Page 74 of The Bridal Quest

He glanced at her, something sparking in his eyes. "Ah, that rankled, did it?"

"Is that why you did not ask?" she countered, his remark sparking the dry tinder of her hurt and anger. "To rankle me? Were you punishing me?"

"I did not ask you," he said, each word short and sharp, "because you do not care to be my wife. You have made that plain. Therefore I must turn my mind to those who are willing."

Irene burned to make a sharp retort, but she could think of nothing that was not foolish. He was right. She was not in the running, and it would be a waste of his time to dance or talk with her when he could be measuring the others' assets as a bride.

"Of course. I forget that friendship and emotions have no place in your scheme of things."

She shot him a flashing glance, head high and chin up in a defiant pose.

Gideon took a step toward her, his eyes suddenly burning hot, and for an instant the air between them was charged, heavy and humming with anger and heat.

She thought that he was going to pull her to him and kiss her as he had before, and her loins blossomed with warmth, her nipples tightened. Her body felt as if it were opening to him, and she knew that if he kissed her, she would go up in flames like straw at the touch of a match.

She wanted nothing more than that. And nothing scared her more.

She turned abruptly, striding away from him to the center of the room. Almost before she knew what she was going to say, the words came tumbling out of her mouth. "Tell me about Dora."

There was an instant of stunned silence following her request, and she swung around to look at him.

"What?" he asked. "Why do you ask about Dora?"

"That was the name you said, the woman whom you were protecting from my father's advances," Irene went on. "That night, when I found you downstairs ..."

"Yes. She is the faro dealer I told you about."

"Is that all she is to you? An employee?"

"No," he replied, his eyes searching her face. "Why are you asking me this? Who told you about Dora?"

"Teresa. I remembered the name when she said it. I remembered how you told my father never to touch her again."

"And do you have a difficulty with Dora?" he asked, his voice tight, his eyes guarded.

"I?" Irene responded with a sinking heart. His attitude was certainly not that of a man speaking about an employee. "No. How should I have a difficulty with Dora? I have never met the woman."

"Then what is your interest?"

"Curiosity, I suppose," she answered in a voice she hoped was as cool as his. "I wonder if you will tell your wife about her."

"I will," he responded, his eyes still fastened on hers. "She is a part of my life. My wife will have to realize that."

"So part of the price she must pay to become countess is to endure your mistress?"

He looked at her for a long moment. "Is that what Teresa told you? That Dora is my mistress?"

"Yes. She said that she had heard you arguing about her with your grandmother. She said you told Lady Radbourne that you would never give her up."

Gideon released a sigh. "Dora is not my mistress."

Irene tried not to sag with relief.

"I have known Dora for years, since I was a child. We grew up together. She was another of the children Jack collected about him. She was a little younger than I, smaller, weaker. We were friends. I protected her. We shared our food, our blankets. She is ... for all my life, she has been the closest thing that I have had to a family. She is like my sister. But I have never—just the thought of that, with her, is inconceivable."

He looked, Irene realized in amazement, almost embarrassed.

"Indeed, she is engaged to Piers," he went on. "But one thing Teresa said is true. I will not give her up. Ever. Any more than I would give up Piers." His gaze was defiant.