Page 71 of Not a Fine Gentleman

“Why such bad blood between you two?”

She hesitated and folded her hands in front of her, then rubbed one arm in a subtle sign of agitation. “He tried to seduce me—on more than one occasion.”

Were all so-called ‘gentlemen’ so selfish with the treatment of the fair sex? It was downright criminal. Margaret certainly seemed to have had more than her share of unpleasantness where men were concerned.

She glanced at him, wearing a sheepish smile. “I was a bit...forceful in my last rejection. He didn’t take too kindly to it, or to me, and has treated me as an enemy ever since. I pity his poor wife.”

“I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough go of it.”

She made a vague gesture out the window. “I don’t suppose it would be wise to go riding or enjoy a walk at the park?”

“I wouldn’t advise it—not until we arrest the killer.”

“One of my brothers could escorts me.” She paused. “Or you?”

“I still don’t advise it. However, if you do go, having someone along for protection would minimize the risk.”

She nodded, then lifted her shoulder in a shrug. “You probably have better things to do than go for a walk at the park.” An unspoken question lay behind her words.

“Nothing would give me more pleasure than escorting you.” Well, he could think of a few things more pleasurable, all of them with Meg, but he shoved those thoughts away.

With a deepening sauciness, Margaret said, “I’m sure.”

“If I may be so bold,” he began.

She laughed. “When have you not been bold with me?”

Quietly, he said, “The moment we returned to London, my lady.”

A thoughtful examination came his way. “Except when you threatened to retrieve that newspaper clipping from my bodice.”

He bit the inside of his cheek to stifle a grin. It had been fun playing the rogue. Of course, he hadn’t really been bluffing. Had he? “That was necessary.”

Her voice softened. “It was easier to forget we live in different worlds when we were traipsing about the countryside, sleeping in barns.”

“I suppose it was.”

“I liked you better then. This formal side of you is a bit disconcerting.”

Stiffly, he said, “It’s proper.”

Laughter brightened her voice as she said, “You, proper? You convinced me you’re no gentleman.”

“It’s because I’m not a gentleman, and you are a lady, that I must keep a certain formality between us.”

She sighed. “I think I’ve had my fill of gentlemen, thank you very much.”

Connor had nothing to say.

“Connor Jackson, where have you gone? I miss the devil-may-care insolence. Surely that Connor cares little for obsequiousness. It doesn’t suit you.”

Her words picked at a sore spot inside, and he said in biting tones, “Fine. Then I’ll boldly tell you that you are foolish to go out into the open while there is a killer at large who vowed to silence you. If you won’t have the good sense to remain indoors or have constant protection, think of your family; they would be grieved if anything happened to you.”

She stepped so close that the sweetness of her perfume toyed with his senses. A vulnerability he’d never seen in her expression gave him pause. She inhaled as if to speak, but closed her mouth instead.

Without consciously thinking, he reached out and touched her cheek, caressing the curve of her face. “And there are many reasons why I wish to keep you safe.” The husky quality of his voice betrayed too much. He dropped his hand and stepped back. “Forgive me. I should never have taken such a liberty.”

Not only did she deserve better than a scrappy, illegitimate working man, but he refused to be a plaything for a lonely widow who would use him and cast him off. He’d made that mistake once before. Never again.