Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

“ I cannot believe I’m really doing this.”

Outside, snowflakes danced whimsically in the twilight, but Cecilia’s attention was fixated on the scene unfolding in the garden.

Nathaniel’s fingers were intertwined in Evangeline’s in a tender grip that sent a shiver down Cecilia’s spine. The sight of them holding hands that close in the darkness was enough to make her jaw drop in disbelief.

She muttered a few words of annoyance under her breath. The last thing their family needed during the festive season was a love affair that could lead to whispers and raised eyebrows at every family and extended table .

With another quick glance over her shoulder to ensure no one else was following , Cecilia slipped behind the frosty bushes, her breath visible in the chilly air as she strained to keep pace with the lovebirds.

The world around her was a winter wonderland, with snow blanketing the ground and icicles hanging from the branches like crystal chandeliers. Just as she thought she had them in sight, her foot snagged on a hidden root, and she gasped as she tumbled forward in the snow, bracing for impact.

Instead of a chilly landing, she collided with something warm and solid, and a surprisingly sturdy set of arms wrapped around her. Startled, she looked up, her cheeks flushed from the cold and the unexpected encounter.

Her heart raced as she found herself face-to-face with a stranger, a tall figure who seemed to embody the very essence of winter.

He had an athletic physique, light brown hair tousled by the wind, and dark blue eyes that were as fearsome yet gorgeous as the night sky. Despite his unpleasant expression, it could not be denied that the man was flawlessly handsome.

Heavens! .

For a moment, time stood still. Cecilia could feel warmth spreading through her despite the biting cold. She blinked, caught off guard by the magnetic pull of his gaze as she recalled the actuality of the situation.

“I’m so sorry!” she stammered at last, her voice barely above a whisper, as she tried to regain her composure.

The man’s face, however, remained contorted in a frown, yet he extended a hand to help her up. Their fingers brushed, and she felt a jolt of electricity course between her nerves, igniting an unexpected spark that made her forget all about how she’d ended up in that situation in the first place.

Her heart raced, the warmth blooming in her chest. “I didn’t mean to-to intrude,” she managed again, feeling a wave of embarrassment and exhilaration.

Her cheeks flushed as she scrambled to steady herself on her feet, “It was not at all my intention to bump into you, it is dark, I could not quite see my surroundings. T-Thank you still for helping?—”

“This tactic of yours to engage me has been highly overused,” The stranger’s dark blue eyes narrowed, his expression suddenly settling on contempt as he cut in sharply, his voice dripping with disdain. “It shows a remarkable lack of intellect.”

Huh?

Cecilia blinked, taken aback by not only the depth of his voice but such suddenly harsh words. “W-what? Tactic? I-I,” she replied, shaking her head as if to clear the fog of confusion, “I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

The man scoffed, crossing his arms over his broad chest, his stature towering over her. “I shall make it clear for you then. If you are truly that desperate for a match, know this. You will not find one with me,” he spoke bluntly, the corners of his mouth curling downwards further with each word.

Cecilia’s heart raced, her mind racing to catch up with the accusation. For a moment, she stood frozen, confusion etched on her face. Then, realization hit her like a snowball in the face, and her eyes widened in shock.

“Excuse me, are you saying I’m trying to… compromise you?” she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly in disbelief. The blush creeping up her cheeks felt like fire against the cold.

“Have you not made it too obvious?” he replied . “You stumble into me, and now that you’re caught, you’re stumbling over your words. It’s painfully predictable.”

“I’m not interested in you!” Cecilia shot back, indignation flaring within her. “I just tripped! I was trying to, only trying t-to…” She took a step closer, her fists clenched at her sides, the urgency of the moment amplifying her frustration.

She couldn’t say she was following her brother who was with a lady this late, unchaperoned. “I stepped out for some air!” She spluttered weakly.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Excuses, excuses. And somehow you manage to not be able to keep your balance while doing so?”

Cecilia’s heart pounded. “You don’t know anything about me, sir,” she argued, her voice rising in pitch. “I would ask you refrain from such statements as I am certainly not some desperate girl looking for attention.”

“Then how come you are here, making a fool of yourself?” he shot back, his gaze piercing through her defenses. “What lady would step out this late if not one itching for dramatics?”

She inhaled sharply, the weight of his words pressing down on her. “I have stated my reason,” she felt frustration bubbling over. “However, if you wish to stand there still and judge me, have in mind that you could not be farther from wrong.”

“What’s so wrong in acknowledging poor efforts to seduce me?” The man narrowed his gaze at her. “Do not feel ashamed now that your elaborate plan has been seen through. You never truly had a chance, anyway.”

“Why would I plan this?” Cecilia shook her head in disbelief. “Do you think I have nothing better to do than chase after an… an obnoxious man I do not know?”

