The embrace heated rapidly, growing so wild they couldn’t continue. As their lips parted, they were giggling like naughty children who’d misbehaved and had gotten away with it.
“I must point out, Miss Grey,” he teasingly said, “that you are in my bedchamber and lying on my bed. What’s come over you?”
“I had to talk to you; it couldn’t wait. If you hadn’t been here, I might have torn the manor down brick by brick until I located you.”
He slid onto his side, and she slid too so they were nose to nose. He rested a hand on her waist and asked, “What happened?”
“I discussed Gregory with my uncle.”
“How did it go? In light of your agitated condition, I’m predicting it was difficult.”
“It was, and it wasn’t. He made excuses and tried to sweep Gregory’s conduct under the rug. He actually explained that it’s very common for men to have affairs. That was his exact comment! Men have affairs, and if Gregory was having one, I should learn to live with it.”
Caleb’s jaw dropped in shock. “You’re joking.”
“No, and he also warned me that you are a very shady character, and if it was you who had claimed Gregory was out of control, I shouldn’t believe you.”
“I am a shady character; he’s right about that. And men have affairs; he’s right about that too. If you ever spent time in London, you’d be stunned by the antics you’d witness.”
“Well, there may be mischief occurring in town, and Gregory may be one of the worst offenders, but I don’t have to put up with it. Uncle Samson told me I should ignore Gregory’s flaws, so guess what I told him?”
“Considering the wicked gleam in your eye, I’m almost afraid to ask.”
“I told him I’m not marrying Gregory. I insisted the wedding is off, and I won’t pretend about it. I informed him too that Mrs. Starling must depart the premises and that he could have the dubious honor of apprising her that she’d been kicked out at my specific command.”
“I don’t suppose that decision will be greeted with much enthusiasm by Mrs. Starling.”
“I don’t care. I shouldn’t have to consort with a tart like her, and now that I’ve discovered her base nature, I won’t tolerate her presence in my home.”
He grinned with amusement, but with amazement too. He was surprised by her fit of pique, but by her willingness to give it free rein too. Women weren’t permitted to quarrel and hurl ultimatums at men. He was astounded that she’d have the fortitude to stand up for herself.
“I’m proud of you,” he said. “You resemble a warrior goddess in an ancient fable. If you don’t watch out, you might start smiting people with your blazing sword.”
“A warrior goddess, hm? I like the sound of that. I haven’t felt this good in. . . ever? If you had any idea of how often I’ve had to bite my tongue in this blasted house!” She smirked, appearing impish and full of mischief. “He was so bewildered by my attitude. I hope he didn’t suffer an apoplexy.”
“Maybe he did.”
“When I left the room, he was shouting. He’s probably worried that a fairy changeling has swooped in and taken over my body.”
Caleb laughed, enjoying her spurt of temper. She was so pretty, and with her cheeks flushed with rage, she was even more fetching. She reminded him of Sybil and how she’d fought on his behalf when he was a boy. For years, she’d gone toe to toe with his Ralston kin, with officials in the navy, with headmasters at his boarding school. She’d refused to let him be mistreated simply because his father had been a bigamist and liar.
Usually, he presumed he didn’t like feisty women, but on occasion, he was thrilled to observe such brazenness. Especially when the men in question deserved to be put in their places.
As if to emphasize her new confidence, she initiated a kiss of her own. It was hot and sultry and even a tad dangerous. It had him wishing again that he could unbutton buttons and untie laces, but he wasn’t ready to walk down that road, so he was relieved when she pulled away.
“I just realized you’re not dressed,” she said.
“I was bathing when you came in.”
“I’ve caught you in a complete state of dishabille, and I’m not even sorry.”
“You’re turning into a wench.”
“Since I met you, I’ve become shameless. Is that possible? Or do you imagine I had shameless proclivities buried deep down and you’ve lured them to the fore?”
“I’m sure you were shameless deep down, but I never thought a smidgen of immorality was a bad trait in a female.”
“You’re a man, so you would say that.”
She slipped off the bed and stood. He sat up, his hips balanced on the edge of the mattress, his feet on the floor. He relished the sight of her as she adjusted the combs in her chignon and fussed with her clothes so she’d be more presentable.
“I have to get downstairs,” she said, “to check on the supper preparations. The servants will be frantically searching for me.”
“Let them search. Let’s stay in here all night and act precisely as we shouldn’t.”
“To my great delight—and horror—that notion excites me.” She leaned in and took another quick, desperate kiss. “Have you noticed there’s something different about me all of a sudden? You don’t seem to have.”
“You’re quite a bit wilder than I ever pictured you being, but that’s probably not what you mean.”
“No. I mean that I’m not engaged anymore, so I can flirt without feeling guilty.”
“I’m tickled to hear it.”
“I’m also free to encourage the attentions of other gentlemen—if I find myself in the mood.” She scrutinized him saucily, then raised a brow. “Aren’t you a
