Page 31 of The Highlander's English Bride

“Really? You agreed to meet me in the park the other morning. By yourself.”

“I brought my maid, in fact. And might I add thatyounever showed up.”

Immediately, she wished she could recall her stupid words. Because of course he would assume she was annoyed that he’d stood her up.

The flash of his white smile confirmed that.

After spinning on her heel, she marched along the balustrade until she was near the first set of open doors. Then she turned to face him and practically jumped out of her dancing slippers. He loomed so close he was virtually on top of her.

Snapping open her fan, Sabrina inserted it between them.

“That’s why you’ve been so cool to me,” he said. “You’re annoyed that I failed to meet you. I simply assumed you wouldn’t show, given the dreary weather that morning. Clearly an error on my part.”

When he leaned in closer, she slid sideways. “Not true at all, sir.”

He let out a dramatic sigh while eyeing her breasts. “What a fool I was not to anticipate such innocent eagerness.”

“It was not eagerness but stupidity. And please cease looming over me in that annoying fashion.”

The marquess studied her for a moment before stepping back. “It seems I have behaved unforgivably on two counts. First, by suggesting that we meet privately. And then, even worse, by failing to appear.”

“I am most grateful that you failed to show.”

“Of course, you’re concerned about rumors of scandal,” he said. “Your father would be quite shocked. He might even think you have designs on me.” His smile turned lewd. “Lucky me.”

“That is a disgusting suggestion,” she indignantly replied.

Cringlewood suddenly plucked the fan from her hand. “You’re growing rather heated, darling. Why don’t you let me fan you?”

Sabrina yanked the fan back. The conversation wasnotproceeding as anticipated.

“Sir, if you do not step away, I will scream.”

He seemed genuinely surprised for a moment. Then his gaze turned chilly. “I do not take kindly to foolish games, my dear. One wonders why you invited me out here in the first place.”

“Not to flirt or encourage unwelcome attentions, I assure you.”

“I see. Then you’ll forgive me if I excuse myself. But do not think I will forget your shabby treatment, my lady.” He flicked her a contemptuous glance before turning to leave.

“I know what sort of man you are, Lord Cringlewood,” she flung after him. “Now, you will leave town, or I will make sure others know, too.”

He spun around. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”

“You abuse women and take advantage of them. I intend to stop that.”

He stared blankly at her for a moment before barking out a harsh laugh. “Ah, Kendrick was gabble-mongering, I see. Well, my girl, I was the injured party in that affair. Ainsley Kendrick is little better than a whore, and her husband is a grub who was only after her fortune.”

She shook her head. “You are positively delusional, Lord Cringlewood.”

“No, you’re delusional if you think anyone will believe such nonsense. Althoughyouaccepted the tale readily enough.” His lips curled into a sneer. “I begin to wonder about your relationship with that Highland moron. Perhaps Lady Sabrina is not so innocent as she would like the world to believe.”

Sabrina had to swallow her anger before she could reply. “You are a vile man, and I will do whatever I must to make sure everyone knows it.”

“I think not. I can ruin your reputation in an instant, just like I can ruin Lady Ainsley’s. In fact, I will enjoy doing exactly that.”

“AndIwill be having a chat with the king about your disgusting conduct. Perhaps you have forgotten that His Majesty is my godparent, and that my father is one of his oldest friends? You will no longer be welcome at Court or anywhere else once I am finished with you.”

The marquess stood like a block of marble, as if fused to the flagstones. But his eyes blazed with hatred.

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