Page 10 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Refuge? Is it unsafe?”
“No,” she lied. “It’s perfectly fine.”
He stepped towards her, his hands behind his back, and Holly inhaled. The cool scent of lemon and mint filled her senses once more, yet she could swear he smelled sweet. For the briefest of moments, she felt a vibration go through the center of her body as if she was physically reacting to his scent.
“I should like to see it.”
Holly swallowed, unsure.
“Excuse me?”
“I should like to see your home. This Felton Manor.”
She frowned.
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“But I insist.”
His hazel eyes sparked with challenge, and Holly felt torn. She felt an unwanted wave of warmth come over her at the concern she heard behind his words—but at the same time, she felt the unprecedented need to put him in his place, far away from her.
She folded her arms across her chest and tilted her head. She would explore that warm feeling later. For now, better to put it out of her mind.
“No.”
A tension snapped and sizzled between them, and Holly had to concentrate very hard on her breathing to focus. His eyes squinted slightly, and he began to walk around her, causing her to spin around to keep him in view.
“Then you will have the neighbors believe that I turned out my uncle’s week-old widow the moment I arrived at Kingston House?” he asked. “They’ll think I’m some sort of devil.”
She shrugged.
“People may think what they like.”
“About me, you mean.”
Holly stared at him.
“What else might we do? I certainly cannot live here.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s improper.”
He laughed.
“How so? We’re married. Husband and wife.”
Holly balked. Not only at the idea of remaining at Kingston House but the use of that word.Wife. Had he lost his mind? How could they get an annulment quietly and efficiently if he went around talking like that? They were alone at the moment, but what if a servant overheard?
“I would ask that you keep that to yourself. We aren’t telling anyone about this,” she said forcefully. “And I am not your w-wife.”
He tipped his head to the side, walking behind the settee. She turned again to compensate.
“Well, technically you are.”
“What do you want, Lord Bairnsdale?”
He shrugged.
