A Scandalous Proposal by Kasey Michaels Page B

pair,” she admitted once he’d gone around the equipage and boosted himself onto the seat.
    His look was nearly comical. “I beg your pardon?”
    â€œThe bays are lovely, perfectly matched,” she expounded further, wondering if the baron had possibly drunk away his afternoon. It wouldn’t do well for either of them if she had to explain everything twice. “You haven’t been drinking, have you?”
    â€œIf I have, clearly not enough. Shall we be off?”
    â€œI suppose so. The sooner we’re off, the sooner we’re back, which should please you enormously.”
    â€œHow well you know me, on such a short acquaintance,” Coop said as he set the curricle in motion, his tiger still standing on the flagway.
    â€œI think you forgot someone,” Dany said, watching as the boy, no more than twelve, headed for the alleyway beside the mansion.
    â€œHarry will go to the servants’ entrance and someone will feed him a cake or something. It’s all arranged. We’ve no need of a prepubescent chaperone, Miss Foster. We’ll be far from alone in the park.”
    â€œYes, I’d wondered about that. We’d look rather silly having to speak across my maid, plopped between us, her hands clapped to her ears. I really must read that book.”
    â€œWhatever book it is, yes, please do tend to the task posthaste. I know you’re fresh from the country, but hasn’t your sister explained anything to you?”
    â€œShe’s been rather fully employed weeping into her pillow,” Dany said, at the moment not caring what the baron thought of her, or her sister. It was enough that he was here, apparently still willing to play the hero for them. Why, she’d nearly forgotten all about his green eyes. Nearly. “Which brings us to our new problem. The butler’s wife believes the countess may be increasing.”
    He made an expert but not showy turn into Hyde Park, having executed the tricky maneuver of inserting the curricle into the line of various equipages without muss, fuss or banging wheels with anyone. The man was not flamboyant, not in his speech, his dress, his deportment. He was the unlikeliest hero she’d ever imagined in her daydreams. He was simply a man who stood up when necessary, and did heroic things. Perhaps it was not only his eyes...and blond locks, and strong chin line, and...and all the rest that drew her to him. She’d like to think so, or else that would make her no more than one of the giggling, sighing throng of females who probably chased him everywhere. How he must hate that!
    â€œReally. Increasing what— Oh. Miss Foster, I don’t think this is anything you and I should be addressing. I’ll correct myself. I know it isn’t anything we should discuss. But since I have no doubt you’ll address it, anyway, is there a problem of...timing?”
    â€œOh, good. I was wondering how I might gracefully get around that part. Yes, I think so. Probably only Mrs. Timmerly knows for sure, since I believe Mari only just figured everything out today. So you see, my lord, it is now doubly important we seek out this blackmailer and recover her letters. Oliver must never know, can never so much as think he may have been, um...”
    â€œUsurped? I can think of other words, although I’d rather not.”
    She refused to blush. “I suppose that’s as clear as we need make that, thank you. I felt you should know, since we are working together.”
    â€œWe are? I don’t believe I’ve agreed to a partnership of any kind.”
    Apparently men could be maddeningly thick. “Do you really have a choice?”
    â€œI don’t? Please, enlighten me.”
    â€œYes, I should. In the interests of fairness, I feel it only fair to add that I don’t like you. I may admire you, and even find you somewhat attractive, but I don’t like you. You clearly resent that I’ve come to