A/N: Another story I'm also sharing on this platform in addition to AO3. Just a thought that kept percolating in my head. I'm putting it down as I speak, but I may end up deleting later... we'll see. Regency era Rheese with quite a few liberities. Let me know what you all think. I hope you enjoy at least this little snippet :)


Chapter One

"I should have married you."

A sinfully pleased smile stretched across rouge-kissed lips, hiding the wistful sadness that petered in sapphire eyes, "You had your chance, Robin. You chose an Earl ."

Dainty fingers smooth down the line of the naked chest upon which she rested. Robin sighed thinking of years gone past and decisions she now regretted, "I was foolish. I thought I'd be happy with him, Connor."

Eight years had passed since her coming out. Seven years and eight months since her engagement to the Earl of Chichester in which she had successfully ended courtship with any other gentlemen. Since she had ended her courtship with Connor Rhodes, heir presumptive to the Dukedom of York, much to his dismay. He had been too young; she had thought, not even yet twenty, and she only eight and ten. Seven years since she had married and six since she realized what a colossal mistake she had made. She had been Connor's mistress for the last four, content with the knowledge that despite everything he still loved her.

And he did, Connor sighed as he tugged gently on her tightly would curls. Embracing the little time these dalliances allowed them with each other. Never would he have thought he'd be the type to take the wife of another to his bed, but Robin...Robin had always captivated. If not with her spirit and mind, then with her looks and kindness.

A spirit that had nearly been broken he recalled – he was forever thankful it had not, "You can still be happy with him... You'll just have to keep visiting me."

Robin snorted and rolled her eyes, "Of course, secret affairs do lend a bit of excitement to one's life... We both know this can't last."

"I don't see why not. The earl has to die eventually and when he does, I'll be there to sweep you off to the altar once more." Connor stated plainly as if this was all a given.

"The earl has barely reached his fortieth year and is in good health. We'll be waiting a long time, my love." She countered wearily, "Your father is pushing for you to marry and beget heirs. You cannot wait on me."

It was his turn to roll his eyes, "My father can rot for all I care. He'll get his heir from Claire."

"Now, who's being foolish." She murmured quietly, aware that despite his hopes, Connor would eventually capitulate or worse fall in love with another whom he did not need to keep secret. He had yet to realize they did not live in a fairytale. She changed the topic before he could rebuke her, "Will you be attending the ball at the Lockwood House tonight?"

Connor grunted, barely refraining from rolling his eyes again at the mere mention of the ball. It was that time again. It seemed like he had barely time to blink before one Season ended and another began, "Yes, I've been told my presence is required. A night of dodging husband-hungry ladies and even hungrier mamas are in the books, I'm hoping I can stand behind Halstead and use him as a shield. Surely, you're not going?"

Robin tried not to snort as she thought of the lanky redhead being used as a shield for anything, before remembering that he was off the marriage mart, having successfully wooed and married Natalie Manning the prior season. It had caused quite the scandal as she was one of the peerage and he came from trade. It took her another moment to remember that the younger Halstead had returned from his tour with the militia... now, he would be a fine shield, "Jay will be in attendance? I haven't seen him in ages."

Connor hummed in agreement, but arched a brow at her, "And will you be seen tonight or not, Countess?"

"I will." Robin assured softly, "My cousin, Sarah, will be introduced to the ton tonight. I would like to be there to support her. My aunt has had little success in finding her a proper husband out in the country and sent her to my father. She's lovely, Connor, but shy. Please be kind to her tonight,"

As if he would be anything other than kind to a relative of hers, and by the dimly humored glare he turned on her, Robin knew it... still she beseeched him. Connor chuckled and placed a kiss on her crown, "Of course, I'll be kind to her, dearest. But I do require payment. A dance."

Robin smiled, "Sarah is a very accomplished dancer -"

"Not from her, from you." Connor interrupted fondly, an impish smile playing on his lips as she turned wide eyes on him.

She huffed a laugh before shaking her head, "You know I can't. Dancing is for the marriage mart, not the married. I'd cause a scandal and then where would poor Sarah be."

"Oh, who would say anything against a countess. Dance with me tonight. I dearly miss dancing with you." He wheedled, making her smile grow.

They both knew she would not, but the thought of it was fun.

"You danced with me, but a half-hour ago." She murmured slyly.

He leered at her, "And I want to dance again."

He grinned as her lips found his.


The festivities were in full swing at Lockwood House by the time Connor arrived. He was late, but not late enough to cause insult. He glided in with a group of servants from a side hall, using their bulk to slip past a few of the matrons he recognized before immersing himself into the crowd. He had long perfected the art of appearing innocuously at these events. Lady Lockwood would merely give him the side-eye for not arriving sooner, but as soon as he turned on the charm his slight would be forgotten.

Connor eyed the crowd, marking the women he would need to avoid at all costs and noting allies in their paces. He would miss having Will by his side at these events. The taller redhead had absconded to Bath with his new wife for the Season... he wished he could abscond somewhere. The thought of his friend reminded him to search for Jay – the younger Halstead would be out of his depth without his older brother's guidance. Still, he found comfort in seeing Ethan and Kelly amongst the masses- further still amusement that Ethan had been cornered by the young Miss. Sexton.

He chuckled quietly to himself as he watched his friend lead the tenacious woman onto the dance floor. It seemed April had won her first set with her favored gentleman; would she be able to bait him again into her last?

