CHAPTER 7
Rakehell! Scoundrel!
Alarm bells rang in her head, louder than all the voices that threatened to drive her to insanity.
He was getting closer and closer. Much too close than what was proper, even for her betrothed.
“A book,” she finally managed to say. “I thought you might be in possession of a book that Lizzy might not have known about.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and shefeltit. Felt its undeniable pull. Like he was the sun that her world suddenly revolved around.
“If I had a book in my possession that should not be read by any young lady such as my impressionable sister, I would not give it to you.” He tapped her nose. “And I certainly have nonehere that might lead to a duel, ifthatis the kind you mean—inspiration for that intriguing letter.”
His low chuckle seemed to roll out of his chest and skitter down to her spine.
Does he find all of this… amusing?
Or did he findheramusing?
Selina had never been so confused by a man in her entire life. He was nothing at all like her father had warned her he was. Nothing like evenLizzyhad warned her he was.
She lifted her chin in bold defiance. If he thought he could charm her into submission, then she would show him just how gravely mistaken he was.
“Bold of you to assume that there is a book you can keep me from reading, Your Grace,” she told him.
“Is that a threat, My Lady?”
“If it is, then I assure you it is not a baseless one.” She folded her arms over her chest and regarded him with a raised eyebrow.
His smile widened, stirring something warm deep within her. “How much trouble are you willing to get into for a book, My Lady?”
Selina frowned at him. “I do not like it when you call me that.”
“Is that not the proper way to address the daughter of a duke?”
He was right, curse him. Itwasthe proper way to address her. How he said it, however, was where the problem lay. There was simply something dark and sinful about it, like indulging in an extra slice of cake right after breakfast.
She eyed him, taking in the hard line of his shoulders. The solid chest that was barely hidden by the lawn of his shirt. That satisfied smirk on his lips that she would dearly love to wipe off.
He had to be the most aggravatingly handsome man alive.
“Perhaps I should choose another form of address, seeing as you are now my intended,” he continued. “How about ‘little troublemaker’?”
She glared at him.
He chuckled and tipped her chin. “It suits you well enough, but I think there is something more appropriate.”
“I doubt you can come up with anything appropriate. At all.”
“How about…” He paused, eyeing her. “My love.”
Selina stiffened.
“I think we should stick to that,” he continued. “After all, that is what your father read in the letter. It might confound him terribly if we changed it.”
“Fine. Keep it,” she muttered through gritted teeth.
“Not much originality there, but alas, we must play the cards we have been dealt.” He grinned slyly at her and added, “My love.”
