Recognizing the undeniable truth of his statement, she flushed painfully and she was grateful for the concealing darkness.

“Get out…” Her tone was flat and unemotional. “Now.”

Noah dressed quickly and strode from the summerhouse without another word. He paused on the terrace to check his appearance and then reentered the house with the nonchalant air of a man who’d just taken a casual, lengthy stroll through the gardens.

CC managed to pull herself together into some semblance of respectability, but she knew there was no way she could return to the ball without first returning to her chambers and securing Anna’s help. Quietly she skirted the grounds and entered the house through the servants’ entrance. Racing up the back staircase, she did not relax until she’d made it safely and undetected to her bedroom.

Eve was angry and restless. Noah Kincade had mysteriously disappeared after leaving her side and going out on the terrace. Though she’d searched as discreetly as possible throughout the house, she hadn’t been able to locate him anywhere. Determined not to let anyone know of her unwavering interest in him, she had continued to lightly flirt with her numerous suitors and had even encouraged Geoffrey a bit, though she was wont to do it. His presence at her side had been a face-saver, though, for she had not wanted anyone to suspect that Kincade had left her without a thought. When she saw Noah return to the ballroom through the French doors, she was elated and she turned quickly to Geoffrey.

“Geoffrey, darling, would you mind getting me another glass of champange?” She gave him her most seductive smile.

“Of course, Eve. I shall be right back.” Geoffrey hurried to do her bidding. He had been pleased when Kincade had disappeared from the scene and had taken full advantage of the opportunity to dominate Eve. She had been his usual attentive companion and he was eagerly anticipating the end of the ball. As he procured the glass of liquor, his blood raced excitedly as he imagined them in bed together, and he turned back in her direction, anxious to be with her again. Perhaps, he thought avidly, I can convince her to depart a little early… But as Geoffrey started back, he saw her moving across the room toward Kincade, who had just come back inside from the gardens. He realized then that Eve had only used the pretense of wanting another drink in order to send him from her. The jealousy that had been born several hours before flared to life again as he watched her throw herself at the other nobleman.

Instead of returning to Eve’s side, he drank her champagne himself, taking no time to savor it properly. The mixture of whiskey and champagne hit him hard, and he swore viciously under his breath as he saw Kincade escort Eve out onto the dance floor. A wildfire of emotion swept through him, but somehow he managed to hold himself back from making a scene. With all the dignity expected of one in his vaulted position, Geoffrey sought out another of the eligible young ladies and graced her with his presence.

Noah’s smile was strained as he danced with Eve, but she did not notice. And though he gave the impression of listening to her senseless chatter, in truth his thoughts were far away, wrapped in the searing, exciting memory of CC’s passion. At first, when he’d reentered the ballroom and Eve had joined him, he’d been grateful for the diversion she presented, but now he was finding her company stifling. He found himself constantly searching the crowd for some sign of the vibrant emerald gown and the woman who wore it. Cursing himself for being a fool to even think of CC, he forced all remembrances of the other woman from his mind and concentrated solely on Eve’s less than stimulating conversation.

CC descended the front staircase to find John in the wide hall talking with Matthew. Her smile was shaky as she greeted them, but neither man seemed aware of it.

“CC, darling, I didn’t know that you’d gone upstairs…” John took her hand and kissed it as he met her.

“I needed to rest for a moment and freshen up a bit.” Her words were not a lie. She enlisted Anna’s help, and they had made short order of styling her hair again and smoothing the wrinkles from her gown. Anna had been smart enough not to question her mistress’s unusual condition, and CC had been greatly relieved at not having to explain.

“I hope you weren’t feeling ill.” Matt was quick to worry, for he remembered her need to get a breath of fresh air.

“Oh no. Nothing like that,” she reassured him.

“Good.” His smile was warm with honest affection as he regarded her, and noticing her becomingly heightened color, he wondered what had transpired between her and Noah in the garden.

“CC? Would you care to dance again?” John invited.

“Of course,” she accepted, glad that it had been John to ask and not Matthew. Not that she didn’t like the younger Kincade; she did, very much. It was just that she wanted to avoid any further contact with Noah, and dancing with Matt would have been like waving a red flag before an angry bull. “Matt, if you’ll excuse us?”

“Until later.” He bowed slightly as John led her back inside to join the dancers.

Eve’s grip on Noah’s arm was possessive as they stood together at the side of the dance floor.

“I’m so glad that you came tonight,” she purred, pressing her full bosom against the hard-muscled strength of his forearm as she turned to look up at him.

“So am I,” he replied evasively.

Realizing that it was getting late and that the ball would soon be over, Eve knew that she had to make her play for him now or risk losing him until the social scene brought them together again.

“There is no reason for our evening to end just because the Demorests’ ball does.” Her gaze upon him was openly brazen so there would be no mistaking the invitation she was offering.

Noah was about to decline as graciously as he could when he caught sight of CC returning to the ballroom on John’s arm. She looked totally happy and completely at ease. Though he didn’t quite understand why, he was suddenly furious, and he diverted his attention quickly to the lovely widow clinging to his arm.

“Is there a reason why we have to wait for the ball to end before making our departure?” he asked in low, seductive tones.

Eve’s breath caught in her throat as she looked up at him with luminous eyes, unable to believe her luck. “No. No, of course not…”

“Do you have your own carriage?”

“Yes,” she breathed excitedly.

“Then shall we have it brought around?”

“Please…”

Noah took charge in his usual manner, and after speaking privately with Matt for a few moments in the music room, he searched out Edward to bid him thanks and good night. CC, it seemed, was nowhere to be found as he and Eve were making their departure.

“Edward, please relay my deepest appreciation to your lovely daughter for her hospitality this evening,” Noah told his host.

“I shall do that,” he agreed, puzzled by her absence. It was in the poorest form not to be available to bid her guests good-bye. “Also, I had a private matter to discuss with you, and I was wondering if you could luncheon with me tomorrow.”

“I’d like that.”

“Shall I meet you at the Demorest home? Say about noon?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

CC had heard Noah as he’d ordered the Woodham carriage brought around, and though she’d tried to deny it, a shaft of pure agony had penetrated her heart. Kincade was the vile, amoral beast she’d thought him to be. He had gone from her to Eve without a pause, and just the thought of it left her feeling sick. CC disappeared from the ballroom when she noticed Noah and Eve moving toward the front hall. Seeking refuge in the seemingly deserted music room, she was determined to remain out of sight until they were gone.

“Is something wrong?”