Page 5 of Sweet Siren
His mouth dropped open. But satisfaction replaced his surprise. "Mycondolences."
"There is no need. He died six years ago. My daughter and I are accustomed. Forgive me, I must collectCamille."
"Stay,please."
Could he bepleading?
He touched her hand briefly. "Drink yourchampagne."
She stared up at him. She could live every day looking into his eyes that sparkled withapology.
"You look uncomfortable but if you drink your champagne, you'll appear more at ease. Besides," he said, his heavy masculine voice dropping to a silken whisper, "you'll relax. I won'tbite."
She did take a sip. The alcohol whirled in her brain while she gave into the mesmerizing spell of his quicksilver gaze. "I must ask her how she knew to leave us alonetogether."
"Knew?" he asked, laughter playing at the corners of his eyes andlips.
Oh, curse theman.
"Easily, I'd say." He glanced over her shoulder, for all the world appearing nonchalant. "Your words to me are sharp. Lethal, even. But the way you look atme?"
She could not breathe. "Yes?"
"Says you cannot haveenough."
She swallowed, forlorn, defeated. "A terriblemistake."
"Why?"
"I'm not anyone you shouldknow."
"Why?"
She took another drink of herchampagne.
"Lady Savage, I don't think your formal title suits you. I wish to call you by your given name. What isit?"
She sputtered in outrage. She had to put him in his place. But the imp inside her wanted to yell at him—or grin at him. "You cannot know what I am. Savage, kind, impertinent,sweet."
"But I'd liketo."
Oh, had all her bravado deserted her?She shook back her curls, the wisps escaping her coiffure and distracting her. "I see now how you have earned your millions, MisterHanniford."
"Do you?" He grew playful. His stance protective, proprietary. "And what is yourassessment?"
"That one must be fast to outfoxyou."
"I'd like nothing more than the pleasure of your company." He inched evercloser.
Her spine stiffened. Her eyes widened. "Impossible."
Horrified, he stayed his ground. "I'm sorry. I've frightenedyou."
"No. That's what's remarkable. You're notfrightening."
Irritated he saw her attraction to him, she lowered her armor. Like a silly debutante she wanted to be coy with him, not thrust and parry in a game she hated to play. She closed her eyes. Waved a hand. "Do all women fall at your feet? Do as you wish? Give you what youseek?"
Raising his face to the ceiling, he laughed heartily. "Well, ask my children. Ask my niece too, willyou?"
