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“I should think they might find comfort in the fact I wish to find out what happened.”
“You are not going,” he said firmly.
She leaned forward, her posture slowly unfurling into the recognizable stand of privilege—chin raised, shoulders straight. A haughty air quality to the slight tilt of her nose. He doubted anyone told her no.
Well, it was about time.
“Why should it bother you?”
“It is...improper.” He gestured vaguely to her then clasped his hands behind his back when she moved. He’d waved the red flag to the bull. He’d seen bullfighting in Spain on his Grand Tour and none of those creatures were as determined to run a man down than her. He had a fight on his hands now. If only this blasted woman were a tad more predictable.
She rose from the chair and motioned to her uniform. “I am disguised as your maid. It cannot get more improper than this. All I need is for you to find out where they live. You must have a record of it somewhere—”
He stood and drew himself to his full height to peer at her down his nose. “No.”
If she met Julian’s parents, she might find out enough to put a few pieces together and he could not have that.
“But—”
“No.”
“It is like you do not even wish to solve this matter!” She flung her hands in the air, twisted and stomped several steps away.
“Why did I go and see where Julian died then?” he blurted. He closed his eyes briefly when she stilled and twisted on a heel. Now why did he want to go and provoke the bull? And why did he feel a desperate need to improve his standing in her eyes? He didn’t give a fig what anyone thought of him—most especially her.
“You...went to my house?”
“And met with your sister and aunt too. I wanted to hear what Lady Eleanor had to say about her meeting with Julian myself.”
“I hope you were kind to her. This has been most aggravating for her.”
“I was a perfect gentleman. I even wore a cravat.” He allowed himself a smug smile as her shoulders softened and the point of her chin retreated.
“Oh.”
“They are an interesting lot. I can see why you are the way you are.”
“Oh? And how is that?”
He took a step closer. Why, he could not be certain. Apparently he was no longer in control of his own movements.
“You are clever.” He moved closer still. “Bold.”
Another step and he was in front of her, within arm’s reach. She lifted her gaze to meet his and he glanced at her lips then spied the darkening of her eyes. This was interesting. Most women preferred words on their beauty. But not Chastity.
“Determined,” he continued.
“Yes,” she agreed softly.
“Courageous.”
She nodded and she wavered closer until there was barely a foot between them. His heart stuttered and the air about him thickened. He struggled to draw it into his lungs while his fingers prickled with the urge to grab her. Somewhere a voice told him to stop, but he was too far gone. He wanted to see what happened.
“Loyal,” he added softly and reached out to press a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “Extremely loyal.”
Her throat bobbed. “Yes,” she whispered.
He leaned down until his lips were mere inches from hers. “Not to mention absurdly kissable.”
