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Chapter One
London
Early May 1805
"Stop!" hissed a woman's voice.
"Darling, just one kiss. Come here, you silly goose."
"Not now, Reginald. Behave yourself, please."
Sprawled on a worn stone bench deep in the gardens of Lord and Lady Pool's London town house, Alexander Scarston, the Earl of Selbourne, heaved a sigh. He'd retreated to the extensive gardens hopingto escape the hordes in attendance at one of the premierballs of the Season, and he was in no in moodfor young lovers.
"Reginald, I said stop." The woman's voice wasmore insistent now. Closer as well. Looking for anescape, Alex peered into the shadows cast by theovergrown rhododendron bushes and wild roses. Ifhe could avoid the garishly lit town house, he couldbe in his carriage and on his way to his club in aquarter hour at most.
He saw no reason to revisit the ball. Judging from his brief foray into the madness earlier, there was littlelikelihood that he would gain the information Pittwanted, and every likelihood he would be accostedby some annoying matron who simply had to introducehim to her niece or daughter or second cousintwice removed, whom she knew an eligible earl suchas himself would absolutely adore.
"Darling, don't fight me." An undertone of annoyancebelied the man's sickly sweet tone.
Selbourne decided to cut his losses, and he roseand melted into the shadows of the massive oakstowering behind him. But he'd waited a moment toolong and found himself forgetting to breathe whenhe saw the woman glide through an opening in thehedge. Alex stared. How had he missed this exquisitecreature inside?
In the cloud-filtered moonlight, the thick gold hairpiled high on her head glittered. Her features hadbeenmolded by a true artist: high cheekbones; small,straight nose; full mouth; elegantly curved jaw line.Her neck was long and slender, her skin like fineivory. A band of brilliant amethysts sparkled at herneck, and below the gems, he noted the swell ofrounded breasts sheathed in shimmering white silk.The breeze played with her skirts and hinted at a willowyfigure—small waist, shapely hips, and long,supple legs.
She was stunning, more so in her anger.
"If you don't cease this instant, Reginald, I'll—"
Her partner chuckled. "You'll what?" He pushedthrough the hedge and grasped her elbow for support.With clumsy movements, his mouth fell onhers. She shoved him away but was prevented fromescape when her gown caught on the protrudingbranches of the hedge.
"Stop teasing me." The man's words were slurred, and he almost knocked her over as he backed her towardthe bench Alex had just vacated. All trace ofcharm was gone from his tone. In the shadows, Alextensed.
The woman twisted, fighting to escape thedrunken man's hold. "Reginald, I said st—"
His lips savaged her neck, cutting her off. Alextook two steps forward but paused when the womancried, "Get off me this instant!" She pushed Reginaldback, and he flailed for an instant before graspingthe back of her neck. His other hand snaked out andgroped her breast. Alex heard her hand crack againstthe man's cheek.
Reginald's head jerked. "Lucia, stop acting soprudish," he slurred. "No one can see us."
Alex had grasped two handfuls of the bushes concealinghim, prepared to intercede, when an alarmrang in his head.
Lucia.
Where had he heard that name before? It wasn't acommon name among ladies of the ton, and the Italianpronunciation the man had given it tickledAlex's memory. "Bloody hell," he said under hisbreath. "Not her." Just his luck to run into Luciawhen he was trying to save the bloody country.
"This isn't proper, my lord," Lucia was saying."And if you weren't so drunk, you'd realize that.Now let me go before I scream."
Reginald chuckled. "You won't scream." Hedragged his hand roughly through her hair, looseningit so it fell in heavy, silver-streaked waves to herwaist. Lucia flinched.
"You don't want to upset your father. He likes me."
"Well, I don't." Alex's voice was low and menacingas he strode from the murky dark of the foliageinto full view of the bastard still gripping Lucia. "Unless you want your teeth knocked to the back ofyour throat, release the lady and walk away."
Lucia jumped and whipped her head in Alex's direction.He fixed his glare on her partner.
"I don't know who you are"—Reginald pointed achubby finger at him—"but I'll have you know thislady is my fiancée. Go find your own." He gave Luciaa sloppy smile, and she took advantage of themoment to scoot out of his reach.
Alex smiled. He'd been in a foul mood all eveningand would relish plowing his fist into the man's soft,pudgy middle. A good fight was just what he neededright now.
"Your fiancée?" He shot Lucia an incredulouslook. "Unfortunately, the lady and I have a more intimateconnection. I'm her brother-in-law." Or closeenough, he amended.
Lucia's eyes grew into dark moons as she studiedhim, and when Reginald glanced at her for confirmation,she gave a distracted nod.
"Lord S-S-Selbourne. At last we meet." Reginaldstaggered back. "Perhaps not on the best of terms,but nevertheless, I'm pl-pl-pleased to make your acquaintance."He stumbled over a graceless bow, eyeswide with alarm.
Alex's gaze returned to Lucia's and held. Her eyeswere still wide and unreadable.
"Your name, sir?" Alex's attention never left Lucia.
"Ah—"
"Viscount Dandridge," Lucia supplied, as her fiancé seemed to have forgotten. Alex nodded, effectivelydismissing the man from his thoughts. Hewouldn't waste his time with the whey-faced coward.But Lucia . . .
When Dashing Met Danger. Copyright © by Shana Galen. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.
Excerpted from When Dashing Met Danger by Shana Galen
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