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Had he actually just confessed such a thing to her? He hardly recognized the sound of his voice, or the stark need ripping through hiasped at this declaration, and he fixated on those rosy pink lips She looked up at hihtened around the curve of her waist, delighting in the delicious give of her flesh beneath the pressure "The only thing stopping htly nant again, her eyes snapping with te you is ust me!"

Her insult flew like the slash of a whip and he wondered at her harshness He felt the sting of her words as keenly as any tear to the flesh--a fact that only infuriated hiht of hinify

He shook his head, refusing to believe her Earlier this evening she’d alhter against him "Indeed? If you suddenly so loathe my company, why are you here now?"

She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, the pose re for battle "Because I have so to say to you"

"You’ve said quite a bit already, Miss Hadley I can’t i out"

"What I need to say will only take athe empty balconies "A moment best not spent here then Not if you care for your reputation as you claih Coestion She arched back, pushing at his chest with the base of her pal your chamber with you" Her voice burned in a low, fevered rush "If you would simply allow me to speak my piece and releaseto risk your reputation, but I aure into his roo backward away fro free of her loose plait with every step she took

He closed the door with a solid click Wearing a lazy sainst the chilled glass to observe the fetching sight she made

"Now Tell me What makes you risk life, limb, and reputation to speak with er "Firstly, I hardly risked my life I know you deem me quite old and frail , but I could hurdle those balconies in my sleep"

"I never said you were old and frail," he interrupted, surveying her again in her deliciously snug trousers "Quite the contrary"

She tossed her unraveling plait of hair over her shoulder and glared at him "I know of your plans, and I just wanted you to know that I think you’re despicable Lady Libbie is very unfortunate indeed to fancy herself in love with you"

Frowning, he angled his head, staring at her and trying to decipher her ju to have to explain yourself What plans do you speak of?"

She shot hi both hands on her hips "Come You needn’t play obtuse I know you intend to elope with Lady Libbie, although why I cannot fathouess is that your greedy nature wishes to lay claim to all of Lady Libbie’s bridal settlement without delay so that you can return horandfather is ill"

He pressed two fingers to his te to concentrate "You make no sense For starters, what led you to believe that I’ with Lady Libbie?"

Her eyes darkened "Don’t toy withwith herabout meHas that notion not occurred to you?"

She blinked "You’re the only gentle court to her here She’s scarcely spoken to anyone else Who could it be if not you?"

"I do not know," he growled, his teotten her nose out of joint "I only know it’s not ed "I cain anew"

She crossed her arms "You’re very cold-hearted Do you not even care that the wo to elope with so else I have no emotional attachment to Lady Libbie I should think you can understand that Sparks hardly fly through the air between you and the viscount, but word has it that he’s going to make an offer"

"Is he?" She blinked in such astonish her For soht of the viscount’s hands upon her set his teeth on edge An untenable reaction He would have to get accustomed to the notion If not Tolliver, she would wed so his arry to get at the truth of her reason for seeking hiht "And as it so important that you sneak onto my balcony to confront her "I couldn’t let you leave without telling you what I think of you"

"What you think ofwith another woman?" he finished

She nodded once, theAnd why is that, I wonder?"

She watched hi eyes as he closed in on her "I siible, a cadflirting so scandalously with me on the eve of your planned elope that I knohat you are"

"Ah A cad I can see hoould be i alive as he hadn’t in years Not since before the warwhen all he concentrated on was basic survival--his own and that of his people He was coue with her His blood pumped faster

Her face flushed "You make me soundfoolish"