Brave? Bold? Genius? A host of words that had never been used to describe Violet Waverly?
James shook his head. “What will you do after I ruin you?”
This time, her smile was genuine. “Whatever I want.”
Chapter 9
“This is a terribleidea.”
Violet glared at James as he climbed into the carriage and shut the door behind him. The air was eerily still inside the vehicle safely ensconced in the stable. Meeting in the earliest hours of the day had been her suggestion; once a girl has decided to ruin herself, it’s best to get it over with haste. “This is a brilliant plan,” she said, lifting her chin. “The groom said a gentleman went out for a ride about an hour ago, so he should return any moment. He’ll be in a perfect position to catch us.”
James settled on the bench across from her and spread his arms wide. “How will he know we’re here?”
“We’ll have to make noise.”
His brows shot up. “What kind of noise?”
Heat rushed up her neck. “You know… intimate noise.” James’s face drained of color, and she waved her hands around. “I can do it, you just… sit there. Look disheveled.”
“Disheveled.”
“Surely you’ve been disheveled before! Flushed cheeks, messy hair, your trousers—”
“Please don’t talk about my trousers.” He blew out a breath through pursed lips. “So this mysterious man enters the stable, hears our…” He gave her a withering look. “—Intimate noises, and flings open the carriage door.”
She tugged some hair free of its braid and undid the top buttons of her jacket and shirtwaist. “You will act penitent, then swear you’ll make it right.” She removed one glove and tossed it into his lap, the other onto the carriage floor. “Go to Valebrook and ask for my hand, a total gentleman, while I slink off to my rooms in disgrace.”
“Because gentlemen often seduce ladies in carriages before the sun is fully up.”
“The timing isn’t at issue here. We take the opportunities when they arise.” She clapped her hands on her lap to get his attention back from where he fumbled with his cuffs. “You’ll ask for my hand, and I’ll refuse you.”
“Should I be heartbroken?”
She looked up from where she’d been hiking her skirts up until her stockings showed. “A bit, but I take the brunt of the shame and gossip. I’m accustomed to it by now.”
He tossed his hat on the floor of the carriage and raked his hands through his hair until it stood on end. “Are you certain—”
“Shh!” Her pounding heart almost drowned out the sounds of approaching footsteps. “He’s coming!” Suddenly this idea seemed too reckless, too wild—
“Uuuunnhhhh,” James groaned, throwing his head back.
Her jaw dropped. “What is that?”
“I’m making intimate noises.”
“Thoseare the sounds you make?”
He scowled, the resemblance to Callum uncanny. “If you think I’m—”
“Help me rock the carriage.” She threw her weight from one side to the other, and the carriage springs creaked wearily beneath them. James rolled his eyes but joined in. After a moment, they were both panting, and perspiration ran down her spine.
Where was this bloody gentleman and how long could it take before—
She realized her mistake too late—no one would believe James was taking liberties fromacrossthe carriage!
With a grunt, she heaved herself in his direction, but her heel caught in the hem of her skirts. Howling, she tumbled to the floor just as the door was wrenched open.
Violet spilled onto the ground of the stable, sending up a cloud of dirt and straw. As she coughed and sputtered, James’s bellowed oath reached her ears.
