“You are lying,” she shot back.
“That is a strong accusation from someone reared under the straitlaced hand of a vicar, Miss Prim.”
“But accurate, is it not? You have no heart to touch.”
“That is probably so.” A smile twitched the corner of his mouth. “If I had a heart, you touched me where it would be.”
Did that mean maybe she hadn’t touched him inappropriately? She couldn’t tell by his expression. He was just too good at masking his true feelings and what he was thinking. She wanted to believe him, but should she? Was it best to just let it go?
No—for some reason, she couldn’t. She had to know for sure.
“Did I touch you anywhere else? You know what I am asking, Your Grace. I have a right to know.”
He hesitated.
She stiffened.
He nodded.
Her cheeks flamed red hot again. “Oh, I always knew you were a vile beast. Why did you stand there and let me—let me fondle you and say absolutely nothing to stop me?”
“Why do you think I did?”
Louisa was so livid, it was impossible for her to speak at first. “You are more than a beast. You are a scoundrel of the highest order and should never be allowed anywhere near a respectable young lady—or children, for that matter.”
“Then slap me for my abhorrent behavior.”
That brought her up short and snapped the fury right out of her. “What?”
“Slap me, Miss Prim.”
“You are teasing me, Your Grace,” she whispered.
“No,” he said with deadly calm. “You either slap me, or I will kiss you.”
“What? I don’t believe you.”
“Yes, you do.”
He was right. She did believe him.
“And,” he added, “before you make your choice, remember: Only one of us will enjoy the slap, but I’ll make sure we both enjoy the kiss.”
She whirled to run away, but his arm snaked around her waist and he swung her to face him. She struggled briefly before he flattened her back against the bookshelves and pressed his body to hers. Somehow he’d managed to capture both her wrists in one of his hands and he held them behind her. He had her tightly pinioned, but she wasn’t alarmed.
She was angry.
Their eyes and their bodies were locked in a battle of wills, and she truly had no idea who was going to win.
“Let me go!” she whispered hotly, and squirmed against his pressing weight, knowing it was futile but unable to simply acquiesce to his imprisonment without a fight.
“No, my indignant Miss Prim. If you were so outraged by what happened between us just now, you should have taken your retribution when I offered you the chance.”
Her breath trembled in her throat. His tone, the light of intrigue in his green eyes, made her stomach quiver deliciously. Teasing warmth tingled across her breasts. She was baffled that even though she was furious with him, he could make her feel such pleasing sensations.
She ceased struggling. “I’ve never slapped a man,” she admitted.
He lowered his head, bringing his face close to hers. “You’ve probably never had reason to before now.”
