“Especially the thorns,” Romy answered.
“Seems fitting. After all, you are not without your own.”
Granby’s lips were full and sensual, much more noticeable when he wasn’t scowling. Consumed with observing his mouth, Romy at first didn’t acknowledge the thinly veiled insult.
Dragging her gaze from his lips, she drew herself up. “I have a preference for roses because, despite their looks, they are surprisingly hardy. Though I suppose if a rose dared to defy you, Your Grace, you would instruct your gardener to rip the entire bush out by the roots.Sacked, as it were.”
It was gratifying to see the slight flare of his nostrils as her words hit their mark.
Point in my favor.
“I must confess, Lady Andromeda, I am relieved to find you.”
“Are you?” He was standing much too close to her, the breeze shifting. She caught the scent of trees and shaving soap as a delicious heat wafted off his much larger body in her direction, tendrils caressing against the tops of her breasts and across her arms.
“Relieved?” The word was unsteady on her lips.
“You very nearly disappeared after rounding a cluster of hawthorn bushes. My gardeners could easily have mistaken you as ashruband accidentally wielded their pruning shears in your direction. It would have ruined the house party.” He tilted his head to peer down at her. “And your dress.”
Romy had the distinct impression that he was admiring her bosom, a curious sensation which sent another ripple of heat down her body. “I doubt I was ever in any danger,” she said through her teeth. “I’m sure yourstaffis quite observant.” Not bothering to add the implication that Granby himself was not.
“I must ask, Lady Andromeda.” The silky rumble drifted over her skin. “Are you angry with me because I thought you a servant at Madame Dupree’s or that I asked to have you sacked for your impudence?”
“That? I’d forgotten all about your arrogant behavior that day, putting it from my mind as I do most things which I find unpleasant.”
His beautiful lips disappeared into another scowl.
Romy should bid him good day and return to the terrace. It was poor form to stand and throw petty insults at her host, but she seemed unable to help herself. Granby was such a deserving target. One that sent her pulse racing with his very presence.
“I picture you marching about different establishments,” she continued. “Ordering the proprietors to dismiss their loyal employees for any minor infraction you deem offensive.”
“You are the most annoying creature I’ve ever met,” he said in a casual tone. “You’ve not an ounce of self-preservation in addition to your other arrogant, insulting behavior.”
Romy hissed, preparing a scathing speech with which to bring him low, but when she glanced up at him, there was no chilly dismissal as he looked at her. Not a hint of disdain. Instead, his eyes resembled the embers of a fire which had burned for hours, full of banked heat.
“You weren’t angry about my arrogance,” he murmured softly as the ebony locks of his hair danced against his cheek, buffeted by the breeze. “At least, not completely.”
“I wasn’t?” Romy found it difficult to breathe as it seemed Granby had sucked up all the available air around her.
“You were upset, Lady Andromeda,” he leaned down from his great height, the scent of pine, leather and trees invading her nose, “because you didn’t think I remembered you from Lady Masterson’s garden party.”
The buttons of his coat were mere inches from her. If he moved, even slightly, he would brush the tips of her breasts.
Romy told herself to step away from him, but her feet refused to move, shocked by his words.
“But I do remember you.” His voice grew husky. And annoyed.Veryannoyed. “You are hard to forget.” The dark gaze dropped to her lips. “Impossible, it seems.”
“You should seek a new valet,” she stuttered, horrified to find her nipples were growing taut beneath the fabric of her dress.
“Should I, my lady?”
Her mouth must be fascinating. Granby hadn’t taken his eyes from her lips.
“Your hair touches the collar of your coat,” Romy said, wincing at the outlandish and improper observation.
“What a thing for you to notice, my lady.” A hungry look crossed his face, his gaze dipping to her breasts again before returning to her mouth.
Attraction, powerful and sharp, spiraled into the small space separating their bodies. It sparked between them like tiny bolts of lightning releasing from a summer storm, the force of it sending a shiver down to Romy’s toes.
