Page 5 of Her Wicked Duke
“Nevertheless, I am not so dangerous when one is considered my friend.”
“I am not your friend, nor do I care to be. I am sorry my brother has given you the impression that I am fragile. Your worries are misplaced. I do not need someone to keep an eye on me, and certainly not you, Your Grace.”
With that, she made to storm out once again, but her own pride stopped her. She turned to face his smug smile.
“You are enjoying this, aren’t you?” she accused. “The silly, little Anne needing the protection of a man, and that gets to be you? I hope my brother repays you for your time handsomely. I hope you will not be too bothered by having to attend all these lavish events for my sake.”
“On the contrary, I am doing this voluntarily. I accepted no payment from Christian. I am simply doing a good deed for my best friend.”
“I do not remember you being so…” She fumbled for the right word.
“Charming?” he offered.
“Arrogant,” she corrected. “That is all you know how to be. An arrogant, awful man.”
“Oh, come on, Little Hatson?—”
“Do not call methat.”
“Ah, yes, you are a woman now, aren’t you? Of course. A woman with an eye for the worst men in the ton, by the looks of it. Tell me, does he make your blood sing beneath your skin? Does he make you feel desire in your very core? He must if you are willing to risk your reputation for him.”
Oh, she did not care for how little he made her feel. She glared at him. “What wouldyouknow of my taste?”
Alexander scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest. She wanted to do the same but knew she would only look like a pouting, petulant child, whereas he looked self-assured and confident. He did not need anyone looking out for him, but neither did she. She would send a very passionately worded letter to her brother about this later.
Anne would sendmany, manyletters about this.
“I know enough if you are looking in the direction of the Earl of Satton. He is quite an awful gentleman. The most boastful, as well. Trust me, I know quite enough.”
“I do not believe a word!” she exclaimed. “The Earl of Satton is perfectly respectable. He does not have gossip following him like a shadow, unlike you. He is an upstanding gentleman of the ton. Once again,unlike you.”
Alexander laughed heartily. “You would be surprised. He isnota respectable man.It’s simply that his scandals had never made it to the gossip sheets.”
“You are trying to ruin my prospects,” Anne accused. “You are no better than mygaggling geese friendsand the old matrons. I heard that your grandmother returned from France with you. It appears that her gossiping tendencies have influenced your delusions.”
“Delusions? Are you so sure about that, Anne?”
“Yes.”
“So, you are so very sure that the Earl of Satton is respectable? I have nothing to gain from ruining your prospects.”
“I am sure.” She jutted out her chin stubbornly.
But then, Alexander’s hand wrapped around hers, and he tugged her close to him. He loomed over her, and her breath caught in her throat at his nearness.
Alexander paused, and he was so close that Anne could see the pulse in his neck. She could see the muscles in his shoulders flex as he braced his other hand against the wall, keeping her there. It was as if he was physically holding himself back.
“I do not spread idle gossip, Anne,” he warned in a low growl. “I do, however, care about you and wish you would not get entangled with a man who would hurt you or care little for your reputation.”
“And yet you have herded me into my brother’s study!”
“We needed to talk! Would you rather I announce your business to the world at the height of your mother’s commemoration Seasonal ball?”
She wanted to rise to the challenge. She was a stubborn woman who could have her father’s temperandher mother’s need for perfection.
“Perhaps you should,” Anne challenged. “If only for everyone to see that you are exactly what they say.”
“Dangerous?” Alexander asked. He smiled as if the notion amused him. He leaned in closer once more.