“Obnoxious?” He raised a brow, causing her to gulp slightly, struggling to keep a blaze in her eyes.

Yet, even as she stood her ground, she couldn’t ignore the way her heart raced at his proximity, the warmth radiating from his body igniting an unfamiliar tension within her. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, attempting to shield herself from the piercing scrutiny of his gaze.

He leaned in suddenly, his dark orbs narrowing as if trying to dissect her very soul. “You’re out here alone at this hour. What else could it mean? It’s not exactly a coincidence, is it?”

“Perhaps, it is as I said, I simply needed some fresh air,” she retorted, her voice rising in pitch. She took a step back, trying to create some space between them, but he followed, his presence looming like a storm cloud.

He scoffed, shaking his head as if she were a child throwing a tantrum. “A lady at a ball, alone in the dark? Does it not sound terribly suspicious to anyone? Why else would your guardian let you out unsupervised? Unless you were both planning to catch my attention?”

His expression shifted into a mocking smirk. It was infuriating, yet something about the curve of his lips made her stomach flutter, and she hated him for it.

“I’m not here for you. I had been hoping in fact to not find anyone around! What are you doing out here yourself?” Cecilia exclaimed, her fists clenching at her sides. The urgency in her voice betrayed her, and she could feel the heat rising higher in her cheeks.

“Truly? You were not expecting me? Because it sure looks like you’re trying to get close, considering how easily you wrapped yourself around my arms to get to your feet,” he countered, stepping forward again, invading her space.

Cecilia could feel her breath hitching as his scent enveloped her, a mixture of cedar and somewhat leader that sent her senses into overdrive.

“Sir, I’m not trying to seduce you!” she shouted, exasperation spilling over. “Why can’t you see that I’m just here minding my own business?”

“Mind your business? Or mine?” he shot back, his tone intense. “Because you can’t seem to separate the two.”

Her heart raced as they stood toe-to-toe, “Do you even hear yourself?” She shook her head, “You’re the one cornering me here, saying such-such brazen, improper things. You’re making a scene. If anyone hears us-”

“Why should I care about your reputation?” he fired back . “You’re nothing but a fortune hunter, likely to try to trap the next rich fool who crosses your path.”

Sharp and accusing as the words were, Cecilia didn’t have time to dwell on the sting. She could hear muffled voices nearby, and her heart dropped at the thought of being caught in a scandal whilst having stepped out at all to stop one.

“Stop talking!” she hissed, her eyes darting in the direction of the voices. In a moment of desperation, she lunged forward, her hands reaching for his mouth to silence him. The last thing she needed was for anyone to overhear their argument and draw conclusions that would lead to gossip.

The stranger’s eyes widened in shock. “What are you doing?” he exclaimed, grabbing her wrists with surprising strength and pulling her hands away. The intensity of his grip sent a jolt through her, his anger apparent in the strength of his hands.

“You’re loud! I’m trying to keep us from being caught!” she retorted, her voice barely above a whisper now as the urgency of the situation sank in. The voices were getting closer, and she could almost make out the words, laughter mixing with the sound of footsteps. “If anyone sees us like this?—”

“Like what?” he interrupted, his brows furrowing as he leaned closer, his brows angled in irritation, his hot breath warm against her face. “What are you afraid of? That I’ll call out your little scheme?”

“Could you be quiet? Please!” Cecilia hissed with a glare.

“Do not speak to me in that manner,” he growled, his brows drawing dangerously low.

But Cecilia could not find the words to respond. P anic surged within her as the voices grew closer, echoing through the trees like an unwelcome alarm.

“You think I care about your little game? All of a sudden now, you pretend you do not want to be caught. Is this not what you wished for?” he continued, his words sharp. H is gaze flickered toward the approaching figures. “Let them find us, let them say anything their petty souls desire, and believe me, I still shall not wed you. You’re just?—”

“Shut up!” Her eyes darted to the bushes again, fear gripping her. Her mind went blank as she felt her brain nearly imploding in the moment.

What do I do?!

Time seemed to move slower as her gaze returned to the man chattering away before her. Her eyes fell on his handsome lips and she felt a tingle all over.

He already thinks I’m a fortune hunter anyway.

In a moment of desperation and impulse, Cecilia pulled the man by the chest, leaned in and pressed her lips against his to keep him shut, a fleeting brush that instantly silenced his tirade.

The man froze, his eyes widening as she pulled away, his brows arching from shock and the corners of his lips lifting in horrified amusement. The reality of what had just happened settled in the air like a heavy fog. They stood there, mere inches apart, locked in a gaze that spoke volumes.

Cecilia’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, embarrassment and frustration mixing in a heady cocktail of feelings.

What have I done?

Her heart raced not just from fear but from the unexpected thrill of the kiss. She could feel the heat radiating from her face, and she could only imagine how she must look in that moment—like a tomato, as shame threatened to consume her.

