Deena’s brows rose. “The last one nearly set thetonon fire.”
“Exactly.” His mouth curved. “Make it even more scandalous. Use your imagination.”
“How the devil do you suppose I do that?” She asked in frustration.
“That’s easy. Picture me doing the most sinful things to you…things I know you’ve thought about every waking moment since our night in the meadow, and then write about it.”
Deena’s body reacted instinctively.
How does he know that I think of him?
“I must lie about you?”
Austin laughed, but it did not reach his eyes. “I’m sure it will not be a lie. I have done many things with many women, so it’ll be… somewhat true.”
Deena stared at him incredulously. “You cannot be serious and your bedroom scandal will eventually become tiring to theton.”
“I’m deadly serious.” His voice dropped to that velvet murmur that unraveled her and every woman around him. “Thetonloves sex, I should know. Give them something juicy. Something that will make your blackmailer forget to ask for proof. Something that will keep your friend safe for another week.”
“You’re unbelievable,” she hissed. “You want me to write explicit gossip about you, and I must imagine improper images ofustogether?”
“I wantusto simply survive this.” His eyes were serious now. “And if that means painting me as the most debauched rake in England, then do it.”
Deena’s cheeks flamed. “You need to take this more seriously, Austin.”
Austin’s brows lifted. “Why?”
“Because—” She faltered, then lifted her chin. “Because velvet stains easily.”
The words hung between them.
Austin blinked, then threw his head back and laughed; the sound was rich and startling. Deena stared, mortified at his reaction.
He looked back at her, eyes dancing with genuine delight. “You should write that down in your article.”
“I’m not writing anything?—”
“You absolutely should.” His voice dropped to a wicked whisper. “It’s poetically dangerous and perfectly scandalous. ‘Velvet stains easily.’ Thetonwill lose their minds.”
Deena’s face burned with frustration. She wanted to tell Austin that she knew about hisgreatscandal. But people were watching and most probably listening to them. They were not safe, whether they were alone or together. This fact made her chest tighten with distress.
“I don’t believe I can have a serious conversation with you,” she said under her breath.
“You’re adorable when you’re furious.”
“I’m not?—”
Dominic suddenly appeared behind Austin, pausing slightly at the sight of them. He looked from one to the other.
“Is everything all right?” he asked mildly.
Austin straightened, smoothing his expression into innocence. “Of course. We were just… discussing fabric care.”
Dominic’s brows rose. “Fabric care.”
“Yes, it’s very important,” Austin said gravely. “Velvet, especially. It stains so easily.”
Deena made a strangled sound.
