One Rogue Too Many by Samantha Grace

did say I would call today.”
    She shrugged. “One never knows whether to take you at your word, my lord.”
    Anthony’s teeth ground together. He wouldn’t be surprised if steam was rising off his head. She had a way of heating his blood, whether it was from anger or passion. Since he preferred the latter, he refused to show his rancor and provide her with a reason to refuse to speak with him. After her brother’s proclamation that Gabby must choose him in order to earn Luke’s blessing, his confidence in settling the matter quickly was faltering.
    “Perhaps your mind will be at ease now that I have proven capable of keeping my word,” he said.
    “Perhaps.” She smiled sweetly and linked her arm with Thorne’s. “Unfortunately, I fear I must postpone our audience. I’m tired after the lovely ride with Lord Thorne.”
    Tired? What type of ride had the baron given her?
    Thorne smirked at Anthony. “Allow me to see you safely inside, my lady.”
    “That is kind of you, sir.”
    Anthony’s jaw dropped when Gabby and Thorne swept past him and disappeared into the house. Dismissed twice in one day? What the hell was going on?
    ***
    Gabby’s stomach fluttered and her knees knocked together—the aftereffects of seeing Anthony again. Her heart had nearly bolted from her body when she and Lord Thorne had driven past the gates to find Anthony waiting in the drive.
    By early afternoon, she hadn’t known whether to believe he would actually come. She hadn’t wanted to sit around any longer hoping he would, so she had accepted the baron’s invitation for a spin around Rotten Row.
    She had been happy to see Anthony at first, but then she’d remembered his promise to kiss her, and it had scared the daylights out of her. When Anthony kissed her, she lost control of everything . Her thoughts, her ability to breathe normally, her hands…
    She almost groaned aloud, recalling how sculpted and firm his buttocks were.
    Lord Thorne glanced down at her. “Is everything all right?”
    “Yes.” She bit her lip and looked around for Wesley. Being alone with Thorne seemed unwise, as if they had an understanding. “Thank you for another lovely afternoon.”
    He took her hands in his. His dark gaze caressed her and he smiled softly. “When will I see you again?”
    “I—” She cleared her throat and eased her hands from his grasp. “I will be at Lady Dewhurst’s musicale tomorrow evening. Perhaps we will cross paths then.”
    There was a troubled flicker in his eyes, but it disappeared so quickly she thought she might have imagined it.
    She suppressed a sigh. Why couldn’t she care about Thorne like he seemed to care for her? He was kind and attentive, and so far, reliable. There was no reason to reject his suit.
    No reason but one.
    “Lord Thorne, I think it’s only fair—”
    “Shh.” He held a finger to her lips. “As you said, we had a lovely time together. Allow me to savor it.”
    He wasn’t making this easy. “But you should be aware—”
    “That I have competition. I understand and I’m undeterred.” He lightly grasped one of her curls to rub between his thumb and finger. “My parents didn’t love each other when they spoke their vows, but a short while later, they were inseparable. Love can grow over time, Lady Gabrielle. And it can be the type to last forever.”
    Love sounded so logical when he spoke of it. And he was correct. Many people married without love, and some grew to care deeply for each other.
    She reached up to hold his hand, hoping he wouldn’t see her move for what it truly was. She wanted him to release her hair.
    “I don’t know if I can become one of those people,” she admitted.
    “You will only find out if you allow me into your life.” He pulled her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “And if you discover you cannot, I will love enough for both of us.”
    Her heart softened. When he looked at her so earnestly, she thought perhaps he really did hold some