Page 22 of Lord Ashley's Beautiful Alibi
“That would be shortsighted of your government.” She was smiling at him.
Suddenly what he had wanted last night in his bed wasallhe wanted. To taste her.Foolish.“Indeed.”
“Unless…”
He surveyed the room. Their conversation was noted by her aunt, a footman, and Vaillancourt. Whyhim?
Pins pricked his nerves. He did not know her, only her pedigree. Only her aunt’s oddly mixed background. Only her friendship, reputedly, with St. Antoine, whose sympathies werewith Britain. He could only attack what he knew and do it as it happened. “Are you a friend of Monsieur Vaillancourt?”
She cursed, but did not look around. “I hope never. I assume you ask because he observes our conversation?”
“Like a lover.”
“He could be so lucky.”
Relief gave Kane a joy he dared not show her. “Are there others with similar aspirations?”
She faced him. “A few.”
That gave him pause. In this atmosphere, among these people, she had no man to defend her or uphold her. “With similar results?”
“Oh, yes.”
“None appeal to you?”
She tipped up her chin, defiant and ravishingly lovely. “Exactly.”
He was tongue-tied while his mind shouted in glee.
“Are there ladies you might be interested in?” she asked, and he was shocked—and pleased, too.
“Only one,” he said with such fervor that she blushed to the roots of her short, lustrous black hair. Once more, he was struck mute.
She was not. “She is not available.”
“Why not?”
“Her aspirations do not include”—she waved a hand—“the obvious.”
He inhaled with relief. “Is that not the preoccupation of this court?”
“It is. That does not mean I must include myself.”
“Thank heaven.”
She held his gaze. “You are a pretty talker. No wonder they want you to negotiate treaties.”
“Not treaties. Goods. Merchandise.”
At the implication of that last word, she arched her chin higher and considered him as if he were her fondest desire. “Some things are not for sale.”
Did she imply she was above the fray? He had to know. “When all else seems to be, again I ask, what is the real reason you decline?”
“I want more than to be exhibited. Or used.” She was fervent. “Or sold.”
“Exceptional.Brava. But how do you do hold to that in this atmosphere?”
She smacked her lips. “Carefully.”
