Hot Mediterranean sun.
Long sultry nights.
That earring winked at her in the firelight like a wicked invitation.
Chapter Nine
He frowned at her, seeming puzzled.Of course he’s puzzled. He’s wondering why you’re standing here like a statue!
“Is there any connection between you and Molly Carew?”
“What?” It was as much a bump as when she’d tumbled. He still thought her a wicked schemer? “None exceptyourbaby, my lord.”
“It isn’t mine. I mean,” he went on with edged patience, “did you know of her existence before yesterday?”
Fury certainly cleared the wits. “Are you still on that road, my lord? Just because you’re a villain doesn’t mean that I must be, too!”
“I am not a villain!”
“You want to cast that innocent baby on the parish,” she hissed, waving her embroidery frame toward the other room, but remembered to lower her voice.
“I thought we’d settled that. If I can believe you about Molly—”
“If?”
“All right! I believe you.” He was almost shouting, too, but managing to keep the noise level low. “In which case she is the enemy, and we are allies.”
Genova wanted to deny it, but as far as the baby went, he might be right. “Perhaps, my lord.”
“Stopmy lording me. I’m sure it chokes you. Why, Miss Smith, do you dislike me so?”
“You assaulted me, sir!”
“Oh, that.”
Genova looked for the chamber pot. She’d upturn it over his wretched head!
“It was a stratagem, Miss Smith. As they say, ‘All strategies are allowed in love and in war.’ Then, we were at war. Now…”
“…we are playing at love?” she completed sweetly. And most unwisely. She knew that when the look in his eye changed.
“What a delightful thought.” He held out an elegant hand. “Come, join me.”
She met his eyes. “My lord, I would rather hang.”
His brows rose, and his lips—damn him—twitched. “Truly?”
Unconquerable common sense ruled. “Very well, no. But by Hades, you would suffer from it as much as I.”
“Are you a virgin, then?”
Genova felt her color flare. “That has nothing to do with it!”
“I doubt you’d suffer in my bed otherwise. But if you’re not inclined to dalliance, let’s continue with plain alliance. You must help me persuade Thalia not to take that baby to Rothgar Abbey.”
“Must?” she asked, deliberately imitating his tone from yesterday.
A full smile touched his lips. “Touché. My dear Miss Smith, I humbly request your assistance in persuading Thalia not to take that baby to Rothgar Abbey.”
