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“I don’t believe we’ve ever been introduced.”

And that’s the way it’s going to stay. Toying with rakes was a dangerous game she didn’t want to play.

“Well, we can hardly stand on ceremony, can we? Not when there’s nobody here to make the introductions,” he said, a cruel smile crossing his lips.

“There’s no need. I’m already fully aware of who you are,” she said, keeping her tone casual—bored, even—in hopes that he’d see there’d be no fun in chasing her.

“Of course you do,” he said with a chuckle. “Who doesn’t in this waterlogged city?”

“Are you disparaging Edinburgh?” she asked, before she could stop herself. Engaging in any more conversation with this man would be social suicide, but defending her home was a powerful instinct too.

“I suppose it’s all well and good for one who’s never known anything else, but there’s really no substitute for the pleasures of London,” he said, chomping down on his cigar again.

Ina crossed her arms over her chest and stared him down. “Then you’d best take the next train out of Waverley.”

He leaned forward in his chair, his arms braced on his knees. “Who are you that you’re so bold when alone in a room with a gentleman you don’t know?”

Panic flared up in her. She’d intrigued rather than repelled the man. Not a good idea.

“I’m just here to see that painting,” she said, struggling to insert ennui into her voice.

Sir Kier followed her gaze. “That?”

“Yes, that.”

He stood to get a closer look. “It hardly looks worth the canvas it’s painted on.”

Her eyes narrowed. “It happens to have been painted by one of the most important women artists of the last century.”

“Well, that explains it.”

She bristled. “I beg your pardon?”

He took one step toward her and then another. “Have I offended your sensibilities, Miss . . . ?”

She stumbled back to keep the distance between them, her mind racing as it ran through each scenario. If he laid even a finger on her and anyone found out, she’d be ruined. She could try to run, but if he caught her she’d be ruined, and likely hurt in the struggle. She couldn’t scream, because if someone came to her aid, she’d be ruined. Ina was struggling to find any scenario that didn’t end in her complete and utter ruination.

Her father might be wealthy enough to make her spinsterhood acceptable, but there was no amount of wealth that’d make society take her back if she was found with Sir Kier. Her friends would be forced to give her up for the good of their own reputations. The invitations would dry up. She’d be alone, the fate that awaited all women who overstepped society’s boundaries, whether it was their choice or not.

Gavin would still be there for you.

But at what cost? She had no doubt he’d stand by her, but losing his good opinion would hurt more than anything else. She wouldn’t—couldn’t—let that happen. She had to get herself out of that room, and fast.

“Is this what you do at parties?” she asked, forcing haughtiness into her voice. “Wait for young women to stumble into your web?”

Sir Kier’s next step hitched. “If you’re implying—”

“And what are you doing in Mrs. Sullivan’s library?” she asked, hands on her hips, mimicking the pose her aunt struck when she was about to deliver a lecture. Men like Sir Kier were used to being the predators, and if she was bolder, more powerful than he perhaps she stood a chance of unmanning the brute.

He cleared his throat. “I’m the guest of Count Erovick.”

No doubt the German aristocrat had failed to mention Sir Kier’s name when he inquired about bringing a friend along, for she doubted very much that Mrs. Sullivan would want a man of Sir Kier’s reputation at her salon.

“So you decided to take advantage of your hostess’s hospitality and skulk in the lady’s library?”

She’d frozen him in place. Here was a man rumored to be nothing if not a hellion, a libertine, a very bad man indeed, and yet he was thrown by a young lady standing up to him. Perhaps she would be able to extricate herself from this situation after all.

“Wait, I do know who you are.” Sir Kier’s eyes sparked with some wicked idea. “Miss Ina Duncan. I’m beginning to believe the rumors I’ve heard about you may be true.”