Page 75 of The Paid Companion

She glared. “Sir, I would remind you yet again that I am not in the same category as the young ladies on the marriage mart this Season. I am not another sweet, innocent, overly sheltered Juliana.”

He sat up slowly. “Whatever else you are, Elenora, you are no Juliana.”

“Yes, well, I just wanted to make certain that you understood quite clearly that what happened here tonight was in no way your fault. You bear no responsibility whatsoever for any of it.”

He considered that for what seemed an eternity. Then he nodded once and rolled to his feet with a smooth, easy movement.

“Do you know, my dear, I believe I do, indeed, concur with you on that point.” He went to stand in front of the fire and shoved his shirt back into his trousers. “Very well, you have convinced me. I shall be happy to place the whole weight of the blame on your charming head. I might even go so far as to say that I feel that I have been used.”

“No.” Shocked, she scrambled to her feet. “No, indeed, I never intended to use you, Arthur.”

“Nevertheless, that is what it comes down to, does it not?” Finished with his trousers, he turned around to face her. “You took advantage of my great weakness where you are concerned to explore a stimulating new experience, did you not?”

She felt herself turn very warm. “You are most certainly not weak, sir.”

“I appear to be when it comes to you.”

“Nonsense.”

He held up one palm. “Ah, but you knew full well that I could not resist kissing you. Admit it.”

She thought she saw a suspicious gleam in his eyes. Was he laughing at her? No, that made no sense. This conversation was far too serious.

“That is absolutely untrue, sir,” she said stiffly. “I had no notion that you could not resist me. Furthermore, I don’t believe it for one moment.”

“I assure you, it is the truth.” He finished adjusting his trousers. “I fear I am merely a hapless victim of your charms.”

He was teasing her, she thought. Or was he?

She searched his face, but she could not be certain. She was growing more confused by the moment.

“Hapless is the very last word I would ever employ to describe you, sir,” she said.

“Now you are trying to evade the blame by implying that I should have been more resolute and strong-willed.” He shook his head as he walked toward her. “You disappoint me, Miss Lodge. I believed you to be far too honorable to try that trick.”

Damnation, she thought. She could not figure out what he was about.

“It is not a trick,” she said. “Furthermore, I must tell you—”

The muffled sound of the front door opening interrupted her. Voices sounded in the hall. A fresh wave of panic roiled through her. Margaret and Bennett had arrived.

She looked around wildly, seeking escape. Perhaps she could slip out the window into the garden. But then how would she get back inside the house?

“What’s the matter, Elenora?” Arthur asked very softly as he fastened his shirt. “Did you fail to plan for the possibility that your night of seduction might be interrupted at an inopportune moment?”

“Do not dare to taunt me, sir.” She kept her voice to a hoarse whisper. “They might come in here at any moment. What are we to do?”

He swept her a gallant bow. “Do not fear. Although I am not at all sure that you deserve it, I will save you from the embarrassment of being caught in such an extremely compromising position.”

“How?” she asked baldly.

“Leave the details to me.”

He collected his domino and carried it to the far end of the room near the window that looked out onto the garden. He shoved the used handkerchief out of sight beneath the folds.

Then he scooped up her costume and draped it over her shoulders.

Taking a firm grasp on her arm, he urged her toward the spiral staircase. She frowned at the balcony that rimmed the library. “You expect me to hide up there?”

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