Page 56 of Scandalous Heiress
“What of enemies?”he asked with a somber glance.
She shrugged.“I have none.”
“I wouldn’t think you do.”
“Since we’re being honest…”
He tipped his head, his marvelous eyes alight in the sunshine.“We are.”
She took her time to ask him her biggest worry.“Those things you said last night were honest?”
He grew solemn.“I’d never lie to you.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“If I was too forward—”
Alarmed she’d fallen for his charm and he regretted it, she panicked.“Were you?”
He tightened his lips, looking decidedly uncomfortable.“I am taken by you.Far more than I knew.Far more than is indicated by the brief time we’ve shared.”
Sadness engulfed her.“I’m sorry.I would never trap you.Or any man.That is not who I am.I don’t have to…” She shifted and glanced away.“I don’t make it a practice to seduce men.”
“I saw that.I agree.”
“You do?”She smiled, happy he saw her as she was.She crossed her hands, her fingers itching to push that one lock of his rich auburn hair up under the brim of his dashing hat.But the boyish look she liked.
“You trust me,” he said with assurance.
“I do.I wonder why, given the brief time we’ve shared.”
A hint of a smile curved his lips.“Instinct, I would wager.”
She wiggled her brows.“You know me much too well.By instinct, I wager.”
“You’d be correct.”
“Since there is no other explanation to offer for the few days we’ve spent in each other’s company.”
“None.But we did get on.Rather well, too.”
“Except for your brother,” she had to remind him.
“And today we are free of him.”
“Thank heavens.”She bit her lower lip.“I’m sorry.I should not have said that.”
“That’s how you feel, so that’s what you must say.Let me tell you that Richard has always been forward.Rash.Selfish.”
“He should have asked for Ezzie’s hand.He gave all signs he was interested in her.”
“How is she?”
“I had a note from her yesterday.She’s home and receiving Lord Edgecombe.So she’s delighted about that.”
“Does she like him?”he asked.
“She does.Better than Richard, I think.”
