She frowned into her coffee cup. He misinterpreted her gesture. “Thank God you’re ready to send that imperious young gentleman back to the wilds of northern England or was it Scotland? It was a foolish and dangerous game you played, Hetty. Just thinking about all you did at least all you did that I know about makes my belly cramp. Now, at least, you may again don your skirts and leave me to do the hunting.”
It was the stupidest thing he could have said.
She eyed him with dangerous calm. “Ah, let me understand you, your grace. You mean that it is time for the real gentleman to search out the truth? The lady will return to her proper place, simpering and serving tea?”
He was annoyed and yet, at the same time, rather pleased to see the vinegar back in her. It must mean she was feeling much better. How to get himself out of this hole? His offer wasn’t meant to offend. He was being just as he should be. He said easily, “Naturally you will return where you belong. I said nothing of simpering and serving tea. However, I can’t now see you donning your breaches again and prancing off to White’s or to Lady Buxtell’s, for God’s sake.”
“Prance? Why, I believe you should go directly to the devil.”
“We aren’t even lovers yet and already we’re arguing. What did you say? You want me to do what?”
“Go to the devil,” she said again, stressing each word. She saw a muscle twitch in his jaw. “If I wish to remain Lord Harry and button up my breeches, I won’t ask your permission or anyone else’s. You have absolutely no authority over me, and I shall do exactly as I please.” She frowned at her clasped hands. “Well, perhaps that was a bit too strong. As you said, we’re not lovers yet and here we are arguing. I don’t want to argue with you, but I won’t let you just step in and take over everything. Damien was my brother. I owe it to him to find out the truth and that is what I must try to do.”
“Damnation,” he said, and skimmed his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end, “I don’t want to understand you, but you always seem to force me to. In this instance though I must stand firm. I won’t allow you to ever return as Lord Harry to society. That I can stop, and I will if you try it. We will simply have to come up with another idea, but no more Lord Harry. It’s away from London with that young gentleman.”
“I’ll think about it, that’s all I can promise. Could you come here and kiss me, Jason? Perhaps it will clear my head.”
He didn’t hesitate. He looked at her pale face, framed by blond curls that tumbled over her ears. She looked young and innocent and very clever. She also looked very interested in him. He pulled her to him and kissed her. “Open your mouth,” he said, his breath warm against her flesh. She did and was thoroughly distracted.
“Oh, that’s very nice. Can I have some more?”
“If you promise you won’t do anything in the future without discussing it with me first.”
She thought about it long and hard, and he thought, he should have kissed her more thoroughly, made her more urgent, for he’d not awakened enough passion in her and now that very smart brain of hers was working at full speed.
He tried arrogance, knowing that would bring her back to him quickly enough, and with a good deal of annoyance, he imagined. “I’ve saved you, Henrietta, saved both of us from a scandal that would have been at the top of the gossips’ list for a good six months were it to become known that you, a gently bred lady, had charaded as a young man and challenged me to a duel. Will you admit that I have done well so far?”
“I’m alive and that’s good. Other than that, I have only your word for the rest of it. For example, maybe this sister of yours doesn’t even exist.”