Patricia Potter by Lightning Page A

smile. “Are you really interested, Miss Bradley?”
    The question took her by surprise. “Why shouldn’t I be?”
    “Most women aren’t.”
    “And you’ve met most women?”
    The challenge was there again, the challenge she continued to throw at him. His smile widened. “Most women in my acquaintance,” he amended carefully, his eyes twinkling.
    “Then you have a very limited circle of acquaintances,” she said primly, but her mouth twitched with mischief. Adrian’s fascination deepened. She was very direct and very honest, and he liked both qualities. He found he liked them very much.
    “Is it that much different in Maryland?” he asked.
    “Do women have brains in Maryland, you mean?” Her lips were twitching even more, as if she were delighted at the prospect of trapping him.
    Adrian looked over at Jeremy, who returned the glance sympathetically. “I have the highest respect for the intelligence of women,” Adrian finally said, trying to think of a graceful way out. “It’s just …”
    She tipped her head with curiosity. “Just what?”
    “Interests are different,” he said triumphantly.
    “I’m very interested in what you do,” she retorted.
    “And I’m interested in you,” he countered as a becoming blush started up her face.
    Jeremy cleared his throat, and Adrian was reminded that it was not only he and Lauren Bradley at the table.
    Corinne was looking at them with an intrigued expression on her face, and Jeremy looked amused. “A cigar?” he asked Adrian as he pushed back his chair.
    Adrian leaned back, wondering at the speed with which the evening was passing. He looked over at Socrates, who had been given a bowl of fruit and was now sprawled asleep on a chair. He had been extraordinarily well mannered that night, and Adrian was relieved. He wondered if it was because of Lauren Bradley; he’d never seen Socrates take to anyone so rapidly, and his little imp had been on good behavior ever since.
    He watched as Lauren’s gaze also went to the animal and her face softened. She was a curious mixture, full of contradictions. Direct one moment, vulnerable the next. He remembered how she’d tripped one of her assailants when most women would have fainted—or pretended to do so. But then Lauren had trembled like a leaf in the wind, and she had seemed to welcome his touch, even while wariness was apparent in her eyes.
    He nodded his assent to Jeremy’s question. They would disappear into another room, and he would have time to assess the effect Miss Bradley had on him. Lauren. It was a musical name.
    He pushed back his chair. “Perhaps I could show you Nassau tomorrow,” he said to her.
    Lauren looked toward Jeremy and Corin Jeremy nodded.
    “I would like that,” she answered.
    “Tomorrow at noon?” He was surprised at his own eagerness.
    She nodded, startled by the anticipation the invitation caused to swell in the pit of her stomach. Anticipation and foreboding.
    And fear.

CHAPTER 5
     
     
     
    The small skiff skimmed through the water.
    Lauren took turns between looking at the man at the tiller and the impossibly clear water that reflected every shade of blue and green. They were equally fascinating.
    She had hesitated before agreeing to a short sailing trip around the island, but Jeremy and Corinne had both assented, saying no man was a better, or safer, sailor. Society on the island was more accepting than in many other places, and here a sail was no more eyebrow-raising than a daytime carriage ride. Besides, she was at an age where one could do what one wanted.
    Lauren knew Jeremy had ulterior motives, even if Corinne didn’t. They were both, Lauren and Jeremy, doing exactly what was demanded of them.
    But Lauren had decided she wasn’t going to think about that now. She was going to enjoy this brilliant day, and the glorious water that melded from aquamarine to turquoise to the deepest emerald. She felt she could reach down and touch the bottom of the ocean even when Adrian