Honestly!
The book flew from her fingers, an impulsive toss aimed at his mighty chest. She didn’t even stop to admire the sight, anger once again flaring at this restful picture. The book, however, had other ideas, and landed just south of where she aimed.
The earl shot up with a grunt-like oath, cupping his nether regions. “Hell and damnation! Who courts death?”
“’Tis I, Selena Savage.”
“Selena?” Her name spat like a curse from his lips. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask the same of you. Has drinking become a new hobby of yours?”
He fell back onto the bed, curling into a ball. “Get out.”
“Why? Have I disturbed yourpeace?”
“I’m not joking, Selena.” He managed a glare through a face contorted in pain. “Your brother already wants to hitch us together. You should have known better than to ever enter my chamber alone in the first place. There is no excuse for entering it a second time unless you came here deliberately looking for trouble.”
“If that is what it takes to make you stop avoiding me, then yes, I’m here to look for trouble.”
“And what about the consequences? Are they not clear enough for you?”
“I shall accept them all.”
“Even when it’s marriage.” His gaze bore into hers. “To me.”
“You and my brother really are entirely too preoccupied with the topic.”
“You are not preoccupied enough,” he shot back.
“Why all this harping on the matter? It’s not like Saville is going to the papers with the news that we kissed. Between us, as long as no word gets out, my reputation remains intact. Also, he will never know I came to your house if you don’t admit to it again.”
“Do you think all servants are tight lipped?”
“You don’t trust your own servants?”
“It’s that I don’t trust human nature. We got lucky once. We might not get lucky again.”
“I thought luck deserted you when you acquired your family curse.” She strode over to the bed, a pinch of sympathy gathering in her breast at the pain he was clearly still feeling. “Does it hurt that much?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.” At his grunt, Selena continued. “You created a list.”
His gaze darkened as it met hers, confirming her suspicion that he would never have told her on his own. “Who told you about that?”
“My brother.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why? Was not the whole point of it for me to find out?”
“No.” He unfurled from his position and finally uncupped his hands fromthat placeto wipe his eyes. “I don’t know. I wasn’t thinking all that much when I created it.”
“But you were thinking of me.”
Silence.
Selena wanted to punch him. “Were you also thinking of me while you were avoiding me this past week? Or were you just thinking about yourself and all the peace of mind my absence would bring you?”
A grumble. “Both.”
“Really? Then why does it feel like you are not telling the whole truth?”
