Page 38 of Heiress Gone Wild

“Given his actions thus far, I’d say my initial assessment of him was quite valid.”

She made a scoffing sound. “Why? Because he had the baroness change a few place settings the other night and helped me pick up my things after an accidental collision?”

Jonathan’s jaw tightened to that stubborn line she was coming to know so well. “It was no accident. I warned you he’d try to get you alone.”

“He didn’t ‘get me alone,’ as you put it. Iwasalone. But nothing happened. He made no advances upon me, if that’s what you fear. He was a perfect gentleman, which is more than I can say for you. Tell me, is this sort of behavior what I can expect from you regarding all my suitors?”

“Suitors?” he scoffed, ignoring the accusation she’d just leveled at him. “De la Rosa’s no suitor. Courtship is the last thing on his mind.”

“He wants to win my hand. At least, that’s what you told me you overheard him saying to the baroness the other night.”

“I also said that he has no intention of winning it in honorable fashion, a fact made clear by his actions today.”

“Oh, for the love of heaven, we were just talk—”

She stopped as a door opened farther down the corridor, and she realized it was unwise to have a full-throated argument about this in a place where anyone could hear them. Leaning forward, she grabbed Jonathan by his necktie with her free hand and stepped back through the doorway, hauling him with her before he could even think to stop her.

“What the hell?” he muttered as she let him go, ducked around him, and shut the door, flattening her back against it and trapping them both inside. “What are you doing?”

“That was my question, one you still haven’t answered. Is eavesdropping, skulking in corridors, spying on me, assaulting my friends—is all this going to be a habit with you? If so, I will be ecstatic when you sail off for Africa.”

“That man is not your friend. And I was not skulking, nor spying. I was having tea at the other end of the promenade, reading my paper and minding my own business, when I saw you go by. A moment later, the count passed me, following you, and I knew something was in the wind.”

“You can’t possibly be certain he was following me.”

“Yes, I can. He has no business being in this corridor. His cabin’s all the way at the other end of A-deck, on the port side.”

“How do you know that?”

“I made inquiries.”

She rolled her eyes, not the least bit surprised. “He was exploring the ship and got lost. He told me that himself.”

“Lost, my eye. He was looking for a chance to get you alone. If I hadn’t come along, what could have happened? What would you have done if he’d decided to push in?”

“Push in?” She was shocked. “Into my rooms?”

“Yes, into your rooms, my sweet innocent.”

Such a notion had never even occurred to her, and it seemed hardly credible to her that a man like the Count de la Rosa, a handsome man of position and prestige who could clearly have any woman he wanted, would attempt something so despicable. He wasn’t a common masher or thug, and except for perhaps holding her hand a little too long, his behavior toward her had been impeccable.

“Think about it, Marjorie,” he said in the wake of her silence. “How simple for him to persuade or even force his way into your room, having arranged for the baroness to come in after him at just the right moment—”

“The baroness would never cooperate in such a despicable scheme. And anyway, isn’t she on your side now?”

“That woman is on whatever side will pay her the most money, and the count may have upped the stakes enough to regain her loyalty. But if you don’t believe her capable of colluding with him, there’s his own mother to consider. She wouldn’t be the first matchmaking mama to swoop in and demand honor be satisfied.”

“The only one who’s done any swooping isyou.”

“Or if he delayed you long enough,” Jonathan went on as if she hadn’t spoken, “it’s quite possible Lady Stansbury could have come in search of you and found him with you in her suite. Whichever scenario was in his devious mind, the result would be an enormous scandal, and you’d have to marry the blackguard.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“As your guardian, it is my duty to ensure that you are safeguarded at all times. I swore to your father—”

“The way you’re acting,” she cut in, completely exasperated, “anyone would think youweremy father!”

“What?” He stared at her for a moment, then he gave a laugh, and though she had no idea what he found amusing, she wasn’t about to stop and ponder the question, for she had a lot more to say.

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