Selfishly, Connor hoped not. He would hate to lose another ally to the marriage mart.

He scooped a glass of champagne from a passing servant as he began to make the rounds. He would make nice and smile, turn a dance or two with a few of the less ambitious ladies before finally bidding the hostess adieu. He would do just enough to satisfy his father and provide some gossip to his newly confined sister. Initially, he had hoped to meet Robin at his apartments after the ball, but if she were in attendance here tonight then she would not be able to escape to him until the morrow.

He had yet to see her, however.

"You had better have not come here to just drink my champagne, Your Grace." A dry, but good-humored voice censored from his left.

Connor turned and smiled with the right amount of sheepishness as he caught the shrewd stare of his hostess, "Lady Lockwood, a pleasure to see you. You've outdone yourself this year – I thank you for the invitation into your home."

"Hmm." Margaret Lockwood hummed, unimpressed. She wasn't an idiot and knew that Connor had arrived only minutes prior, "I expect to see you out on the dance floor."

Connor shuffled, "Of course."

She stared at him, "It would do you well to be sociable, my Lord."

"Of course." He uttered again, tilting his head just so as he smiled benignly.

His easy acceptance of her orders only made her sigh. Margaret stepped closer, almost inappropriately so as she murmured for his ears alone, "Connor, I merely want to see you happy."

His countenance softened almost imperceptibly as he regarded his sister's oldest friend... his too if he were being honest, "Since when do marriage and happiness go hand in hand."

At her sadden glare, he caved, "I'll do my best, Maggie. I promise."

Margaret smiled gently, hoping he would actually engage with the ladies for once, "That's all I ask."

With his task at hand, Connor resigned himself to staying at the Lockwood House longer than he intended. He made an effort for once, as he spoke with a few of the ladies and even a few of the matrons, ignoring the raised brow from Kelly as he did so. He still had not seen Robin.

It didn't take long for Connor to feel the pressure of the ton. The room soon became too stuffy, the wicks on the candles burning more smoke than flame, the alcohol loosening tongues to a raucous level upon which the string quartet was forced to compete. He prevailed for one last set with a Miss... Dandridge? Before escaping to a less traversed area of the house.

He made it to the gardens, drinking in the fresh air and night sky as if it were water to a desert traveler. The ball was a distant whisper and he longed for it to stay that way. He stepped down from the portico, letting his feet crunch upon the graveled pathway as he glided amongst the pristine hedges of the Lockwood estate. Carefully cultivated wisteria draped and danced over a covering arbor, dangling just close enough to infuse the air with its lofty floral scent.

It was pleasant, serene.

Yet even this escape he could not seem to do alone. His eye caught the glimpse of bright fabric and he stilled wondering if he had happened upon an amorous couple – had he discovered the first scandal of the Season?

He hoped not.

Connor shifted into the shadow of the arbor, observing the lithe form of a young woman. Her back was to him, but he could see that she could not be much younger than himself. Her gown seemed to shimmer in the moonlight, reflecting in the small pond in the garden center. She teetered on its edge. Her foot – barefooted – he noted skimmed the top of what he was sure was icy water.

A quiet lilting giggle pervaded the area and he found himself smiling at such innocent glee. To his astonishment, she reached up to the ribbon in her hair and sent her long locks cascading down. Wild curls unfurled before his sight, and his palm itched to touch those silky spirals.

Who was this woman?

As if she heard his unspoken question she turned, and Connor caught the wistful smile that adorned a face too young to have such longing. Her eyes dark in the low light glimmered almost sorrowfully as she navigated the edge of the pond, her feet still kissing the watery rim.

He was entranced and she had said not a word.

Her voyage came to an abrupt end as a bullfrog leapt from the pond to her barefoot. She squealed quietly, jumping back and nearly into the water in her fright. The poor frog was likewise startled as he splashed to the lily-pad from once it hopped.

Connor couldn't stop his chuckle and instantly regretted it as his presence became known. His mystery lady whipped her head in his direction, muted horror playing across her delicate features. He wanted to do nothing more than reassure her at that moment. He wouldn't say a word. No one would hear from him of her decidedly improper behavior. For it was improper, a young woman alone, hair down, and shoes gone...but it was hardly the worst thing a woman of breeding could be caught doing in his opinion.

He never had the chance to reassure her, however. Her dark gaze fell on his and he became quite speechless. Struck by her subtle beauty as she regarded him warily. He only managed to part his lips when another announced their presence.

"Sarah?"

He knew that voice.

"Sarah, are you out here?"

His wild woman watched him for a second more before she darted to safety, and he bled back into the shadows.

"Sarah, what on earth have you done with your ribbon?" Robin asked laughingly, "It's no matter, I had a feeling this would happen. I brought extra... Are you barefoot?"

Sarah... She was Robin's Sarah.

Connor paused as he listened, smiling as he heard her answer, "Oh yes... I left my slippers by the pond. I suppose we should retrieve them."

Robin snorted, "Father's right, you are a sea nymph. Come on, let's get you sorted. It's almost time to say goodnight."

He heard no more as the ladies drifted away and he turned back for the house. He didn't know what to make of what he had just witnessed...he did know he wanted to meet Sarah – at least properly. He smiled, she at the very least would be interesting.