He shook his head. ‘I’m merely suggesting that you accompany me to maybe a couple of events in the town so we can be seen together on amicable terms. People will then realise that you have reconciled yourself to my presence and your status will improve accordingly. In addition, I shall ensure my guests do not intrude on your privacy ever again.’
She was still staring at him. ‘I’m sorry. I still cannot believe that you’re serious.’
‘I fear you have a low opinion of men in general, Miss Summerby.’
‘If I do, you must realise that the past few days have done nothing to revise that opinion. Your friends have mocked me and belittled me, just when I thought…’ Her voice faltered.
‘You thought what?’
‘I thought,’ she said, ‘that I would be safe here.’
He saw her shiver. Was it the cooling night breeze, or was it his suggestion that had chilled her to the bone? He waited, resisting the urge to offer her his coat, until she said at last, ‘I hope you understand that I want neither your condescension nor your pity.’
‘I can assure you that you will have neither. Besides, I shall be getting something out of this too.’
‘You will?’
‘I hope so. You see, London’s debutantes are flocking to Brighton now that the Prince Regent is here, and husband-hunting is their aim. I have no wish to be saddled with a wife at present, so if I’m seen a few times in public with you, it will give me some respite from them.’
She almost laughed. ‘Are you serious?’ She pointed to herself. ‘You can’t really imagine they will view me as competition?’
Oh, Miss Summerby,thought Dan.If they saw you looking as you do at the moment, they most definitely would.Instead,he shrugged and said, ‘You seem determined to argue with me, but nevertheless my offer stands.’
She was inspecting his green coat with its ribbons again. At last, she said, ‘You’ll have to warn me in advance of the clothes you’ll be wearing, because I’d hate our colours to clash.’
He was inexplicably pleased that some of her spirit was returning. ‘I will. Oh, and by the way, my guests will be leaving tomorrow.’
This time, she looked truly startled. ‘They will?’
‘Indeed.’ In fact, he’d just decided it that very minute and the idea pleased him greatly. Yes, tomorrow he would be telling them all to go, except for his brother, at whose door he could probably lay the blame for tonight’s two startling events—his decision to send his guests packing and the offer he’d just made to Miss Summerby. But would she accept? She was certainly looking at him quite oddly, but then she seemed to sigh and turned to gaze at the house.
Thanks to that extraordinary pink gown, Dan couldn’t keep his eyes off her. He wasn’t especially proud of the fact, but over the years he had become something of an expert on women’s garments and on removing them, and at this moment, although it was scandalously inappropriate, he couldn’t help but wonder what she wore beneath her dress. Certainly not much, because when he had held her, he’d felt her body’s warmth through the thin fabric, which meant no corset, possibly no chemise…
Miss Summerby’s underwear is absolutely none of your business,he reminded himself sharply. Any wayward thoughts were the result of the moonlight, and that dress, and her brief vulnerability. He also needed no reminding that she was doubtless a virgin and in all other ways off-limits for him, so it was definitely time to get back on more businesslike terms.
He cleared his throat and said, ‘Well?’ His voice came out more coolly than he’d intended. ‘I suggested you agree to two outings with me and I’m still waiting for your answer.’
‘Respectable outings, you mean?’
No doubt she was thinking of his wretched parties. ‘Rest assured, Miss Summerby. We shall attend events that are entirely respectable, and if you wish I shall leave the choice to you. There will be some gossip, but as long as we refrain from hurling insults at one another in public, then your reputation should be restored.’
‘May I have till tomorrow to give you my answer?’
‘Certainly. And you can send Joseph with a message, if you prefer. Your ankle might still be painful for you in the morning.’
She shook her head. ‘I shall be fine. A cold compress for an hour or two is the answer.’
Thinking that a total immersion in ice-cold water was exactly what he himself needed to restore his common sense, Dan nodded, wished her a brusque good evening and set off back along the path to his house.
Kate watched for a few moments as the Earl’s long strides took him swiftly into the encroaching darkness, then she sat down again because she felt overwhelmed and a little dizzy. Being seen in his company would be daunting indeed, but what would happen if she didn’t oblige him with a ‘Yes?’ She guessed he would be astonished, because he must expect everyone to do his bidding without demur.
It was getting chilly now and her ankle throbbed horribly, but still she did not move to go inside. This man. Thisman.He had been furious with her when she’d arrived at his awful party that first night, he’d been contemptuous over her accusations about his right to the land and he’d also refused to believe shehad written repeatedly to Jemima. How could she possibly trust him?
But strangely enough, she did think that his offer was genuine. Tonight, he had shown a degree of remorse; he had even told her he was sending his guests away, and really, she had no choice but to trust him if her life in Brighton was to be in any way bearable. He would, however, be inflicting more punishment than he realised, for it wasn’t just the outings that were the problem. It washim.
Throughout their conversation, she couldn’t help noticing the wicked way his dark lashes framed those amazing blue eyes, and how his brown hair clung softly to the nape of his neck. Already a strong hint of beard growth had darkened his firm jaw, making him look more piratical than ever, and she’d felt a throb of warning deep inside her—You are out of your depth here.
It was no good. She found him impossibly, undeniably attractive, and even now she felt a tremor run all the way down her spine, hinting at things she’d warned herself never to feel again. Two outings with the man? Dear God, could she really survive them without betraying her shameful weakness? How he would laugh if he knew!
