Page 43 of It's All About the Duke
Rath felt a twitch between his shoulder blades. He wondered again if she might have designs on the men. That irritated him, and made him ask, “Did it dawn on you that I might have more important things to do with my time than chase down gentlemen for you? Such as taking care of problems and issues that arise with my lands, tenants, and businesses. Meetings with members of Parliament who are forever seeking my favor as well as my advice and a host of other things.”
“Including a card game or two, several rounds of billiards I’m sure, and a few tankards of ale at White’s or some other club that is happy to have your membership no doubt,” she said tartly.
Oh, she was quick and tempting beyond what he thought possible. Rath folded his arms across his chest and smiled. He liked that she refused to be intimidated by him.
“That, too,” he agreed.
“And truth be told,” she added, obviously not enjoying the conversation as much as he was, “I never expected you would go searching for the particulars yourself but have someone do it for you.”
Which is exactly what he did. “What is your reason for wanting this information?”
She remained silent. The breeze blew through his hair and fluttered the ribbons under her chin. She pushed herhat farther up her forehead, and a golden-red strand of hair fell from underneath it. The sun made it shimmer as if it were winking at him, enticing him to touch it.
Without thinking, he asked, “Are you interested in making a match between yourself and Buckland or Wentfield?”
“What?” she gasped. “That’s absurd. Of course not. I’ve never met either man. They could both be married for all I know about them.”
The passion in her voice and expression of denial on her face told him she was being truthful. Her answer pleased him and he asked, “Then why?”
Rath received only silence from her again, but he could tell she was thinking seriously. But what about? Was she thinking to continue eluding his questions or saying less than the truth?
“If you don’t tell me, Miss Fast, I can refuse to give you the information. I saw the gleam in your eyes. You’re most eager to get your hands on these articles.”
“I am. Why would I ask for it otherwise, Your Grace?” She inhaled a long deep breath and then folded her arms across her chest. “I suppose there’s no reason I can’t tell you, except for the fact it’s not my story to divulge. But if I make you aware of this problem, you must promise to stay quiet about it.”
That surprised him. “Imuststay quiet about it?” That word,must, didn’t sit well with Rath. “You certainly demand a lot for someone who is at my mercy.”
“Perhaps that’s because you are a troublesome guardian and I must strive to continually be a step ahead of you.”
She had more pluck than the King’s army, but he supposed she’d have to have been strong to have followed five boys around a country estate before the age of ten. “I do appreciate the fact you don’t mind your words whenyou are talking to me. Apparently, Mr. Olingworth never asked you any questions about the things you wanted him to obtain for you.”
“He trusted me.”
Rath nodded. “So do I, but I’m also curious. Perhaps we would work well together on this if you were only trying to stay equal with me rather than ahead of me.”
She tapped her foot, Tut wandered away, and Rath waited. He didn’t mind that she was taking her time to think it over. It not only showed courage, but showed strength and intelligence, too. And it showed him she was a lady to be regarded for her abilities.
“All right,” she finally said, her eyebrows furrowing. “I want to know what Mr. Buckland and Mr. Wentfield have to say about Megalosaurus eggs.”
“What in the hell—”fire, he finished silently, as Marlena’s brows shot up in surprise.
Chapter 12
He could be a rake if all he has to do to seduce you is look into your eyes.
MISSHONORATRUTH’SWORDS OFWISDOMANDWARNINGABOUTRAKES, SCOUNDRELS, ROGUES, ANDLIBERTINES
Rath truly had to watch his language more closely around her and try to be more gentlemanly as his father would have expected him to do. Most of the women he had extended conversations with didn’t mind if ahellordamnationor two slipped past his lips—or any other disrespectful words for that matter.
“What kind of eggs are they?”
“Fossilized eggs from a gigantic reptile that once roamed the earth—thousands of years ago.”
Rath eyed her carefully. She seemed to be serious about what she was saying. “I’ve not seen or heard of this reptile, and there’s no mention of it in the papers I have.”
“I would hope you haven’t seen one.” A smile twitched her lips. “I’d hate to think we had a creature that large walking the earth today but are you sure there’s no mention of it?”
“I’ve read every word.”
