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crisply bowed, taking her gloved hand within his own and gently caressing her fingers as his hand gradually tightened, holding her fingers firm .
    His heart began to beat strangely as he noticed the slight parting of Grace ' s lips and the hazy look in her eyes . H e hoped it was passion , but he knew it could easily have been anger . After all, wa sn ' t the line between love and hate thin ? But when he leaned forward to kiss her hand, he didn ' t simply kiss the air above it, rather he teased the gloved flesh with the tip of his nose before applying a firm kiss onto her hand, using his tongue to caress and heat her hand, even through the fabric of her glove .
    After his prolonged exchange he tilted his head slightly to see Shiply narrow his eyes with realization , crinkle his mouth in to a smile , and offer a nod that bespoke his understanding and acceptance of the challenge.
    The arrogance ! He didn ' t even seem intimidated .
    He glanced up into Grace ' s face in efforts to read her response. When his eyes locked with hers , he saw that they were soft with a hint of hope that quickly gave way to anger and suspicion .
    Her temper was held in check as she said her good - byes to Shiply . S he then promptly escorted Ewan into the parlor and proceeded to vent her anger, which was where they were currently.
     
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    Grace couldn ' t separate the millions of emotions that fought for dominance in her heart . Anger, hurt, suspicion, arousal , and hope all warred within her , and she refused to let just one win the battle .
    How dare he! In front of Shiply , no less! Just when she had found a promising distraction that could free her from the allure Ewan unknowingly held over her, he decided to play r ake with her !
    She shouldn ' t have been too surprised . A fter all, it wasn ' t the first time he had over t ly flirted with her, but it was the first time she thought he might have meant it .
    That was what frightened her . If Ewan ever pursued her in earnest , she wouldn ' t have a prayer of escaping with her heart intact . But that was his signature : broken hearts littering the path behind him .
    With steely resolve , she had tried to extinguish the hope that sprung up so quickly at the hazy and heated expression in his alluring eyes as he caressed her hand with his delicious tongue .
    Simply thinking about his brazen move made her blush again. Shaking her head slightly she tried to clear it and gain a solid footing. " You most certainly did do that ! And what was worse is you did it in front of Shiply! " s he w h ined, hating the sound of her own voice .
    She sounded as though she was eight again . No wonder Ewan hadn ' t pursued her — she still acted like a child . With a tilt of her chin , she straighten ed up her spine. " Forgive me for w h ining , but really , Ewan! " Her honest frustration seemed to drain him of his constant mirth at her expense .
    For a change, he looked unsure, causing Grace to furrow her brow in confusion . Just what was going on with Ewan? He had been silent for a long moment as she had vented her anger and now was giving her an expression she hadn ' t seen on him before : u ncertainty .
     
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    What is wrong with me ? Seeing the sincere frustration in Grace ' s expression made him feel low, unworthy , and, well, like the rogue he was . Could she have a firm attachment to Shiply so quickly? Was he already too late? Was there no hope ? Angry, he shook his head in an attempt to gather his frayed thoughts .
    What had seemed like a brilliant idea earlier was now turning his stomach sour . What if, in his brazen attempt at spreading his peacock feathers , he had ruined any chance for Grace to take him seriously ? His h ead spun with thoughts and unfamiliar and unwelcome emotions . Ewan promptly spun on his heel and left, deep in thought .
    Not until he walked into his house did he realize he hadn ' t even said good - bye — another black mark against him .
    D o I dare have any hope at all? h