“If I am the princess of trouble then you must be the prince of brawn?”
“I beg your pardon?”
You are hopeless, Selena. Why did you just say that?Retract, retract, retract. “Forget it. I have things to do. Good day, my lord.”
“Wait a minute, Selena.” His gaze stabbed at her, threatening to pierce the veil of her soul. “I cannot just forget that you are searching for a secret club. Why are you searching for such a thing?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters. I’m responsible for your safety.”
“But that is the crux of the matter, is it not? Youaren’tresponsible for me or my safety.”
“Take that up with your brother,” he said simply. “Now, answer my question. Why are you looking for a secret club?”
“To thank them, of course.”
“Thank them for what?”
She smiled and jutted out a leg, pulling at the fabric of her trousers. “For these.”
“Theysupplied these godawful trousers?”
“I believe so.”
“Then you are not sure?”
“There is always margin for error in any assumption.”
“And let me guess—you wish to join this club once you find them?”
“Perhaps.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Is it your life’s goal to send your brother to an early grave?”
“How heart stirring of you to conclude the only reason for me to search for this club is to annoy my brother. But then, given that he is my best and worst attribute, I can hardly blame you for your conjecture.”
He cursed. “Forgive me, I did not mean it that way.”
Selena waved his apology aside. She didn’t need it. Neither did she want his help. That would be a sure way for the man attach himself to her shadow even more. She should never have teased him. That washermistake.
“As I said, I was merely jesting.” She sent him her most cloyingly sweet smile. “Unless you want me to help you find somepeace?”
“Saints, no.”
She kept the corners of her lips hitched up, unwilling to show this jackal any sense of relief. “I suppose I won’t be able to change your mind...”
“Correct.”
“What a pity.”Do not overdo it, Selena.
“No matter what you say, my answer will still be no.”
Well, thank God.
What madness had overcome her to blurt out the existence of the club? Luckily, he had refused her ridiculous teasing. Good fortune had not forsaken her.
Yet.
