bold, may I inquire who Giles has chosen to be your husband?”
Angelica abandoned her half-finished tart. Pushing back her chair, she walked to the mullioned window. Lifting the latch, she pushed it open, needing the fresh air before responding, “Baron Paden.”
While Richard had never met the man, Paden’s ability to invest wisely was well known throughout the ton, where the gentleman had been dubbed Lord Midas. In the eyes of Society, Angel’s marriage would have been considered an advantageous one.
Before Richard could comment, Angelica added, “You, no doubt, are acquainted with him from your work in the House of Lords.”
For the first time in his life, Richard was embarrassed by his lack of adherence to his duties. Angel naively assumed he’d properly attended to the business of government inherent with a title, while in fact he’ d been otherwise amusing himself as he always had since coming to Town.
Irritated to have a mirror held up to his faults, he turned his anger on the one who held the looking glass. Rising, he walked over to stand opposite her. “So, you shun this alliance with one of England’s wealthiest lords in favor of what? A life on your own, doing good works and dwindling into spinsterhood, living with that hatchet-faced Miss Parks.”
Angelica was certain he was angry with her, but she hadn’t a clue why. Tilting her chin upward, she said, “I shall receive a small income from my late father’s estate when I am one and twenty in October. I see nothing wrong with settling in a small cottage in the country and doing as I please, my lord.”
Richard took a step closer. “Do you think Miss Parks or some other poor female could protect you from the advances of any passing rogue?” So saying, he slid an arm around her waist and drew her to him. Her heart pounding, Angelica ordered in a hoarse whisper, “Unhand me, sir.”
Amber eyes gazed into hers. In a ragged voice, Richard said, “You need a man to protect you, Angel. You are too beautiful for your own good.” He then lowered his mouth to hers.
His lips were punishing and angry, yet she found herself responding. A shiver of desire raced through her and she wanted him never to stop, but suddenly he released her, stepping back to stare curiously at her as if they’d never met.
“You see what can happen to innocent young ladies without a proper protector,” Richard growled breathlessly. He turned away from her and ran his hands through his auburn hair, leaving it tousled like a small boy’s. “We shall travel through the night. I must have the hood raised on the curricle for it is likely to rain. Be ready in ten minutes.”
He stalked from the room without a backward glance.
Angelica stood by the window, her fingers tracing her still throbbing lips. She was certain Richard had kissed her to convince her to marry Lord Paden, but the embrace had had the opposite effect. The very idea of such sweet intimacy with the baron sent a shudder down her spine.
Her thoughts on her old friend were in such turmoil she couldn’t clearly define them. All she knew was that as long as Richard intended to force her to go back to Edenfield, she would try to escape him, no matter her feelings.
With that thought settled in her mind, she went to prepare herself for their journey.
They traveled through the dark August night with only the carriage lanterns for illumination. With each successive town, fewer windows radiated light as the hour drew near midnight. A soft rain had begun to fall within an hour of their taking to the road, and with each mile they traveled south the storm had increased. Their pace dwindled to a plodding walk on the now muddy road.
A strained silence existed between the pair. On Richard’s part, the lack of conversation was due to his anger at his own conduct at the inn. He’d had no business kissing Angel, even less enjoying it as much as he had. Undoubtedly, she thought him an unremitting cad. But then, hadn’t he
Angelica abandoned her half-finished tart. Pushing back her chair, she walked to the mullioned window. Lifting the latch, she pushed it open, needing the fresh air before responding, “Baron Paden.”
While Richard had never met the man, Paden’s ability to invest wisely was well known throughout the ton, where the gentleman had been dubbed Lord Midas. In the eyes of Society, Angel’s marriage would have been considered an advantageous one.
Before Richard could comment, Angelica added, “You, no doubt, are acquainted with him from your work in the House of Lords.”
For the first time in his life, Richard was embarrassed by his lack of adherence to his duties. Angel naively assumed he’d properly attended to the business of government inherent with a title, while in fact he’ d been otherwise amusing himself as he always had since coming to Town.
Irritated to have a mirror held up to his faults, he turned his anger on the one who held the looking glass. Rising, he walked over to stand opposite her. “So, you shun this alliance with one of England’s wealthiest lords in favor of what? A life on your own, doing good works and dwindling into spinsterhood, living with that hatchet-faced Miss Parks.”
Angelica was certain he was angry with her, but she hadn’t a clue why. Tilting her chin upward, she said, “I shall receive a small income from my late father’s estate when I am one and twenty in October. I see nothing wrong with settling in a small cottage in the country and doing as I please, my lord.”
Richard took a step closer. “Do you think Miss Parks or some other poor female could protect you from the advances of any passing rogue?” So saying, he slid an arm around her waist and drew her to him. Her heart pounding, Angelica ordered in a hoarse whisper, “Unhand me, sir.”
Amber eyes gazed into hers. In a ragged voice, Richard said, “You need a man to protect you, Angel. You are too beautiful for your own good.” He then lowered his mouth to hers.
His lips were punishing and angry, yet she found herself responding. A shiver of desire raced through her and she wanted him never to stop, but suddenly he released her, stepping back to stare curiously at her as if they’d never met.
“You see what can happen to innocent young ladies without a proper protector,” Richard growled breathlessly. He turned away from her and ran his hands through his auburn hair, leaving it tousled like a small boy’s. “We shall travel through the night. I must have the hood raised on the curricle for it is likely to rain. Be ready in ten minutes.”
He stalked from the room without a backward glance.
Angelica stood by the window, her fingers tracing her still throbbing lips. She was certain Richard had kissed her to convince her to marry Lord Paden, but the embrace had had the opposite effect. The very idea of such sweet intimacy with the baron sent a shudder down her spine.
Her thoughts on her old friend were in such turmoil she couldn’t clearly define them. All she knew was that as long as Richard intended to force her to go back to Edenfield, she would try to escape him, no matter her feelings.
With that thought settled in her mind, she went to prepare herself for their journey.
They traveled through the dark August night with only the carriage lanterns for illumination. With each successive town, fewer windows radiated light as the hour drew near midnight. A soft rain had begun to fall within an hour of their taking to the road, and with each mile they traveled south the storm had increased. Their pace dwindled to a plodding walk on the now muddy road.
A strained silence existed between the pair. On Richard’s part, the lack of conversation was due to his anger at his own conduct at the inn. He’d had no business kissing Angel, even less enjoying it as much as he had. Undoubtedly, she thought him an unremitting cad. But then, hadn’t he
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