Her eyes flew open, and—Drat it!—she squirmed. She considered lying, but what was to be gained by deception? She suspected he did enough deceiving for both of them. “Only tonight.”
He took another long swallow, scrutinizing her again. She didn’t like when he studied her. She didn’t like it at all. She was reminded of that first night, at the ball, when she’d felt as though he’d been measuring her worth—and had decided she was worth very little.
“But I’m not here to discuss kisses. I’m here to discuss—”
“Yes, yes, whether I’ll kill someone for you. And you expect me to take you at your word that he deserves killing without even telling me what he’s done. For all I know perhaps he neglected to ask you for a dance.”
“Surely, you don’t think I’m as trite as all that.”
“I know little about you, Lady Catherine, except that you have no qualms about visiting a gentleman in the dead of night. Perhaps you visited this gent, he rebuffed you, and you took offense.”
“I’m not in the habit of visiting gentlemen in the dead of night.”
“Your actions would speak otherwise.”
“Do you judge all by their actions?”
“They are more telling than their words.”
“And you no doubt have considerable experience with false words.”
One corner of his mouth eased up slightly, a mocking imitation of a smile. “Most women fawn over a gentleman when they wish him to do their bidding.”
She glanced down at the glass in her hands. She wondered if she drank its contents if she’d find her retreating courage at its bottom. “I meant no insult.”
“Did you not?”
She lifted her gaze back to his. “Yes, I suppose I did.”
His eyes widening slightly, he seemed surprised by the truth of her answer.
“So what did the gentleman do to earn your displeasure? Mock your gown? Step on your toes while waltzing? Present you with wilted flowers?”
“My reasons are my own, my lord. You’ll not goad me into telling you. Our arrangement will involve nothing more than you’re agreeing to take care of the matter at which point I’ll tell you who is to be taken care of.”
“Why should I agree to this? What is the benefit to me?”
“I shall pay you handsomely for this service.”
His harsh laughter, echoing between the walls lined with shelves laden with books, somehow seemed at home here. As though masculinity ruled and no space was allowed for anything of a kinder nature. “Lady Catherine, money is the one thing of which I have absolutely no need.”
She’d feared that would be the case, leaving her in a weak bargaining position. What could she offer him? She’d heard enough rumors to know he wasn’t a man who did anything as a result of having a charitable heart. “What are you in need of then, my lord?”
“From you—nothing.”
“Surely you are in need of something that your present circumstance can’t provide.”
He stood. “Nothing that would cause me to kill a man simply because you wish him dead. You’ve wasted your time by coming here. Please see yourself out.”
Dismissing her, he walked back to the corner and began refilling his glass. She wouldn’t beg, but neither would she give up quite so easily. She rose to her feet. “Is there nothing you want so desperately that you’d be willing to do anything in order to acquire it?”
“If you want him dead that badly, kill him yourself.”
“I fear I’ll botch it. I suspect it takes a certain type of individual to complete the act when the reality of it comes rushing home.”
“A man like me perhaps? A coldhearted bastard?”
“Did you—did you kill him? Did you kill your uncle?” She couldn’t believe she’d asked the impudent question. The words had rushed out before she’d had a chance to stop them.
