Page 26 of Tempting Mr. Townsend
“Mr.Townsend, this serves no purpose. I'm sorry I admitted my…my penchant.”
“I'm not.”
Her eyes narrowed, although unwilling amusement tugged at her lips. “It's like listening to your nephew wheedling to leave Eton. You're incorrigible.”
“I'm enchanted. Stay and get to know me. Get to know Carey. Spend a few stolen days with Brand. I promise I won't put any pressure on you.”
He saw she was tempted. “I can easily take Brand back with me tomorrow.”
“Do you really mean to split the lads up, just because our attraction frightens you?”
“Emotional blackmail won't force me into your bed, sir.”
“Anthony.”
“And I didn't give you permission to call me Fenella.”
“Lady Deerham is a prisoner of her sad past. Fenella, on the other hand, is warm and lovely and within reach.”
“So call me Lady Deerham," she said crossly. “I see why you've succeeded in business. You browbeat your poor customers into submission.”
“Does that mean you consent?”
She drew herself up and ripped her hand from his. “No, it means I'd appreciate the loan of a carriage tomorrow morning so I can return to London and do my best to scotch any talk”
“Will you leave Brand here?”
She regarded him uncertainly. “Common sense says it's best to sever all ties.”
“So Brand pays the price for your cowardice?”
Her expression turned mutinous. “You're doing it again.”
He spread his hands. “I need to use what weapons I have.”
“No, you need to wave the white flag and surrender.”
A pleased smile lifted his lips. “Ah, surrender is such a bonny word.”
Her response was unimpressed. “I shall be frank, Mr. Townsend—”
“Anthony.”
“Mr.Townsend. I shall be frank because you seem incapable of taking a polite no for an answer.”
He snorted. “Polite?”
She ignored him and plowed on. “You're wasting your time pursuing me. I'm devoted to my late husband's memory. Please respect that and ignore my unwise admission of attraction. We met in unusual and dramatic circumstances. Neither of us really knows the other, and I suspect if we'd been introduced in a more prosaic setting, we'd find no particular affinity.”
He bowed shortly. “You're brutally clear, my lady.”
Fleeting regret darkened her eyes, but her delicate jaw set in a stubborn line. “I…I have no wish to change my life—however enticing the incentive.”
He hid a smile. The ruthless tone hadn't lasted long. “I'll call upon you in London.”
“Haven't you heard a word I said?”
“You said you mistrust any link formed in such circumstances. I acknowledge the justice of your doubts—and also that we've known each other a mere day. I shall endeavor to prove that we're attracted because of who we are, and not because we've had too much excitement.”
