impulse on his part. All this thinking about something that to him probably counted for nothing at all, and which he’d doubtless already dismissed from his mind, made her head spin.
Lord Denver had been right to suggest other gentlemen had tried to kiss her over the years. Lord Wilsden’s younger son, Charles, had twice done so just last year, but that hadn’t made her fizz. Being embraced by Charles was about as passionate as being caught in a violent rainstorm. Abbey shuddered. Charles engendered no feelings of tenderness within her breast and his attempts to convince her otherwise had been an embarrassment to them both.
Before she’d left Cornwall Lord Evans had called to bid her farewell, even though he too was making his way to town. Left alone with her for a few minutes, he’d surprised Abbey by deviating from his formal manners, kissing first her gloved hand and then pulling her into his arms and capturing her lips. Although more efficiently executed than Charles’s efforts, it had still left Abbey feeling unmoved, only adding to her conviction that romantic attachments were overrated.
Abbey belatedly understood that ignorance had been bliss since Lord Denver, with one practised embrace, had called her firmly held opinion on the matter into question. She was quite out of charity with him because, obviously, he was amusing herself by deliberately toying with her affections. Not that he would succeed. Duty was her byword and she had no intention of allowing her head to be turned by an accomplished rogue with handsome features, a rather impressive body, and quite disgustingly compelling charm.
***
Sebastian arrived at their rendezvous in the park early and seated himself on a bench which afforded him a clear view of the walk in both directions. As he’d predicted, it was completely deserted. Fashionable people came to the park to be seen, not to lurk in this quiet backwater.
He’d been sitting for just a few minutes when Lady Abigail came into his line of sight. Two enormous dogs bounded ahead of her, pulling at the ends of their leashes, and the same maid as before scurried along beside her. Sebastian stood as she neared him, approving of the fact that she’d again taken the precaution to shroud herself in a concealing cloak.
“Good morning. I trust you didn’t experience too much difficulty in getting away?’
“Actually it was surprisingly easy.” She pulled her dogs back, ineffective in her efforts to prevent them from leaping up at Sebastian. “Down, Marcus. Leave it, Marius.” The dogs ignored her command and continued introducing themselves. “These are my collies. I’m afraid they’re rather lively just at the moment, and more than a little disgruntled. You see, they’re accustomed to having freedom to roam the estate in Cornwall and take great exception to being leashed.”
“Collies?” Sebastian raised a brow as he scratched the ears of first one distinctly non-pedigree dog and then the other.
“Yes well, perhaps they’re not pure-bred collies, but they don’t know that and I don’t want to offend them by mentioning it in their hearing. They were going to be drowned as puppies because no one wanted them.” Anger flashed through her remarkable eyes. “Their lineage is hardly their fault, and they were so adorable I simply couldn’t permit that to happen.”
“They’re fine beasts.”
“I agree. And don’t forget Marcus repaid my faith in him by saving my life on that rope bridge.”
“So he did.” Sebastian smiled at her fierce loyalty toward her unlikely-looking pets. “Perhaps you maid could take charge of them while we discuss our business.”
“Certainly.”
“Now then, what information have you managed to compile for me?” he asked, watching the maid struggling to remain on her feet as the boisterous beasts dragged her in the direction of nearby bushes.
Chapter Five
Abbey produced her list from her reticule. “I’ve made it as comprehensive as possible
Lord Denver had been right to suggest other gentlemen had tried to kiss her over the years. Lord Wilsden’s younger son, Charles, had twice done so just last year, but that hadn’t made her fizz. Being embraced by Charles was about as passionate as being caught in a violent rainstorm. Abbey shuddered. Charles engendered no feelings of tenderness within her breast and his attempts to convince her otherwise had been an embarrassment to them both.
Before she’d left Cornwall Lord Evans had called to bid her farewell, even though he too was making his way to town. Left alone with her for a few minutes, he’d surprised Abbey by deviating from his formal manners, kissing first her gloved hand and then pulling her into his arms and capturing her lips. Although more efficiently executed than Charles’s efforts, it had still left Abbey feeling unmoved, only adding to her conviction that romantic attachments were overrated.
Abbey belatedly understood that ignorance had been bliss since Lord Denver, with one practised embrace, had called her firmly held opinion on the matter into question. She was quite out of charity with him because, obviously, he was amusing herself by deliberately toying with her affections. Not that he would succeed. Duty was her byword and she had no intention of allowing her head to be turned by an accomplished rogue with handsome features, a rather impressive body, and quite disgustingly compelling charm.
***
Sebastian arrived at their rendezvous in the park early and seated himself on a bench which afforded him a clear view of the walk in both directions. As he’d predicted, it was completely deserted. Fashionable people came to the park to be seen, not to lurk in this quiet backwater.
He’d been sitting for just a few minutes when Lady Abigail came into his line of sight. Two enormous dogs bounded ahead of her, pulling at the ends of their leashes, and the same maid as before scurried along beside her. Sebastian stood as she neared him, approving of the fact that she’d again taken the precaution to shroud herself in a concealing cloak.
“Good morning. I trust you didn’t experience too much difficulty in getting away?’
“Actually it was surprisingly easy.” She pulled her dogs back, ineffective in her efforts to prevent them from leaping up at Sebastian. “Down, Marcus. Leave it, Marius.” The dogs ignored her command and continued introducing themselves. “These are my collies. I’m afraid they’re rather lively just at the moment, and more than a little disgruntled. You see, they’re accustomed to having freedom to roam the estate in Cornwall and take great exception to being leashed.”
“Collies?” Sebastian raised a brow as he scratched the ears of first one distinctly non-pedigree dog and then the other.
“Yes well, perhaps they’re not pure-bred collies, but they don’t know that and I don’t want to offend them by mentioning it in their hearing. They were going to be drowned as puppies because no one wanted them.” Anger flashed through her remarkable eyes. “Their lineage is hardly their fault, and they were so adorable I simply couldn’t permit that to happen.”
“They’re fine beasts.”
“I agree. And don’t forget Marcus repaid my faith in him by saving my life on that rope bridge.”
“So he did.” Sebastian smiled at her fierce loyalty toward her unlikely-looking pets. “Perhaps you maid could take charge of them while we discuss our business.”
“Certainly.”
“Now then, what information have you managed to compile for me?” he asked, watching the maid struggling to remain on her feet as the boisterous beasts dragged her in the direction of nearby bushes.
Chapter Five
Abbey produced her list from her reticule. “I’ve made it as comprehensive as possible
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