The man stared, surprise and something more intense flickering in his eyes. “You kissed me,” he finally spoke, his voice low and incredulous.

Well, obviously!

“They’re coming, and you wouldn’t stop talking!” She retorted, her voice shaky as she tried to regain her composure.

“You are the most—” he started, his voice rising with his shock, but the words caught in his throat as a loud rustling broke through the air.

The man glanced over his shoulder, the sound of gasps and footsteps growing louder, echoing through the dense foliage. He took a deep breath, seeming to attempt to steady himself.

Cecilia’s hands remained clenched into fists at her sides, her cheeks still flushed. The shadows of the trees seemed to loom closer, as if eavesdropping on their heated exchange.

Laughter echoed again, much closer now, slicing through the tension. T he strange man gave her a narrow-eyed glance but turned on his heel and dashed into the shadows. , The weight of their argument hung heavily in the air, leaving Cecilia breathless and stunned even as the urgency of their situation pull her back to reality.

She pressed herself against the rough bark of a nearby tree, her heart pounding in her chest as the voices faded into the distance. She finally managed to take a shaky breath . Adrenaline coursed through her veins, but it quickly morphed into a cold dread as reality set in.

“Where are they ?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She had completely forgotten about her brother and Evangeline, and the fog of her brain having finally cleared, she realized they had been the ones so close just moments ago.

Frantically, she scanned the dimly lit surroundings, her eyes darting between the shadows, the rustle of leaves and the crunch of twigs underfoot heightening her anxiety.

Pushing off the tree, she moved cautiously, her footsteps muffled by the thick underbrush. Every sound seemed amplified, and she felt the weight of the silence pressing down on her.

Had Nathaniel fled when they heard the approaching voices? He must have Relief washed over her, and she took off in the direction her brother had taken, turning at the corner as she headed back into the ballroom.

The night’s cold reminded her of it’s presence and she shivered as she made her way up the stairs, grateful for the warmth that surrounded her as soon as she stepped through the doors.

However, her smile was short-lived as she came face-to-face with her elder brother only after a few steps inside.

“Where do you think you’re going, Cecilia? Trying to sneak back in as though nothing happened? Where have you been?!” Tristan hissed at her, his eyes narrowing as she walked guiltily to his side.

The sconces on the walls flickered , casting an unsteady glow on their tense faces. Cecilia felt her heart begin to pound once again.

‘As though nothing happened’, does he know?

There’s no way he would know, yes? How would he know?

“Nothing happened, brother,” she responded timidly, “I needed air, the ballroom was becoming a bit suffocating.

“Air, you say? And what if you ended up finding more than just that outside? Cecilia, how many times do I have to explain the dangers of being unchaperoned as a single lady?” he pressed, his voice low but filled with urgency.

His eyes narrowed with concern, “Are you all right? You did not cross paths with anyone, did you?”

He does not know. Of course he doesn’t.

Cecilia drew in a deep breath, letting out a sigh of relief inwardly. “No, brother, I did not wander far past the doors,” the lie rolled off her tongue easily given the circumstances.

Tristan scoffed, “Well, if you wanted my attention so badly, congratulations, you’ve gotten it. D o you even realize how reckless you were?”

Cecilia struggled with a steadying breath, and did not utter a word. The chatter and laughter of the ballroom faded into the background, the atmosphere thickening as the voices of her thoughts tripled.

Tristan ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. “You don’t get it, do you? There are consequences to your actions! You could have put yourself in danger!”

He took a step forward, his tone softening slightly. “Sister, I’m but trying to look out for you. You can’t just run off like that. What if something happened?”

Nothing the Earl spoke registered in Cecilia’s mind. She nodded aimlessly, whilst sending a glare that could have burned a hole through her other brother’s back as he chatted animatedly with a group of friends, completely oblivious to her turmoil.

She clenched her fists, still reeling from the audacity of what had just happened.

Why did you have to go outside, Nate?

Why do I get scolded for doing my best to look out for you?

She muttered under her breath, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. It was all Nathaniel’s fault that she had followed him, only to end up giving her first kiss to an infuriating stranger.

The memory of the man’s warm lips lingered in her mind, a maddening contrast to the irritation that coursed through her veins. He had been arrogant, his smirk grating on her nerves, yet there had been sparks, an undeniable heat that sent her heart racing. She shook her head, trying to dispel the thought.

“Cecilia, are you quite all right?” Tristan’s voice wafted to her ears again, breaking her concentration.

“Perfect,” she snapped, her voice sharper than intended. The urgency of her emotions was palpable, as she fought to keep her composure.

She watched Nathaniel laugh once more, completely unaware of the chaos he had caused.

Why I ought to… smack that grin off his perfect, happy-looking face…