herself, she met his uncompromising expression. “That’s … that’s not kind.”
His eyes glittered. She knew he was no respecter of innocence. Even if he was, what was he to make of her invading his bedroom? Panic tasted rusty on her tongue and she licked dry lips.
His gaze dropped to the betraying movement. The same awareness that had extended between them their first night sizzled through the pause. “I’m not feeling kind.”
She shivered. “Please …” she whispered. “Step back.”
He loomed above her, impervious and unforgiving. “Not until you tell me what you’re doing here.”
“I …” Desperately she sought for some way to explain her presence. Nothing came to mind.
Black brows arched in cynical inquiry. “I what?”
“I can’t think when you stand so close,” she muttered crossly.
Despite the nasty edge to his soft laugh, the sound stroked along her skin. Every hair on her body stood to attention. This heady mixture of desire and alarm sent her into a complete spin.
“I don’t want you to think. I want you to tell me the truth.” He frowned. “Have you come to steal?”
She should be grateful for the accusation. It jolted her out of cowering like a mouse. She straightened and glared at him. “Of course not.”
“Then what are you doing?”
She avoided his eyes. “I thought you were in the library.”
“Catching Lady Mary.” His acerbic response made her wince. His concentration on her burned like a flame.
“I saw Wells bring you supper.”
“What a busy little miss you are.” It wasn’t a compliment. “I already know you’re the ghost.”
Her eyes flashed up. “I wanted a book,” she said desperately.
“One you can’t find during the day?” His voice bit as he continued. “With dear Mr. Crane’s advice on your choice?”
If he was another man, she’d think he was jealous. But the great Marquess of Leath wouldn’t care about a maidservant’s flirtations.
He went on before she could protest. “Surely you won’t say that you’re here for something to read.”
She raised her chin. Knowing that she risked disaster, she said the only thing that came to mind. “I wanted to see where you sleep.”
Surprise had him lurching back. “What the devil?”
She took advantage of the few extra inches of space to draw a breath, tangy with sandalwood. Turning red as a tomato would lend credence to her explanation. “Please don’t make me admit this.”
He watched her like a snake watched a rat. “Admit what?”
“Must I say? You put me to the blush.” That at least was true.
“Yes, you must.”
She pressed her damp palms to her skirts. How she’d love to punch him, but she had a horrible inkling that his jaw would be much harder than her fist. Dear heaven, help her to sound convincing. But not too convincing.
“Hasn’t a servant ever been besotted with you, my lord?” To her surprise, her question emerged steadily.
“Not to my …” He spoke very deliberately. “Are you saying you have a penchant for me, Miss Trim?”
He didn’t sound pleased. She should be relieved that he wasn’t ripping her clothes off. After all, her confession could be taken as an invitation. Yet again it struck her that he was a remarkably restrained libertine.
She struggled to appear bashful instead of scared out of her wits. “It’s embarrassing.”
“I’m sure.” He sounded skeptical, as well he might. “You’ve never seemed dazzled.”
She turned her face away, staring at his hand spread against the door’s rich mahogany. Like the rest of him, his hand was big and powerful and beautifully formed. Despite everything, she couldn’t resist imagining that hand on her skin. His gold signet ring, visible symbol of his rank, gleamed evilly from his little finger. “I have my pride.”
“Of course,” he said drily.
She struggled to look humble and shy and innocent. All were true. Well, apart from the humble part. Her stepfather had frequently warned her that a mere sergeant major’s daughter had no right to be so stiff-necked. “I’m aware of the gulf between us.”
“And it breaks your heart.”
If only she could squeeze out a convincing tear. “I can’t help my feelings.”
He didn’t move closer. It just felt that way. “Do you really expect me to credit this balderdash?”
Her temper stirred. “You underestimate your effect on an impressionable girl.”
He snorted disbelief. “More balderdash.”
Damn him. A turbulent mix of desperation, anger and reckless bravado gripped her. Frantic hands grabbed the front of his shirt. “I’ll show you balderdash, my lord.”
She stretched up until her lips crashed into his.
Leath stiffened—everywhere—under Miss Trim’s unexpected assault. He had to give her credit. She’d dare the devil. He hadn’t expected her to take this absurdity about her tendre for him to this length.
But then, he’d cornered her, hadn’t he?
Her lips were soft and endearingly clumsy. She kissed like a young girl. This might be another ruse to disarm him, but he didn’t think so. Even more unbelievable than her supposed infatuation, the glorious Miss Trim wasn’t much good at kissing.
Which turned out to be a damned lucky thing. As it was, he was hard as an iron bar. If she demonstrated an ounce of skill, his sanity would dissolve completely.
Because he was still marginally sane, he caught her shoulders. For a moment, he reveled in her slender strength. Then with more difficulty than he wanted to admit, he pushed her away.
She panted as her lips slid free. Throughout the brief, urgent kiss, she’d kept her mouth closed.
“What—” She looked dazed, as if he’d painted her world with rainbows. Imagine if he’d kissed her back, taught her what to do.
Except that he refused to kiss women he didn’t trust. And he most definitely didn’t trust this one. Although the shine in her eyes, firelit amber, might almost convince him that she really was smitten.
She
