The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series) by L. A. Hilden

the man started to deepen the kiss, Paxton couldn’t help the objection that escaped his lips. “Eve!”
    ***
    Eve abruptly pushed the bold man away and slapped him soundly across the face. She didn’t know who called her name, but she was not about to let the Duke of Herrington take advantage of her. “You, sir, are beyond contempt. I wish for you to go!” she hissed through clenched teeth, and she was relieved when the duke shrugged and sauntered back into the ballroom in an arrogant manner. The scoundrel hadn’t even offered her an apology for his boorish behavior.
    Eve wiped her glove across her lips in disgust. Admittedly, she was being flirtatious, but that did not give the duke leave to act beastly. From now on, she had to try to be a better judge of the men who approached her, for it was obvious some took her perfected coquetry as an invitation to wickedness.
    Then the beautiful man she had thought about all night appeared before her.
    “Why are your parents not watching you?” he asked in a hostile manner.
    Eve was taken aback by the sternness in his tone. Was he the one who called my name? Taking in his fierce stance, her back grew rigid and she glared back at him. “And who are you, sir, to claim I need watching?”
    He seemed to realize the extent of her anger for he blanched ever so slightly, and Eve cursed her tongue, for this was certainly not how she wanted their meeting to go. He suddenly relaxed his stance and, with a disarming smile, he bowed. “May I finally introduce myself, Lady Evelyn. I am Paxton Witley, better known as the Earl of Devonhurst. I am sorry to have bellowed your name, but I felt it necessary under the circumstances.”
    Eve calmed and smiled. This was the charming man she remembered. “I was very happy for your intrusion, my lord. The duke was acting most inappropriately, and I thank you for the rescue.”
    “Shall I call him out for you, my lady?” he gallantly offered as he raised her gloved hand to his lips.
    Eve laughed, assuming from his lopsided grin that he was jesting. “That’s very chivalrous of you, my lord, but fortunately, it is not necessary.” And it is illegal. Good gracious, he is handsome. And large.
    “You are awe inspiring, and so perhaps we should excuse the young buck for not being able to control himself around you.”
    Eve was suddenly feeling rebellious. Last night and all day she had envisioned this encounter and thought of what she would say and how she would act, and all for naught. The man was against marriage, after all, and so how was she to make him see the wonderfulness of the married state? She remembered some of her mother’s insightful words: “Shy and innocent doesn’t work to capture all men; some want bold and daring.” Eve looked him over, from his dark-haired head to his polished black boots and then back again. When he smiled at her perusal of him, she easily came to the realization that to catch Lord Devonhurst, bold and daring would be necessary. She tried to hold back a blush at her daring perusal of his figure.
    He appeared to be waiting for her to speak as he watched her curiously, seemingly amused as she admired his perfect form. “My lady, although I enjoy looking at you, I find myself desperately longing to know your thoughts.”
    Eve found a way to phrase those thoughts. “I was wondering, if you find me so awe inspiring, why you seem to have full control of yourself around me?”
    Lord Devonhurst laughed and she fairly preened in satisfaction.
    “You are a delightful surprise,” he said. “I admit that I like your frankness, and so I shall be honest in return.” And then he proceeded to look her over, from her red curls to her shiny-slippered feet, lingering slightly longer on her décolletage, until he finally sought her blue eyes. She fought off the urge to faint at the heady sensations filling her. He even smelled divine.
    “You are a vision of loveliness, and I admit you could tempt a saint, which I am not.