“My lady,” Dare spoke up, striding into the room. “What brings you to the halls of my humble home?”
She rose from the sofa and he motioned for her to sit back down, taking a seat of his own. She inclined her head and settled in again. “Humble? Not notorious?”
Dare half-heartedly hooked up the corner of his lips. “If you are looking for a quick tussle, I’m not in the mood.”
Her eyes flashed, unimpressed. “Does common courtesy not mean a thing to you?”
Dare shrugged. “Are you showing me any by calling on me when we’ve not even been introduced?”
“A fair point,” she said, lifting her chin. “I suppose I cannot expect much, given my uninvited presence. So I shall try to match your bluntness.”
“Please do.” Her presence in his house didn’t sit well with him. Any person could draw the wrong conclusion if this visit ever got out.
“Judging from your earlier comment, I presume I’m not the sort of woman you prefer.”
Why the hell would she ask that? “It’s true, I prefer a woman with a bit more color.”
She gave a thoughtful nod. “Like the lady in your scuffle with the bird?”
Mentioning Lady Leonora... interesting. “Quite right. She is the colorful type of bird I prefer.”
The duchess stared at him. “She is aninnocentlady.”
“I’m sure she will be ecstatic at your concern.” Dare cocked his head. “Whyareyou concerned over that lady?”
“My concern is for a young woman who still needs to find a good match, and nothing good will come of Lady Leonora consorting with you.”
How damn presumptuous, madam.Interesting, though, that she knew who Lady Leonora was. Just when he thought the plot couldn’t thicken any more. “Consorting? We are friends.”
A small brow arched. “Friends? You must think I’m a fool.”
“You must think I’m a fool as well, calling on me to warn me off a lady I am well aware you have not met.”
Her jaw flexed, but she remained silent.
“Is this theonlyreason you are here?”
She lifted her chin. “I believe you are also acquainted with Drake Fury.”
Dare crossed one leg over the other. “You already know this.”
She stared him down, and he could not begin to fathom what she might be thinking. The only thing she might not be certain about was whether Drake had his backing or not.
“Yes,” she finally answered. “He is your cousin.”
Dare inclined his head. “Has he done something to offend you?”
“That is between me and him. To put it bluntly, my lord, I’m here to caution you against stepping into my family matters.”
“Is that so?” Dare sat back and rested his hands on his legs. Since Drake hadn’t informed him of the finer details of his strife with the duchess, and Leonora hadn’t informed him of her connection at all, he had only half the knowledge he needed to be carrying on this conversation. It was quite annoying, but he was also intrigued by this visit.
“I trust you understand what I’m asking.”
Not a bloody clue. Was she warning him against the deed Drake wanted or warning him against getting involved with Lady Leonora? “Of course.”
The footman appeared by the door. “My lord, you have another caller.”
Dare glanced at the man. “Who is it this time, Graves?” The pope? Prinny? At this point nothing would surprise him.
