“My forgiveness. That is why you’ve come?” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.
It wasn’t the only reason. In truth, she’d come with a proposition in mind.
Anticipation took root as she considered her brilliant plan to grow two trees from one seed. She could make things right with Strathavenandsecure her own future. The proposal was perfect, would benefit all parties involved. She’d spent the last day strategizing how to broach the subject; she didn’t want to repeat her failed negotiations with Ambrose.
Consequently, she said with care, “Actually, there is another reason as well.”
“I thought so.” Strathaven’s mouth had a hard, cynical bent. He tossed back the contents of his glass and set it down with aclinkon the desk before advancing toward her.
Although her heart pounded like a drum, she held her ground. He stopped mere inches away, his hands on his lean hips, his booted legs set in an aggressive stance. His clean, spicy musk drifted to her, and her body reacted of its own accord. Her breathing quickened, her mouth pooling as the memory of his dark masculine flavor tingled over her tongue.
One dark brow quirked. “Well, Miss Kent? If you’ve come to exact the devil’s price, you’d best get on with it.”
Devil’s price? What is he talking about?
She marshaled her wits. “I have a proposal to make, your grace. A plan that I believe will benefit both of us.”
“Save your breath. You’ll get no offer from me.”
She stared at him blankly. “An offer... for what?”
“Well, now, thereareother kinds of offers, are there not?” His pale gaze roved insolently over her. “I didn’t think you were in the market for that sort of arrangement, Miss Kent.”
His meaning sunk in.
“You’re either foxed or mad,” she said in outrage. “I wouldn’t marry you—much less consider the other... Not if we were the last two people on this earth! It’s absurd to even suggest—”
“On that we agree.” His freezing accents cut her off. “So what is thisproposalof yours?”
Her fists balled at his unbelievable arrogance. “I’m offering to help you find the murderer, you conceited nodcock!”
“What?” he bit out.
“You heard me.” She tilted her chin up. “Since I got you embroiled in scandal, I’m going to help you get out of it. By conducting an investigation into who killed Lady Osgood.”
Chapter Ten
For once in his life, he had no words. None.
The chit rendered him utterly speechless.
He was already furious at himself over the way he’d lost control at Andromeda’s. He’d brought Miss Kent there to teach her a lesson, to show her the full extent of her ignorance. Devil take it, she ought to have fainted after a minute or two. Or slapped his bloody face.
Instead, she’d tempted him...meltedfor him.
He still couldn’t believe that he’d kissed her, couldn’t believe how close he’d come to doing much more. If the bawd hadn’t interrupted, he might have found himself well and truly caught in the Parson’s snare for even his tarnished sense of honor wouldn’t permit him to deflower a virgin without accepting the consequences.
He’d assumed that she’d come tonight to demand that he pay the matrimonial piper. The notion of being manipulated by her feminine wiles had enraged him. Savagely, he’d recalled how Laura had seduced him with virginal glances and shy smiles. Aye, he’d paid dearly for losing his head over a so-called innocent, and he’d sworn never to do it again.
But apparently Miss Kent wasn’t interested in marrying him.
This ought to have improved his disposition. For some reason, it infuriated himmore.
What does the chit have up her sleeve?
’Twas best to know one’s adversary. Waving a hand to the divan by the fire, he said caustically, “By all means, shower me with your pearls of wisdom.”
With a huff, she went and perched on the cushions. He followed and took the adjacent wingchair. Despite his suspiciousness, he couldn’t help but notice how her velvet cloak set off her creamy skin and rosy lips—lips that he’d sampled. She’d tasted as delicious as she smelled, like an apple tart, wholesome and spicy sweet...
