Page 2 of Persuasions of an Earl's Daughter

It was all she could summon.

“No,” she repeated.

No, she would not let herself be affected by something as superficial as good looks. No, she would not allow herself to stand here and gawp any longer. And no, she would not enter into negotiations with him.

There was one reason and one reason alone a man like August Beresford would seek a woman like her out.

He wanted something.

“Just no?”

Lilly nodded firmly. “You heard me.”

“You have not even heard what I have to say yet.”

“I do not need to. I know why you are here.”

“My lady, I—”

“If you will excuse me, I should be returning home.” She glanced him over as cooly as she could muster. “I’m sure your carriage is awaiting you somewhere.” She peered past him to see if she could spot the vehicle on the road that wound past her father’s estate. A man like Lord Blackthorpe probably took a carriage everywhere. After all, he would not be so foolish to let himself get caught in the rain.

“I desire but a moment of your time.”

He said it so reasonably. As though he hadn’t uttered a word that sent sparks through her mind. That would send sparks through any woman’s mind.

Desire.

He’d know all about that word, she supposed. Too many women desired him. Why would they not? By all accounts, he was charming, adventurous, and worldly. Some even suggested he had a touch of the devil to him which for many a woman would only increase their interest.

She hated herself for feeling even the slightest inkling of curiosity or pretending she had some idea of what sort of a man he really was. She didn’t know him. Devouring every sentence written about the man didn’t mean anything. After all, words could be exaggerated. Made up even. She would do herself no favors by being fascinated by a man who only wanted one thing from her.

“No,” she said one more time, managing to muster a little more volume. “No, you are not having my horse. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

∞∞∞

To say August Beresford wasn’t used to women saying no to him was an understatement. Unless, of course, it wasno, don’t leave.

He smothered the amusement the thought caused him, knowing no wicked smiles would help him in this situation.

In fact, he wasn’t certain what would. He wasn’t certain at all what to do with Lady Lilly Musgrave. She was nothing like he expected her to be.

Approaching her alone had been deliberate. Manipulative even. He didn’t want her young brother or father over her shoulder, watching their interaction closely. He certainly didn’t want them trying to change her mind about selling the horse to him. It seemed, however, it was not a brother or father he needed to worry about. The woman had already made her mind up without a second’s thought.

Glancing her over, August noted the lifted chin, the firmly set jaw, the hard gaze. He took in all of her in seconds. From the lack of a bonnet or hat to the dark, damp hair clinging to a long neck, down to a gown that might have been cream once but was hemmed with mud and plastered to a slender figure devoid of curves but intriguing nonetheless, most especially when one noted the twin points of her nipples poking through fabric not designed for a sudden shower. She should have looked vulnerable or at the very least unattractive.

But something in the way she held herself, in the proud rise of her shoulders and the shameless stance that saidyes sir, I am cold, and these are my nipples, but I do not rightly caremade her attractive indeed.

The attitude combined with wide dark eyes set against narrow features made him wonder if he should have done more research on Lilly Musgrave. All he knew of her was that she had been out of London Society since her family had fallen out of favor years ago and that the Musgraves were considered scandalous indeed.

How that was when the rest of the Musgrave daughters were all married off to men of good standing, he wasn’t certain, but because of their self-exile to Bath and his years of travelling, he’d never come across any of them. He almost regretted it now. If he’d been a little better prepared, he wouldn’t have a fight on his hands.

Or should he say a little tiff? He doubted she’d fight him for long. She might seem unimpressed with him for now, but a few charming words and she’d be willing to offer more than her horse to him, he’d wager.

Notthat he would take her up on the matter.

A shiver she tried to disguise with the bunching of her fists traipsed across her shoulders. Damn. He wanted her vulnerable to his deal, but he couldn’t have her freezing to death.

“Perhaps this conversation would be better had if you were a little warmer.” August took a step toward her and shucked off his coat.

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