Page 10 of The Duke’s Defiant Love

"Though I confess," she added, "I am rather more interested in whether you are capable of changing your mind once someone has given you reason to."

Sebastian's mouth curved faintly.

"That depends upon the reason."

"Then perhaps I shall have to give you a better one."

Something warm moved low in his chest.

Tristan glanced between them and took a slow drink, very deliberately saying nothing. Nathaniel did the same. Julian, however, still looked amused.

Sebastian ignored all three.

"I would like your name," Sebastian said, because it was the only sensible question left to ask, and because he found, with some irritation, that he wanted the answer rather more than was reasonable.

She regarded him for a moment.

"I am not certain you have earned it."

His brows lifted.

"Earned it?"

"You have spent the better part of the evening insisting that London society rewards the appearance of intelligence more readily than intelligence itself."

"I believe that to be true."

"And yet you have spent the last quarter hour attempting to decide whether I am worth listening to based entirely upon the fact that I happen to be a woman you have never met."

"I have done no such thing."

"No?"

There was the faintest curve to her mouth.

"Then I am relieved. It would have been rather disappointing."

Sebastian stared at her. She had him. Worse, she knew it.

"I have not decided whether you are worth listening to," he said at last. "I have decided that you are difficult to ignore."

Something flickered in her eyes.

"That is not quite the same thing."

"No."

"And which do you consider preferable?"

His gaze remained on hers.

"I have not yet determined that."

"Then perhaps we should leave you to your research."

She inclined her head as though the matter were settled. Sebastian watched her begin to turn.

"At least tell me your name."