Steam Guardians 01 - A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious by Mary Wine Read Free Book Online Page A

the same thing—you mentioned the garden.” Her heart accelerated as they neared the open doors and the garden beyond came into sight. “Well, I am not so timid, sir.”
    There was only one reason a couple retired to the garden during a dance…
    “You don’t lack spirit, Miss Aston. But it would be in your best interest to refuse me.”
    His hand rested on top of her gloved fingers. She could feel the steel-corded muscles of his forearm, and his grip wasn’t gentle either.
    “Why do you want me to?” She tightened her grasp on his forearm.
    His eyes narrowed. “I will take you into the garden, Miss Aston. But are you quite certain you want to continue this game? It is sure to be the topic at every breakfast table in town.”
    He slowed his pace, giving her ample time to jerk her hand away while still in full view of the guests.
    “I refuse to give you the satisfaction of believing I cannot suffer the gossip of being alone with you while my peers know it. Besides, it would be quite rude.”
    He guided her down a stone walkway and around a corner so that they disappeared from the sight of the guests. That was when he gave her a look at his true emotions, his expression now one of frustration.
    “But that leaves you to deal with me alone, yet again. I find your choice interesting.”
    “At least I do not feel as upset by that fact as you sound, Mr. Lawley.”
    The night air teased her cheeks, cooling them and reminding her that she was blushing. He continued on, not stopping until they were far enough away that the music became only background noise. The air was still warm enough for the jasmine to be blooming, and late-season roses also added their sweetness to the air.
    Once out of sight of the ballroom, Janette pulled her hand away. “Is it necessary to sound so annoyed with our circumstances? I believe you are the one offering me insult. Perhaps you are the one truly worried about being the topic at breakfast? Are your Illuminist brothers going to condemn you for spending time with me? Will holding your head high be difficult among the members of your Order tomorrow?”
    Maybe she was mad to take such a bold approach with him, but his constant warnings awakened a reckless need to do so. In his world, women could speak their minds, and she wanted to make sure he noticed she was up to the task of having a logical discussion with him. The man would not find her wits lacking.
    “If you believe I’ll begin muttering polite topics any matron behind us would approve of, simply because I was raised a lady, you are going to be disappointed.”
    He folded his arms across his chest and studied her. The pose was considered common in polite society, but it drew her attention to how muscular he was beneath the fine wool overcoat. He really was an overly large man; she doubted her head would reach his chin, and his jaw was lean, telling her he was very physical. It also drove home just how annoyed he was with her for not slighting him.
    “I’m warning—”
    “Yes, yes,” she interrupted. “As you have done before. But I will not believe it was necessary for me to reject you to protect myself.”
    He chuckled, but the sound had a sinister quality. “Your education is lacking, Miss Aston. I would have thought your mother would have instructed you on the dangers of being alone with an Illuminist.”
    “Your being an Illuminist doesn’t have anything to do with it.”
    Yet her mother had warned her of exactly that on many occasions. Walk out with an Illuminist, and your reputation will be tarnished…
    He cocked his head to the side. “I know what the polished upper crust thinks of me. I’ve seen their sneers often enough.”
    There was his expectation again, the firm belief that she would look down her nose at him. She refused to give him the satisfaction—even if he was correct. Trouncing back into the ballroom would please her father enormously.
    “Then by all means, return to the party before someone thinks you