Nothing But Scandal by Allegra Gray

breeches, his jacket a deep claret. The wind toyed with his dark hair, and she resisted the urge to smooth it back into place.
    “Would you care to accompany me on a drive tomorrow afternoon? I believe our last conversation in the library was interrupted, and I’m anxious to continue it.”
    Interrupted, indeed.
    “You’re too kind, Your Grace, but I simply couldn’t.”
    “Why not? Tomorrow is Sunday, and I know for a fact my sister makes a point of spending Sunday afternoons with her children. It would seem you are free.” He frowned. “Unless, of course, you’re trying to avoid me.”
    “No, Your Grace, of course not.” The answer slipped out before she could think of a better one.
    “Then you’ll come?”
    “Er…” She should tell him she’d already made plans. But for what? Silently Elizabeth cursed the mental lapse that robbed her of common sense whenever he was near.
    His frown cleared, replaced by a satisfied, lazy smile, as if he’d already anticipated her capitulation. He placed his hand over hers, his thumb stroking small circles in her palm. “I know of a lovely route we could take. The flowers have all just begun to bloom. Rather like yourself—a beautiful bloom unfurling before my eyes.” His eyes twinkled.
    Elizabeth grew warm. “Your flattery is outrageous, Your Grace. Besides, it would hardly be proper.”
    “Is that your concern, then? Propriety?” He stroked the inside of her wrist.
    Elizabeth melted. Desperately she tried to remember the many reasons why getting involved with Alex Bainbridge was a very, very bad idea.
    Propriety. Yes, that was it.
    “Of course,” she managed, but her voice came out a whisper.
    Alex grinned wider. Obviously, he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
    She turned away, but he clasped both her hands in his.
    “There’s no need to play coy. I know you are not adverse to my attentions, else you would never have come up with that fascinating proposal. Let me see…how did you put it? Oh, yes. You asked me to ruin you.”
    She stood indignantly. “It is most ungallant of you, sir, to bring that up,” she admonished, though from the amusement in his eyes, her scolding had little effect.
    He gave her arm a tug that landed her back on the bench—this time much closer to him.
    “Besides, that was when I thought your involvement would be beneficial,” Elizabeth continued, trying to ignore the fact that their thighs were nearly brushing. Thank goodness for the layers of her skirts. “Now that I’ve managed to avoid my unwanted suitor and secure a position on my own, there’s really no need for you to even think of me.”
    “I disagree.” He slid even closer, and the heavy-lidded intent in his eyes told Elizabeth he meant to kiss her. “I’m quite certain there is, uh, need .”
    She scooted back, heat rising in her cheeks.
    “There would be advantages for you, you know.”
    She cocked her head, uncertain how to respond.
    “Let me be bold. I would have you as my mistress, Elizabeth.”
    The cad! Elizabeth grasped at the shreds of her dignity. “Hardly a position to ascribe to,” she said haughtily. That wasn’t true, though. Any number of women would gladly accept the position, even if, or particularly if, an offer of marriage was not forthcoming.
    Alex knew it, too. “ Au contraire, cherie . As my mistress, you would be supported in far more luxury than you can support yourself as a governess.”
    She looked away.
    “Come, Elizabeth,” he said, his tone gentling, “we both know you are not suited to governess’s work. You are a creature of passion.”
    With one strong finger he traced her ear, her jaw—a touch that, had he known it, confirmed his assessment of her.
    “And yet,” she replied, drawing her spine as stiff and straight as possible, “a governess holds a respectable position. My family may be upset with me, but at least I am not ruined in the eyes of all Society. And if I am to remain respectable, I must be a governess of