The Remarkable Miss Frankenstein

tiny creases at the corners.

Turning her attention back to her aunt, Clair replied, 'You and everyone else, it seems.'

The carriage hit a large pothole, its sudden lurch throwing Clair practically into Ian's lap, while Lady Mary hung on to the carriage straps, barely keeping herself upright. Noting how Clair's back blocked her aunt's view, Ian playfully pinched Clair's breast, just to see her reaction.

She didn't disappoint him. She puckered up like a prune and gave him a heated glance that almost caused him blisters.

'Rake,' she hissed.

Ian smiled smugly, leaning back against the carriage seat. She was adorable when she was in a huff. She was adorable when she was in her brown study. She was adorable naked. He crossed his legs, wondering if his arousal was conspicuous under his breeches. He hoped Lady Mary didn't notice the sudden bulge.

Clair was exasperated. Everywhere there were doubters. She wondered if Newton had faced this heavy problem when he kept telling everyone about apples and gravity. They had probably just told him to go bake a pie. Had Trevithic almost run out of steam before anyone accepted his locomotive run on the power of heated water? 'I'm not wrong this time,' she said again.

'Hmm,' Lady Mary offered. 'If you are right, then this party is probably a very dangerous idea.' She shivered briefly, then smiled at Ian. 'I am so glad you are here, Ian, to help protect us from the big bad wolf.'

Hiding his amusement, Ian replied stoically, 'My pleasure.' Then he turned and grinned at Clair, hoping she was remembering their pleasures of the other night. She was. She blushed a becoming pink.

Bloody hell, he cursed silently. He was randy as a goat. Two tastes of the luscious Clair had not been enough—would never be enough. He had wanted to make love to her again, but commitments had kept him busy for the past two days.

'When is Galen coming?' Clair asked.

Ian shrugged. 'He probably arrived at Wolverton Manor several hours ago, since he was on horseback.'

Clair smiled. 'I am glad your cousin could attend,' she said.

Ian nodded, noting that Clair's aunt was wearing a smile of pure satisfaction, looking quite like the cat that swallowed the canary. He wondered at her smugness.

Lady Mary had been clandestinely watching the two youngsters all the way from London. She knew two lovebirds when she saw them. She smiled a secret smile. Oh, yes! Wedding bells would be ringing if she had her way. And it would be soon. She didn't want her niece to have a seven-month baby, something upon which gossipmongers would be sure to expound. She smiled her secret little smile again. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ian was too honorable to take Clair's virtue and not do right by her. And despite her niece's scientific bent and vows to remain single and pursue her supernatural studies, Clair was head over heels in love with the handsome baron. It was a coup de grâce.

How the other matchmaking mothers would turn pea green with envy! Yes, Lady Mary knew, her Plan A, To Catch a Baron, was running full steam ahead. She would definitely use her stuffed doves for an altarpiece at the wedding.

Stifling the urge to pat herself on the back, she addressed herself to the couple. 'Yes, Ian is such a big man. I am sure you need fear no wolf at his door.'

Clair's frown deepened at her aunt's comment. She placed a hand on Ian's arm. 'You must let me handle the situation if danger appears. I have come quite prepared.'

Ian didn't like the sound of that. He liked it even less when she pulled a small derringer out of her valise.

'Silver bullets,' she confided proudly.

'Bloody hell, Clair! Have you got a maggot in your head? Give me that thing before you hurt someone.' He glowered as he reached for the gun.

Stubbornly, she shook her head. 'I am an expert shot.'

'That's what I'm afraid of.' Ian held out his hand, but Clair ignored him. The situation was farcical, ludicrous, and downright scary. Clair with a gun!

Clair's eyebrows raised in question.

'You'll shoot somebody accidentally,' he explained. 'And being the fine markswoman you are, it could be fatal.'

She slipped the derringer back into her valise. 'I promise to keep it hidden away, unless there is an emergency.'

Ian threw up his hands in disgust. 'Heaven help us from females carrying guns and driving buggies. What is the world coming to?' His question had both ladies glaring at him and giving him the silent treatment until they were shown to their respective rooms in the earl's home.

Clair stopped outside the second-floor room assigned to her and her aunt. Mary excused herself and went inside, while Clair stood outside with Ian.

Bowing, he demanded, 'You are going to rest after our journey. No snooping, spying, or sneaking around until I can go with you.'

Crossing her fingers behind her back, Clair gave him a sweet smile. 'Of course.'

'Of course you'll rest, or of course you'll snoop?'

'Rest,' she replied pettishly.

Kissing her forehead, he turned and headed toward the third-floor stairs. Looking over his shoulder he called, 'It's almost dusk. I'll be back in a couple of hours to escort you to supper.'

Clair slipped inside her room, quickly brushing the travel dust off her clothes. She sighed as she glanced at her aunt, who had already taken off her cloak and bonnet. 'I wish either my maid or yours could have made the trip with us.'

'You know Karla had that nasty toothache and Pam's baby was running a fever,' Lady Mary replied.

Removing her bonnet, Clair dropped it on a delicate chair with pale pink flowers. 'The earl's butler told me he would send a maid up later to help us dress.' Unlatching her valise, she pulled her silver comb and brush set out and began brushing the tangles in her waist-length hair. 'I thought it odd that the earl wasn't here to greet us,' she said.

'His butler said he would return shortly. Some emergency with one of the tenants.'

Hmm, Clair mused. 'Nonetheless, I guess I shouldn't look a gift wolf in the mouth.'

'What was that, dear?' Lady Mary asked, straightening from taking off her boots.

'Nothing much. Just a thought.' Clair finished brushing her hair.

Lady Mary surveyed her niece with a critical eye. There was no doubt about it: Clair looked different, more confident, and unfortunately more secretive. 'Is there anything you would like to talk to me about?' she probed, hoping Clair would confide in her about a relationship with the baron.

Clair shook her head, setting out her toilette articles. 'No.' She couldn't tell her aunt about Ian yet. It was too new, too personal—and besides, she knew exactly what her aunt would do. She would be married before she could say, 'In a pig's eye.'

Although Clair longed to talk with her aunt, she knew deep down that she could not take the bridal veil just yet. She and Ian had to resolve their differences concerning her research and studies. Ian had to accept her as she was and would always be: as a scientific Frankenstein to the blissful end, even after marriage. Though she knew many women lost their identities when entering the married state, Clair would not allow that to happen.

She grimaced and tied her hair back in a long braid. She loved Ian Huntsley with all her heart. She just had to bring him around to her way of thinking. He was only a man. They weren't as astute as females. They weren't as determined as women, and they certainly weren't as smart. Still, he was her man. She sighed. That part of her body, which had truly been untouched until a few nights before, was throbbing. Her blood was on fire. Her breasts were aching. She was looking forward in a totally unladylike manner to discovering more of Ian's expertise in lovemaking.

Glancing out the corner of her eye at her aunt, who was slipping into her bedrobe, Clair mused that she and Ian stood little chance of being alone together. Not with everything working against them.

Sensing her niece's restlessness, Lady Mary asked, 'I take it you are undertaking your search now?'

Clair nodded.

'Be careful. Remember the story about that silly young girl who was always running around in that dreadful