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Something in his eyes encouraged—no, antagonized—her to answer honestly. In for a ha’penny… “I want a husband who looks upon me as his equal, who appreciates the fact I’m capable of comprehending more than gowns and frippery. One who won’t belittle me or treat me like a mindless fool. I want someone experienced enough in the ways of the world to know the difference between love and—” She’d been about to say lust. “Between love and attraction.”
“Lord Abingdon ought to suit you perfectly, then.”
Her mouth fell open in horror. “Lord Abingdon?”
“Yes,” answered Tavistoke with an indulgent smile. “I saw him dancing attendance on you earlier. I know him quite well and can vouch for his appreciation of intellect as well as his vast experience in the, ah, ways of the world, as I believe you put it.”
Heat suffused her face as he looked her up and down once more, and she knew she must be the color of a fresh beet.
But Tavistoke wasn’t finished yet. “Given the way he was looking at you, I expect he’ll come to scratch quite soon. Many women have tried to bag him and failed. You are to be commended. I’m sure you will both be very happy.”
She bit back an indignant gasp. The nerve of the man! Her response was coated with honeyed sweetness. “While you do him a good turn in listing his admirable qualities, I’m afraid your felicitations are premature. I’ve no designs on Lord Abingdon. Nor do I harbor any intent to accept an offer from him, should one indeed be forthcoming.”
“Why ever not?” he asked, his face a mockery of dismay. “You said you care not about titles, but he’s an earl, owns a good portion of England, and I can assure you he’s still virile enough to give you children.” He leaned close, dropping his voice to a loud whisper. “In fact, evidence of his virility exists all throughout England, if you know where to look. And yet he’s conveniently old enough to widow you at a tender age. A reasonable compromise, many would agree. Again, I commend you on your triumph.”
As he no doubt expected after making such a horrid speech, Eden bristled. Wells had put him up to this. She was certain of it. Staring at him with open dislike, she answered his challenge. “I would not agree. Your crude manner smacks of bitterness.” She thrust her verbal blade right where she knew it would count the most. “It is no wonder to me now that Lady Montgomery chose to marry another.” His face remained perfectly still, but she knew she’d hit a nerve. Time to end it. “The only mystery that remains unsolved is how you earned a reputation for charm. I cannot imagine any woman desiring you after being the recipient of such a speech.”
It was a lie. Even now, wroth with him as she was, the blood whistled in her ears and her skin tingled. She’d intended to give him her back and stalk away, head high, but found herself unable to move. The heat in her flesh rose another degree as he came closer. Again she was reminded of the lion in the cage, except the door had been opened, and now the lion was out.
His dark gaze held her prisoner. “Many women would jump at the chance to make an advantageous alliance with a man like Abingdon. Or indeed, with a man like me.”
Gathering her courage, she drew herself up to her full height and glared back at him for all she was worth. “Perhaps I’m not seeking an advantageous alliance,” she snapped. “I don’t care if the man I marry has a pound to his name. I’ve enough money of my own to live comfortably into my dotage without having to prostitute myself to Lord Abingdon or any other man.”
Chapter Two
He’d gone too far. He didn’t care. For some reason the girl positively made his hackles, among other things, rise. Baiting her was delicious. “Whether for money or social gain, every female seeks an advantageous match. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.”
“Then a fool is what I seek,” she threw back. “Allow me to clarify. I’ve no intention of selling myself to the highest bidder for such paltry reasons as you have submitted. I would rather decline to marry at all than settle for less than my heart’s desire.”
Unrepentant, he grinned. “Every woman has her price, whether she calls it her heart’s desire or something else.”
“So does every man.” She eyed him with open contempt. “What is yours, my lord? Name it, and I shall name mine. Then we shall see which of us is the greater whore.”
The verbal slap stung no less for all it had been delivered in a soft voice, and it drew him up short. Why in heaven’s name was he intentionally vexing a beautiful woman? Especially one he’d set out to seduce? He ought to be dancing with her, sweeping her off her feet and wooing her with soft words. Instead they were arguing like a pair of fishmongers.
It was time to eat a little crow. “Madam, I must humbly beg your pardon. My current disposition is not what it ought to be, and I’m afraid you’ve borne the brunt of my bad mood. I’ve been an ass.”
“Indeed you have.” Her sapphire eyes were hard as adamant. “If you will excuse me, I shall take my leave.”
He caught hold of her hand before she could turn. “But we have not yet danced.” Her fingers shook a little. Was it anger that made them shake or something else?
“I’m afraid I’ve lost the inclination to dance. Besides, this one is nearly finished, and I’m already obligated for the next. Good evening, Lord Tavistoke.” She tried to pull away.
“Wait. Please, allow me to explain—”
Refusing to meet his eyes, she tugged again. “You need not attempt to justify yourself.”
“I beg to differ. I am…” He swallowed past the tightness in his throat and, still holding her hand, moved closer. “I thought I was fit to return to Society. I was, apparently, wrong. I’ve been unconscionably rude.”
She softened at once and stopped pulling. “I have also been sharp-tongued. I am perhaps overly sensitive when it comes to the subject of my previous suitors.”
“I can see why. I imagine a lot of people have ma
de false assumptions about you.”
“I wasn’t intentionally cruel, you know,” she said at last. “I tried very hard to be kind to those who were sincere—or at least those who thought themselves sincere. Is it so awful of me to accept nothing less than what I truly want?”
He had encountered some cleverly crafted traps in his day, and this both felt and smelt like one. Anger returned with astonishing swiftness, and he turned her loose. “I think it cruel to let a man feel he has a chance of winning a woman’s heart when in reality none exists. If you don’t think you can love a man, Miss Lowther, I adjure you to eschew all pretenses and let him know it in plain terms before he asks for your hand. To do otherwise is to show a lack of human compassion, a most unattractive failing in any person, but especially so in a woman.”
