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Adrianna leaned forward. “Now that is a tract of land fit for three lords of your stature.”
“Quite,” he answered, crossing one
knee over the other as his gaze drifted to her sister Bianca. He looked like a cat about to steal the milk. His square jaw flexed even as his dark eyes glittered with nefarious interest. His arms flexed as he wrapped his large hands about his knee. For just a moment, she watched his long, tapered fingers lace together. Oh, he was handsome. That was for certain. It’s part of what made him so dangerous.
Not to her, of course. No matter how masculine he looked, she was not fooled. Despite having grown up in this tiny hamlet, she considered herself smart enough to do battle with the likes of a rake. It was her best asset and the one that would keep her sisters safe as they all hunted for husbands. Bianca was a lovely woman with a heart of gold, but she’d never defend herself against a man like this. Which was why Adrianna needed to frighten him away right this minute before one of her sisters succumbed to his good looks and charm.
“Now in Haversham, there are only three parcels that could possibly suffice for such a transaction that you’d be interested in making. I’m truly curious. Which one are you considering?”
His knee dropped back down, his gaze fixing on her as the muscles in his face hardened. “Which one?”
“Yes.” she placed her most innocent smile on her face. “Which tract of land are you referring to?” It was difficult, but she kept from crowing over her victory. She had him. Haversham was part of her family’s holdings. Not her father’s, of course, but his older brother’s, The Earl of Seabridge.
He slowly sat up in his chair, as a hand came to the back of his neck, giving the skin a careful rub. “Well,” he started and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “The one closest to Haversham proper, of course.” Then he turned to her father, his look brightening. “And if this deal works the way I hope it does, perhaps we can discuss the shipment of our newest goods. It would be a natural pairing.”
Her father brightened considerably. “Now you’re talking.” Her father gave her a pat on the knee. “Adrianna is excessively intelligent. And here I was thinking she didn’t have a point to her questions, but look where she led us. Well done, my sweet girl.”
Adrianna snapped her mouth closed. She noted that Crestwood still hadn’t named a specific plot or the type of product he’d need shipped. But her father was always eager to make a new deal and Crestwood must have realized that. Now her father wouldn’t allow her to interrupt for certain. She’d have to find another way to expose him for the rake he was.
Irritation bristled along her skin. He was good, she’d give him that, but this fight wasn’t over. Far from it. The night had just begun.
