“I have faith in his abilities, and I trust that people kneel to his title.” She sent a meaningful glance at the door. “Even when the reverence is slow in coming.”
“I have a title, too.”
She grinned at him. “Yes, you do.” She leaned closer to whisper in his ear. “I might kneel for you.”
Warrick groaned. Inside, his heart hammered.
“I can hear you,” Saville said, his voice dry as dust. He glared at the two of them. “Untie me. Now. So that I can escape this torture.”
“I don’t mind if you hear us.” She pinched Warrick’s chin between her fingers and gave him her full attention. “You said I must take responsibility.”
Warrick’s whole body erupted in goose flesh. “I did.” His voice came out hoarse.
She lowered and fiddled the ropes, slowly undoing that woman’s handiwork. The moment his legs were free and she stood up again, he stretched his legs out to capture hers, pulling her to him. With a gasp, she tumbled onto his lap. He grinned. “Reach around me to untie my hands, as well.”
“What the hell I am seeing?” Saville muttered.
She laughed. “Why, I am merely untying Warrick.”
“You better not untie me at all. God, I’ve chills all over my body.”
Warrick ignored the man, his eyes only on Selena. “You said something about taking responsibility.”
She nodded. “Yes, I am taking responsibility for you and, since we now find us in such a compromising position, I demand that we marry.”
“What changed your mind?” Warrick asked. Every limb was screaming from being tied for so long, and yet all he wanted to do was pounce on Selena and claim every last breath she had.
“Idid.” She laughed with a short shake of her head. “Who am I? I am Selena Savage. I’m a woman that follows her heart. It simply occurred to me that I can never be stuck in my brother’s shadow as his sister or your shadow as your wife. I am just too brilliant for shadows.” She leaned close to him, their lips almost touching. “So, you must marry me. And I will need your answer soon.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I’ll demand your reason.”
“I’m holding out for love.” Warrick’s voice went gruff. “I’ll only marry for love.”
“You are in luck. I’ll only marry for love, too.” She grinned at him, her hands all over his chest. “Riches, titles, the world is mine to claim, Phineas. Will you join me?”
Did she even need to ask? “Hell, yes.”
“Thank God,” Saville said from the side. “Now can you please untie me so that I can cast up my accounts elsewhere in peace?”
Selena glared at her brother. “You are ruining this moment for me.”
“You shouldn’t be having this moment here, with us being tied, in a brothel!”
Warrick freed her from his legs so that she could unfasten his hands. The moment they were loose, he slowly rose from the chair, his bones cracking as he stretched out his arms and legs. He didn’t waste any time. In one smooth motion, he hoisted her into his arms and strode to the door. “Your brother is right. A brothel is no place for a lady.”
“What about me?” Saville called out after them from his chair. “A brothel is no place for a gentleman, either!”
“I’m sorry, old chap, bear it a bit longer.”
“You cannot be serious!”
“I will send one of the women of the establishment to you soon,” Warrick tossed over his shoulder.
“You blackguard! Who is to say what might happen to me?”
Warrick stepped from the room and quickened his pace to leave that bellowing voice behind.
