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Marcus’s hand compressed into a hard fist "Because of a few scars?"
The question s, Marcus You don’t knohat you’re talking about And co from a man who takes his pick of thefro that I’m some shallow fool who values a woman only for her appearance?"
Aline was te peace between them But as she considered the last feomen that Marcus had carried on with…"I’m sorry to say, Marcus, that each of your recent choice of companions--the last four or five, at least--displayed all the intelligence of a turnip And yes, they were all quite beautiful, and I doubt that you were able to have a sensible conversation with any of thelared at her "How does that pertain to ere discussing?"
"It illustrates the point that even you, one of the finest and reat importance on physical attractiveness And if I ever see you consort with a woly perfect, then perhaps I’ll listen to your lectures on how appearance doesn’t ood shoot," she said "And heed h, her brother went to find his valet, as laden with rifles and leather bags
More of the shooting party cae pleasantries, and she smiled and chatted pleasantly, always aware of McKenna’s dark figure in the background Only when the guests began to descend en masse down the terrace steps, led by Marcus, did McKenna co," Aline said, while her heartbeat rapidly outpaced her ability to think She offered hientle clasp of his fingers Soed to find a calht?"
"No" His eyes glinted as he retained her hand a er than was acceptable
"I do hope that your roo free of him
"What would you do if I said it was?"
"Offer you another room, of course"
"Don’t bother--unless it’s yours"
His boldness nearly startled a laugh from her--she couldn’t remember when, if ever, alack of respect And it reminded her so much of the comfortable ease they had once shared that she actually found herself relaxing in his presence "That obliging a hostess, I’m not," she infor his hands lightly on the glossy surface His dark head hovered over hers, his stance re her of a cat poised to strike its prey A flicker of predatory interest lightened the turquoise depths of his eyes "What’s the verdict, my lady?"
She pretended not to understand "Verdict?"
"Am I to leave the estate, or shall I stay?"
Idly Aline drew an invisible circle on the table with a well-ertip, while her heart thumped in her chest "Stay, if you wish"
His voice was very soft "And you understand ill happen if I do?"
Aline had never thought that McKenna could be so arrogant--or that she would enjoy it so ainst female, rippled between them When she replied, her voice matched his for softness "I don’t wish to disappoint you, McKenna, but I have complete faith in my ability to resist your advances"
He seemed mesmerized by whatever he saw in her face "Do you?"
"Yes Yours wasn’t the first proposition I’ve ever received And at the risk of sounding rather conceited, it probably won’t be the last" Aline finally let herself sently"Therefore, you may stay and do your worst I fully expect to enjoy your efforts And you should know that I do appreciate a certain a lips Although he showed no reaction to her ireatly she had astonished hiht up to Lucifer and chucked him playfully beneath the chin
"Finesse," he repeated, looking back into her eyes
"Well, yes Serenades, and flowers, and poetry"
"What kind of poetry?"
"The kind that you write yourself, of course"
His sudden lazy sh her "Does Sandridge write poetry for you?"
"I daresay he would" Adam was clever ords--no doubt he would perforreat style and wit
"But you haven’t asked him to," McKenna iven ht to finesse," he told her
Aline arched her brows "Even when it comes to seduction?"
"The women I take to bed don’t usually require seduction"
She rested her chin on her hand, staring at hi, you lance "And most of them are ladies of the upper class" With a perfunctory bow, he turned and left with the shooting party
Aline worked to keep her breath even, and sat until her pulse had steadied
It was now clear to both of theame with no rules and no clear outcome, and potentially heavy losses on both sides And as much as Aline feared for herself, she feared even e of the past was riddled with significant and hazardous gaps Shethe worst of her…to take what he wanted of her, and to eventually leave Stony Cross with his sense of vengeance appeased
Now that she had seen the shooting party off, she had time to relax with a cup of tea in the breakfast roohts of McKenna, she nearly bu the rasping her elbows until he was assured of her balance "Forgive me I was in a bit of a hurry to join the others"