AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then that would mean you agree with many of my opinions because I agree with him.”
She inclined her head. “Well done, My Lord. It appears you have won this argument. But the subject of my sister remains.”
“Yes. Where is she?” His eyes narrowed as he thought of her preventing Lady Irene from receiving him.
“She is out on a drive with Mr. Pelham,” Lady Elizabeth answered impassively.
Rhys ground his teeth. “You are telling me this now?”
“I did not have the opportunity until now.”
“Yes, because your dog growled the first time.” As if Brutus understood him, he growled again. “Did you teach him to do that?”
“How could I have? He had never met you until today.”
“Perhaps you told him about me.”
“My Lord, I have better things to discuss with Brutus.” She smiled fondly at the dog, and he seemed to return her smile. She looked back at Rhys. “Would you like to wait for her? Two gentlemen are waiting in the other drawing room as well.”
“No, I will not wait. I am a busy man.” He rose and removed his watch from the pocket of his waistcoat to check the time. He had spent about a half hour here and would not have any more of his time wasted.
“Would you like to leave a word for her?” she asked as she played with her pet.
“Do you think I would trust you to convey the message?”
Her head snapped up, and her gaze blazed with hurt. “Deceit is not what I would employ to discourage you from courting my sister.”
Rhys immediately regretted what he had said. He had told himself that he would be courteous toward her, and he had been anything but that since he saw her. His body’s reaction to everything she did or said frustrated him, and he needed to leave the house as soon as he could.
“I apologize,” he said. “Will you ask her if she would like to drive about the park with me tomorrow?”
Lady Elizabeth nodded but said nothing. Again, Rhys felt guilty, “Good day to you,” he murmured and started toward the door.
“My Lord,” she called before he reached the door, and he paused. “I cannot speak to your back.”
He faced her. She was standing and looking uncertain for the first time since he saw her today. Her shoulders were stiff, and her hands were clasped in front of her. If he interpreted her tone and posture correctly, she was going to ask for something. Rhys walked back to her, his lips curved in a satisfied smile. The power had returned to him.
“I lost something at the ball,” she said in a low voice. “In the library to be exact.”
“And you assume I have it.” He was standing close to her and could not stop his eyes from looking down at her bosom. The low neckline of her dress presented it perfectly, and he remembered how she had offered it to him the night before.Heavens, Elizabeth!he almost swore.
“You are not denying it, so my assumption is likely correct. No one in that manor would take it. It would be of no use to them.”
Rhys leaned closer to her and whispered, “Persuade me to return it to you.” He heard her sharp inhalation and found her skin flushed when he straightened.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“Persuade me,” he repeated. “And keep out of my business.” He turned without giving her the chance to respond and walked out.
Of all the ladies he had considered courting, Lady Irene suited him best, and he was going to pursue her whether Lady Elizabeth approved or not. And the desire he felt for Elizabeth would dissipate as it always did. He was sure of it. As if to dispute that, his groin tightened.
