Page 21 of Her Sort of Scoundrel
But he fought his lust-addled thoughts and reminded himself that there was no flirtatious meaning in her assessment. If she wanted him, she’d tell him. She wasn’t a lady to play games.
She was trying to help him, help Aurelia, and that was where his focus needed to be.
Once she’d satisfied herself with counting all the vulnerable spots on his body, Dash tried to ease the tension he felt.
“Now I understand why some noblemen think you’re intimidating,” he quipped with a smile, well knowing that she reveled in the fact that some found her too bold, too strident.
“Good. I hope they do,” Fiona returned instantly.
“You’ve always been quite fearless.” He’d never forget the time she’d scampered across a fallen tree stretched out over the river that ran behind their country house. His sister, Caroline, had been too skittish to follow suit.
“You know that’s not true. Spiders make me shiver, though I’m sure Miss Forbes could give me a list of their merits. And I don’t like heights.”
“I’ve seen you climb a tree. That can’t be true.”
“You’re exaggerating. I sat on a low branch.”
Dash laughed, and pleasure bloomed inside him when she did too.
With a hint of a smile still curving her lips, she looked around the room as if she might depart to speak to someone else, but then turned back to him. “Now that you know I’m equipped with the ability to fell any man, are you afraid of me now too?” she asked in a teasing tone.
“Never. I only admire you more.” It was no surprise that Fiona had taken the time to arm herself with self-defense skills. She’d made her intention to live independently clear. He understood she needed no man to save her, to protect her.
But, for now, Aurelia did. He glanced over to where she remained happily chatting with Lord Preswick. “I’d like Aurelia to know how to defend herself too.”
“I hoped you’d agree. I shall invite her to my next training session.”
“Thank you,” he said with a glance back at her. “Though, trust me, I fully intend to protect her myself.”
The idea that any harm might come to Aurelia—either some lordling taking liberties or breaking her tender heart—kept him up at night. It wasn’t that he thought her incapable, only that he knew how sheltered her upbringing had been.
“I know you will.” Fiona lifted her hand as if she might reach for him and offer comfort, but she didn’t. “But a lady should be prepared.”
“I agree.” He pivoted to locate Wolverhampton in the room. The young buck had begun a conversation with the portraitist, Lady Portia Hastings. Dash was pleased that he’d steered clear of Aurelia. He wasn’t sure how she’d handle a gentleman of his charms. “How does one manage a young lady’s too trusting manner?”
“With honesty,” Fiona told him bluntly. “She must be made to understand the dangers she faces.”
Dash searched her eyes, wondering if she’d once counted him among the men who might be a danger to ladies. It stuck him then that he wanted her to think of him as a good man. And, eventually, one she could trust.
“She’s an intelligent young woman,” Fiona told him. “And a lady who’s well-informed is prepared to take on the scoundrels and rogues she’ll encounter next year.”
“The kind of man I used to be.”
“No, Dash.”
Her answer shocked him.
She leaned a little closer. “You were never careless as far as I can tell. Indeed, your reputation among the ladies I know still makes you an object of their desire.”
“And of yours?” The question came out of him before he could stop it or think twice about where it might lead.
For a moment, she stared at him, her lips parted. He could all but hear the thrumming of her heartbeat. Or was that his? It was galloping wildly, whoever’s it was.
The tremble of her lips made him want to take them in a kiss.
“I…” She started and then shook her head, as if to push away whatever she’d begun to say.
He considered taking it back, saving her the trouble of having to demur, but he couldn’t. He wanted her answer. Needed it.
