Snippet #1523980

Damien waited until the party had passed by to emerge from the shadows. He trailed behind the party, strolling leisurely along the garden path for a time, before he struck out onto another path. With luck, he would be able to intercept the party before they entered the house again in order to secure a proper introduction. As he ambled through the garden, he mused over all he'd learned of Miss Marwick.

Rebellious. Damnably pretty. Spirited. Intriguing. She seemed not to have been prey to rumors that circulated about him as of yet, though he doubted this would remain so for long. If she merely mentioned his name to any young lady who knew her way about London society, she'd be regalled with scandalous whispers and petty gossip. Damien was full aware of his reputation. At best, he was an outrageous flirt, and at worst, sinister and potentially dangerous. He'd had his share of women, in more ways and places and times than the innocent Miss Marwick would ever deign to imagine. On the whole, women were not a mystery to him. The young lady he'd had the pleasure of meeting this evening, however, was a breath of fresh air compared to the monotony of the usual young women of the Ton. Perhaps this Season would provide some entertainment beyond its normal scope.

The path he was following turned sharply, and he found, to his delight, that it intersected the path upon which he'd left Gerard and Miss Marwick. He emerged from the concealing shrubbery just as they where coming upon the intersection. There was no chance that they would not meet.