That earned a slight twitch at the corner of his lips. “Are you saying that you are the solution to my problem that is you?”
“Exactly.”
Dark eyes studied her. They almost appeared to be brooding with dissatisfaction. “I shall pass.”
Selena wanted to laugh at his pinched expression. The urge to tease him heated a degree. “Are you sure? You seem to be in dire need of a few hours of mental repose. I can help you achieve a moment of peace in exchange for your help in finding what I’msearching for.” Two beats of silence. “Are you not going to ask what I’m searching for?”
“I believe it’s best not to know.” He even took a step back from her. “For my peace of mind, you understand.”
“How disappointing. I had just the thing in mind to relieve some of your stress.”
His gaze turned dubious. “Now I’m terrified.”
“But interested.”
His eyes narrowed, and she laughed. The man looked so put out, she had half the mind to pinch his cheeks.
“What are you searching for, Lady Selena? Tell me before I change my mind.”
She grinned at him. “Promise not to tell my brother.”
“I give you my word.”
“Not even the slightest hesitation.” She considered the man before her. “Are you certain you will not tell my brother?”
“I gave you my word, didn’t I?”
“I thought you were terrified.”
“You’ve prickled my curiosity.”
She hadn’t even meant to secure his help. Didn’twanthis help. That would be a disaster. This man had been nothing but an obstacle in her way thus far. Always following her. Always in her way. Today was a perfect example.
And yet, the words left her before she could retract her tongue. “A secret women’s club.”
His face turned as blank as a sheet of paper. “A what?”
How can a tone say absolutely everything yet nothing at all?More importantly, Selena, why did you say that?But the command to be silent was further lost somewhere between her mind and her mouth. “What do you mean ‘what’?”
“I’m certain I heardsecret woman’s club.”
“You heard wrong.”
“I heard right.” He took a step closer. “You said a secret women’s club.”
She arched a brow. “Well, if that is what you heard, then that is what I must have said.”
He stared at her. “I . . . have . . . no words.”
She glanced back and forth. Save me, someone! Theo! She needed to rescue herself from her own treacherous mouth! Her mind raced.In times of desperation, turn the tables. “Phineas North, the Earl of Warrick, is rendered speechless. How marvelous.”
Did that sound a bit too forced?
“How is that marvelous?”
Not too much, then. She shrugged. “I cannot say. It’s just afeelingthat buds from within. Also, I was merely jesting earlier. I’d rather not join hands with a jackal.”
“Calling me a jackal when you are the princess of trouble seems rather pointless.”
