against a charming smile. “So I suggest you save your seductive skills for someone more susceptible.”
“What if I said this isn’t about your store? ”
“Then I’d say you’re a bloody liar.”
He grinned. “I’d still try to talk you into bed.”
“So subtle, Groveland. It makes me quite giddy.”
“Fitz.”
“Groveland.”
He smiled. “You really do fascinate me.”
“While you simply irritate me,” she briskly replied, not exactly truthfully, but opting for prudence in this unpromising relationship. “Kindly have your man take me home.”
“In due time,” he calmly said.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It means I’ll take you home later.”
“For your information, it’s 1891, not the Dark Ages when abductions were just another adjunct to male dominance. Women have rights now, we are no longer chattel, we are equals,” she hotly contended even though she knew better. She was making a point. “What you’re doing is completely outrageous and you know it!”
“You’re quite safe.” His voice in contrast was mild.
“From sex with you?” she shot back. “I doubt it. And for the record, I’m refusing your rude advances.”
“Just talk to me then.”
“About what pray tell? We have nothing in common.”
He smiled. “Allow me to disagree.”
“Sex is sex. It’s not conversation.”
“But pleasant nonetheless.”
“I’m sure there are any number of women who would be more than willing to pleasure you. Acquit me, Groveland, from such endeavors. Now, are you taking me home? ”
“No. Tell me, what do you think of Mother?”
She stared at him, the waning light of the sun shining through the carriage windows casting flickering shadows over his stark features. “Are you drunk?” Both his blunt refusal and his abrupt conversational shift were disconcerting.
“No. I’m perfectly sober. Be frank. About Mother,” he said as if they were dinner table companions sharing a bit of common gossip.
“Good God,” she retorted, agitatedly touching one of the brooches fastening her gown as she recalled the duchess’s morning visit and the motive for it. “What do you want me to say?”
“Say anything you like.” Although it took more than a modicum of restraint to answer blandly when he was mentally unclasping that brooch.
“Very well. Is it normal for your mother to inspect your…” She paused, unsure of what to call herself.
He looked amused. “Lovers? No, not ordinarily.”
She hesitated, not sure she wished to be interrogated, even less sure that she should speak her mind about his mother.
“Tell me what Mother said?” he prompted, wanting her to relax, enjoying the sight and sound of her, and ultimately, of course, waiting to fuck her.
Rosalind sighed. “If you must know, your mother said you were sullen at breakfast and she thought I might have had something to do with it.”
His brows rose. “Perceptive of her. I was pissed.”
“Don’t even start with the reason why. I have no intention of selling my store to you.”
He thought of the men probably searching her apartment even as they spoke. He should have felt some guilt. Instead, he felt only lust. “I won’t say another word about your store,” he offered. First things first. After he was done fucking her, time enough to consider business matters. “I feel, too, I should apologize for Mother. She interferes in my life on occasion.”
“Are you an only child? ”
He nodded. “And you? ”
“I have an older brother.”
“Here? ”
“No, in Yorkshire. He’s a solicitor.”
So her family wasn’t averse to trade. There were those in the gentry that were, no matter their poverty. “Is he married? ”
She gave him a narrowed look. “Why do you ask? ”
“No reason. I was just making conversation.”
“While you’re in the act of abducting me,” she sardonically remarked, pointing at the open window. “I see we’ve left the city.”
“I thought you might enjoy my villa on the Thames. It’s not far.”
“I have no intention of enjoying your villa on the Thames.”
The faintest of smiles graced his fine mouth. “I wonder if it’s your outspokenness that appeals to me most.”
“Please, Groveland, the only thing that appeals to you is sex.”
“How do you know after only one night? ”
“Let’s just say I’m a fast learner.”
“You are.”
“Am I supposed to say thank you? ”
“On the contrary, I should thank you.”
“This might be an opportune time to mention I’m not in the mood for sex tonight. I was quite sore this morning.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not entirely your fault. I could have said no. But there you have it, so you might as well tell your driver to turn around. I’m sure you don’t want to waste your time.”
While her disclosure somewhat altered his plans, he still preferred she not return to her store until later in the evening.
“Call me suspicious, but why would you care about my family? ”
He shrugged. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t. But I like the sound of your voice. I like to look at you.” His smile was well-bred, his deep voice bland, his keen gaze in contrast, that of a connoisseur contemplating his newest prize. “I like your jasmine perfume.”
“And you’d like to have sex with me.”
“Of course I would. But I won’t.”
“So obliging and benevolent.” Sarcasm in every syllable.
He laughed. “You’re a cynic.”
“A realist.”
“Same thing.” He smiled. “Although I know what you mean. I’m a cynic, too.”
“Charming as you are,” she said with sweet mockery, “this spiriting me away is useless. I’m not going to have sex with you, and you don’t really want to talk to me about my family. So maybe I should scream and call out for help from your driver. Would he come to my rescue? ”
“You could try.”
“What does that mean? ”
He shrugged. “No one’s ever screamed for help before. I have no idea what Ogilvy would do.”
“You arrogant ass.”
“Sorry. I may not be
“A woman who says no, you mean.”
