Page 54 of The Moonstone Pirate
“No.”
“Oh, but I suppose you don’t want anyone to see what you are doing. Yes, that makes sense. No one should know that you have devised a secret way out. Well, now I know. But I won’t tell a soul—you have my word of honor.”
“Are you quite finished?” He approached her again, his scowl fiercer than she had ever seen.
She licked her lips. “Um…Draco…it isn’t as though I am unfamiliar with this cave. I’ve been in here many times over the years. I—”
She yelped as he lifted her up and hauled her over his shoulder, then marched out of the tunnel, through the cave, onto the beach, and up the cliff steps. Parrot was scampering behind them, panting happily and wagging his tail. Of course, the sweetdog was happy they were all together and thought they were merely having fun.
Imogen felt the sun warm her bottom, which was embarrassingly close to Draco’s face. The slightest turn and his lips would be… She refused to consider where his lips might land. “I am not a sack of potatoes.”
He placed a hand on her bottom. “Be quiet.”
Oh, heavens.This was much worse than a little sunshine beating down on her. “Honestly, Draco! Your behavior is outrageous!”
He laughed heartily, a deep, resounding chortle. “My behavior? You are jesting, aren’t you? I am not the one who trespassed in the cave. Did I not warn you to keep away?”
“You know I was not going to listen to that ridiculous and quite highhanded edict. Speaking of hands, will you kindly remove yours?”
“Stop squirming and I will.”
“Remove it and I will stop squirming.”
He laughed again. “No, you won’t.”
“You should not be hauling me around as though I am a sack of potatoes.”
“If I set you down, will you promise to stay out of the cave?”
“Forevermore? That is quite a Draconian demand.” That would require her to obey him, and she was not about to do that. He had no right to treat her like the enemy and spout unreasonable orders, even if it was his property and he was the earl. Did it not make sense for someone to know what he was doing? Why could it not be her? This was for his own good and his own protection. “We are almost at the top of the stairs. Everyone will see where you have put your hand.”
“That is your problem, not mine,” he muttered.
“You are insufferable.”
“And you are reckless, Butterfly. I do not want you involved in this investigation.”
She stopped struggling and tried to look at him, but all she managed to see was the back of his head and the sinful waves of his dark hair that curled becomingly at his nape. “How is your digging in the cave in any way related to Driscoll’s murder?”
“I’m not answering that.”
“So you are leaving me no choice but to figure it out for myself.” She knew she was riling him, but he was not truly angry with her, because he had called her Butterfly. He did that whenever he felt protective of her.
He set her down beside her easel. “Don’t figure it out, Imogen. Just leave it be.”
He did not sound angry so much as aching and worried for her safety. This made her feel terrible. She really did not wish to be difficult. “Draco, I just want you to be safe.”
“I will be. Do not meddle.” He turned on his heels and strode back down the steps toward the cave.
Parrot had followed them up and now followed Draco back to the cave, his little tail wagging as he pattered behind his master.
Deandra rushed toward her. “Oh, Imogen! Was he furious? I was sure I saw steam shooting from his ears. What did you say to him? What did he do to you? He had you slung over his shoulder… Oh, what a brute! Did you find out anything?”
Imogen kept her gaze on Draco’s retreating form. “No, Deandra. I wasn’t in there long enough to see much. It could have gone worse for me. Your cousin was irritated, but held his temper in check.”
“Except for his hand on your bottom.” Deandra suddenly giggled. “Oh, Imogen. I’m sure he likes you. He would never take such liberties otherwise.”
“Don’t start that again, Deandra. Even if he did like me once, he doesn’t now.” Imogen might have pushed him too far thistime. Yes, she surely had done so. But why did he consider her actions so outrageous? All she had done was walk into a cave she had visited half a dozen times over the course of her summers here.
