too with the day's growth of whiskers on his jaw. His hair was in
disarray, his shirttail was hanging out, and there was a definite
menacing quality about him now. Yet, she still thought he was
handsome.
He wanted her. She still couldn't seem to get past that remarkable
fact, and she really wished she could talk to him about it. She didn't
dare say a word, at least not while he was in his present irritable
mood. She supposed she would have to wait until later to bring up the
topic, and perhaps by then she would have figured out why his admission
had stunned her and left her breathless.
No, she wouldn't mention it now because it would be indelicate.
Daniel didn't have any such reservations. 'About what I said yesterday
. . . ' 'And what was that? ' 'You know . . . that I wanted you. '
She folded her hands together. 'You didn't mean it. Is that what you
want to tell me now? It was the fever talking.'
'No, I meant it all right.'
'You did? ' she whispered, astounded that he was being so
forthright.
She had just given him an out, but he hadn't taken it.
'Yes, ' he said. 'I'm not going to do anything about it, though, so
don't let it go to your head.' Her mouth dropped open. 'Excuse me?
' she said.
Daniel realized he'd made a bit of a blunder when he saw the fire in
her eyes. 'I just meant that I guess you could take what I said as a
compliment, but don't make too much out of it because I don't plan to
do anything about it.'
'Oh, yes, it was a compliment all right. You told me you wanted me,
and then you promptly threw up all over me.' He burst into laughter.
'I'm real sorry, Grace.'
'Oh, go stick your head in a bucket.' He laughed again. 'I got you
all riled up, didn't I? I didn't think you were capable of ever
getting angry, but you are, aren't you? You've got a temper underneath
that thick layer of sugar, Lady Winthrop. I wonder what good old Nigel
would think about that.'
'Must you be so exasperating? ' 'Do you still want to send the
telegram agreeing to marry Nigel? ' 'Could we please change the
subject? ' 'Sure, ' he agreed. 'Do you want to talk about the weather
