Quick, Amanda by Dangerous Page A

phenomena?” Thornbridge looked more mystified than ever. He also began to look doubtful.
    Sebastian quirked a brow. “She has also not yet learned to tell a social lie. Not that there are many tales
    that could explain our pres-ence in here. I believe we shall have to go with the truth on this occasion.”
    Thornbridge glowered at him. “The truth being that you brought this innocent young woman up here to
    seduce her. Isn’t that correct, Angelstone?”
    “Not precisely,” Sebastian said.
    “He had no such intentions,” Prudence said briskly.
    Thornbridge continued to scowl at Sebastian. “You should be ashamed of yourself, sir.”
    “You’re not the first one to point that out to me tonight.”
    “My lord, you don’t understand.” Prudence jumped down from the wardrobe. “Angelstone did not bring
    me up here with the intention of seducing me.”
    Thornbridge gave her a pitying look. “My poor dear Miss Mer-ryweather. This business will well nigh
    break Lady Pembroke’s kind heart. You are so pathetically naive.”
    Sebastian folded his arms and leaned against the wardrobe. He gazed meditatively at Prudence. “Naive
    is not quite the right word for Miss Merryweather. Harebrained might be a better one. Reckless.
    Ungovernable. Imprudent. Yes, I can think of a variety of terms that suit Miss Merryweather far better
    than naive.”
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    She pushed her spectacles higher on her nose and glared at him. “That is unfair, my lord. I am attempting
    to explain this extremely upsetting situation to Lord Thornbridge. He has every right to know how we
    come to be in his wife’s bedroom.”
    “By all means,” Sebastian replied, his golden eyes brilliant with devilish laughter. “Explain it to him.”
    Annoyance flared in her as she realized he was not going to help her out at all. Damn the man, he was
    amusing himself again, this time at her expense. Considering the fact that they were in this situation
    because of his actions and that she was merely attempting to save his wretched neck, the least he could
    do was assist her in the task. Pru-dence turned back to Thornbridge.
    “The thing is, my lord, this is all a terrible misunderstanding,” she said earnestly.
    Thornbridge cut her off with a flick of his hand. Now that he was no longer obliged to play the outraged
    husband, he had apparently decided to assume another role, that of the outraged host. He drew himself
    up and gave Sebastian a narrow-eyed look.
    “Do not trouble yourself, Miss Merryweather. The facts speak for themselves. You are alone up here in
    a bedchamber with one of the most notorious men of theton. No further explanations are neces-sary.”
    Prudence hesitated as she began to sense the new direction in which this was all going. She cautiously
    cleared her throat. “Sir, I believe you are under a very serious misapprehension.”
    Thornbridge paid her no heed. He was still glowering self-righ-teously at Sebastian. “Well, sir? Do you
    intend to do the proper thing by this young woman?”
    Still standing with one shoulder propped against the wardrobe, Sebastian inclined his head with mocking
    gallantry. “As it happens, Thornbridge, Miss Merryweather and I are in this bedchamber be-cause we
    were seeking some privacy in which to discuss our future. I have decided it is time I married. For her
    part, Miss Merryweather has wisely concluded that she is not likely to get a better offer due to her
    advanced years. We have therefore reached an agreement.”
    “Angelstone,” Prudence got out in a strangled voice.
    Sebastian did not even hesitate. “Allow me to present my fiancee, sir. Miss Merryweather and I are
    engaged.”

Chapter Five
    I am sorry to have to say this, my lord, but the disaster in which we find ourselves is entirely your fault,“
    Prudence announced as Sebastian turned the sleek black phaeton into the crowded park.
    “You are far too generous, my