Tilting his head, he studied her as she scurried away. Strange woman, especially when she tried her hardest not to have his servants look her way.
*
Tabitha rushed outof the townhouse, and breathed a sigh of relief to be out of that place. She couldn’t have anyone recognize her or eventhinkshe looked familiar. That would certainly not be a good thing and perhaps ruin her life—especially when the wrong person saw her. But she wasn’t out of danger yet. As soon as she stepped foot back into Diana’s house, the immediate danger to Tabitha would be gone.
“What’s your hurry, my lovely?”
The man’s sultry voice turned her blood to ice. Yet at the same time, anger filled her and she wanted to tell the lord to mind his own business and leave her alone.
She glanced over her shoulder. Lord Hawthorne casually walked toward her from the side of the house, still wearing that knee-buckling grin on his nicely chiseled face. Curse the man for looking at her like that. He had no right. No right at all!
“If you will excuse me, my lord, I must be getting back.”
“But Miss Tabitha, I’m certain your mistress would not scold you for talking to me for two minutes.”
“Probably not, but I’d rather not take up your time.” She continued to hurry, but his long legs had him catching up fast.
“I must admit Miss Tabitha, that you have me very curious about your behavior toward me. Pray, did I offend you in some way when we met? Did I say the wrong thing?”
Good grief! What was wrong with this man? Why didn’t he take the hint? Huffing, she stopped and faced him, causing him to nearly bump into her. She had to tilt her head back to look into his face—a face that was too handsome to be real.
“If you must know, I would rather not converse with you. I’m in a hurry—”
“Just two minutes is all I ask.”
He grinned at her again, and she wanted to slap it right off his face. “If I relent, will you then leave me alone?”
His eyes widened as did his mischievous smile. “Leave you alone? Why would you want me to do that?”
“Lord Hawthorne, I’m quite certain you have charmed many women, but I willnotbe one of them. Please save your efforts for someone who actually wants your attention. I, my lord, do not.”
Not very often did she get to witness a titled man’s jaw drop and his mouth gape, but this was one time she did. Surprise registered on his face along with bewilderment. She was sure he never had a woman say that to him before.
It didn’t take long before he shook himself out of his stunned silence and straightened.
“Miss Tabitha, you intrigue me, and I find myself wanting to get to know you better, mainly because of your refusal to be courteous.”
He cannot be serious!“Then what would it take for you to leave me alone? Would swooning at your feet and falling into your arms make you give up pursuit? If so, I would gladly do that now just to be rid of your persistence.”
Lord Hawthorne chuckled and folded his arms across his chest. “So are you a woman who doesn’t enjoy a man giving her compliments?”
She shook her head.
“Do you mean to tell me that if I told you that your eyes were as beautiful as the blue iris flower you would not like that? And if I told you that your face was lovelier than most women I have met—that it wouldn’t make a difference to you? Indeed, you are an angel who has dropped from the heavens.”
Against her will, her heart did a silly flip. Curse his hide! But she would gladly show him her devilish side—and she just might if he didn’t leave.
Giving a nonchalant shrug, she said, “I’m sorry to say, but no, your words do not affect me. I don’t have the time for flattery. You are wasting your efforts.” She straightened her shoulders. “Now, my lord, I believe it has been two minutes and I must be getting back to my mistress.” She bobbed a quick curtsy. “Have a pleasant day.”
This time as she hurried away, he didn’t follow. It took all of her willpower not to turn and look back, but as she reached the end of the walkway, she just couldn’t help herself and peeked over her shoulder. Lord Hawthorne hadn’t moved from where she left him, and when he saw her look back, his face beamed with happiness.Oh great!Now she knew she’d never be rid of him. Well, she would just have to try harder.
The closer to Diana’s home, the more relaxed Tabitha became. She really didn’t want to be around the Worthington family. Being right inside the dragon’s lair frightened her nearly to death. And she wasn’t an easy person to scare.
Yet she could never let them know her secret. Not now. Not ever.
*
Long after theservants had retired for bed, Tristan crept out of his house. He wore black clothes and cape, hoping he wouldn’t get noticed. The streets were dark as he rode his horse to Diana’s house, and as he approached her estate, all seemed quiet. He tied his horse to the front gate and cautiously snuck to the front door. Just as the note indicated, the door was unlocked.
