn’t, her rational mind reasoned. It had been ten years. A decade could change a man’s appearance. Perhaps she was mistaken. She glanced Hamish. “It’s nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew from London, but that’s impossible. It was probably just a trick of the light.” Even as Rose spoke the words, she didn’t quite believe them.
    Hamish picked up a glass