“I can think of far more pleasurable things to do in a moonlit garden,” he growled, the sardonic brows furrowing together in undisguised fury. He reached out and pulled her hard against him.
The air left Hope’s lungs in a rush. Feebly, she struggled against him. Her bare toes collided with his shin. Although the contact caused pain to shoot through her foot, it seemed to have no effect on Charles. His grip merely tightened until it was all she could do to draw breath.
“Your heartfelt defense of my brother is touching, but misplaced.” His wounded hand captured her waist as, without warning, the fingers of the other entwined in her hair and yanked. “Unfortunately for you, you’ll have to settle for second best. You’ll have to settle for me.”
Hope gasped as her chin snapped up, her scalp stinging with the abuse. Their gazes clashed before his angry mouth crashed down on hers.
The kiss was hard and punishing, it’s purpose no doubt. By the time Charles pulled away, her lips were swollen and bruised, her humiliation complete.
“There now,” he said smugly, his hands dropping from her as he straightened his crooked cravat. “That wasn’t so bad, was it? Given a little time, I’ve no doubt you’ll grow used to my attention. Eventually, you’ll probably prefer it to Drake’s. Most women do.”
“I’d rather die!” she spat, literally, in his face. The spittle trickled in moist droplets down his cheek and chin.
She didn’t wait for his reaction. Hoisting the skirt above her knees, she turned and bolted down the path. Rocks and sticks bit at her tender feet, tripping her at every turn. Ignoring the pain, she plunged on, her flight becoming frantic when she heard the heavy tread that signaled a quick pursuit.
One path melted into the next. She followed them in no discernible order as sharp branches reached out to rip at her hair and arms. Lithely, she dodged those she could, and bore the sting
ing pain of the ones seen too late.
When she could run no more, she stopped and leaned heavily against the rough bark of a maple tree. Her breath was coming in long, searing gasps that rivaled the frantic pounding of her heart for prominence.
Dry leaves crunched on the path stretching to her right. Hope made ready to flee again. Before she had taken the first step, a figure emerged. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of broad shoulders, tapered hips, and light hair that glistened to a rich shade of silver in the pale moonlight.
“Hope?” the sea-green eyes raked her tattered form, finally settling on her kiss-swollen lips. “What the hell—?”
“Drake!” Without thinking, she catapulted herself into the safety of his arms, burying her face in the warm hollow of his shoulder. Desperately, she clung to him, drawing from his strength.
“Hope,” Drake murmured, his voice struggling to remain calm. His palm stroked the length of her hair in time with each ragged breath. “What are you doing out here? And what happened to your dress?”
Mutely she shook her head. Words of explanation died on her tongue, unspoken. It didn’t matter. None of it mattered anymore. Her encounter with Charles, her suspicions of Angelique. All that mattered was that Drake was here, holding her, soothing her, comforting her in a way that only he could. Little by little she felt her anxiety melt away, replaced by a different, more complex sensation, a sensation only Drake Frazier was able to stir within her.
“Hold me,” she whispered hoarsely against his neck. “Right now, I just need you to hold me.”
Drake’s arms tightened around her protectively. “Oh, sunshine, what did he do to you?” he groaned, resting his cheek atop her head. “It was Charles, wasn’t it?”
It was a statement, not a question, but Hope nodded anyway. “Yes,” she said, her voice cracking. “It was Charles.”
Although he didn’t let go, Drake pulled slightly away. The tip of his thumb trailed over her bruised, quivering lower lip. Damn! He should have known Charles would take his fury out on Hope. Why hadn’t the thought occurred to him before it was too late to stop his vengeful brother?! “And this?” he asked roughly. Again she nodded and his gaze hardened dangerously. “What else did he do to you? He didn’t—?”
“No!” Hope shivered in disgust. Good Lord, she couldn’t even bear the thought of that! “I was lucky enough to get away before things got out of hand. As far as I know, he’s still searching the garden trying to find me.”
Drake raked his fingers through his hair and gave a brisk nod of satisfaction. “You shouldn’t have come out here. You should have stayed inside where it was safe.”
“I thought it was safe. I didn’t think he would—I mean, I thought you were out here!”
The arms encircling her shoulders and waist dropped abruptly to his side. Hope shivered with cold when he took a step away. “With Angelique?” he inquired from over his shoulder.
She frowned. What had she said to bring about such a sudden shift of moods? “Yes,” she repeated impatiently, “with Angelique. As I recall, you did leave with her.” Stiffening, she scanned the path in both directions. Except for broken branches, dry leaves, and crickets, they were alone. She turned her curious gaze on Drake. “Speaking of Angelique....”
“We went back inside for punch,” he explained with a shrug. “When I saw you were missing, I left her there.”
Should I be grateful? she thought sarcastically. Did the thought of leaving Angelique’s side hold no appeal for Drake? The hard set of his jaw made her wonder if he didn’t have better things to do with his night than rescuing her from the clutches of his overly eager brother.
Swallowing past the sudden tightness of her throat, she swept the skirt aside and turned down the path. “I’m sorry to spoil your evening. Please, don’t let me keep you.”
With each step, she waited for Drake to stop her. He didn’t. She could feel his eyes boring holes in her rigid back as she rounded the corner and came into full view of the back of the house, but that was all. No footsteps followed her and no hand shot out to stop her progress.
Her heart tightened with bitter disappointment and regret as she lifted the torn skirt and ascended the veranda’s chiseled stone steps. The sight of Angelique’s preening face at the top of the stairs made Hope hesitate. Blinking back tears, she tilted her chin at a haughty angle and swept past the manipulative woman. Ignoring the contented smile tugging Angelique’s lips was not as easy, but Hope managed it.