Seduced: The Scandalous Virgin by Deborah Hale Page B

Desperately eager to seize any fleeting pleasure, she had flirted with him shamelessly, determined to leave him in no doubt that she could be his for the asking.
    He had responded by going out of his way to avoid her. When circumstances made that impossible, he treated her as if she were some ancient dowager, rather than one of the most sought-after belles in all of India. To compound the insult, he embarked on an affair with a vapid officer’s widow twice her age. Her social circle in Madras had been too small for his conduct to go unremarked. He had made her a laughingstock.
    That wasn’t true, Genia’s conscience forced her to admit as she gazed out the port window toward the retreating coastline. She had humiliated herself with her heedless behavior, just as she’d brought about her own disgrace and exile. But was she not being punished enough for her imprudence? Must she also suffer several months in the company of the man who’d spurned her, so he could now gloat over her downfall?
    She only hoped Blade Maxwell would make as strenuous an effort to avoid her on the Hartwell as he had during their first acquaintance. If she did likewise, the next few months might just be bearable.
    Genia took great pains to repair her appearance before her first dinner at the captain’s table. Unfortunately, her toilette made her so late that the only vacant chair was the one beside Blade Maxwell. Stifling a groan, she stammered her apologies and slipped into her seat.
    Her hopes that Blade might ignore her were quickly dashed when he turned toward her with a smile that would have thawed an iceberg. “Your drenching doesn’t appear to have done you any harm, Miss Vernon. I hope you found your accommodations satisfactory.”
    â€œI believe they will do very well.” She took care to avoid his gaze. A glimmer of well-feigned interest in those silver-gray eyes might tempt her to let down her guard.
    Her heart began to flutter in the most ridiculous manner when he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Make certain to keep your cabin door locked at all times.”
    â€œWhy?” Genia cast a glance around the table at their fellow passengers. “You cannot suppose anyone would have designs on my person?”
    He gave the most maddeningly infectious chuckle. “You need have no fear on that score. All the unmarried gentlemen are lodged on the deck below. You should be more concerned about the designs certain crewmen might have on your possessions. Some would consider an unlocked cabin an open invitation to pilfer.”
    â€œOf course.” A fierce blush blazed in Genia’s cheeks. “Thank you for the warning.”
    Was Blade Maxwell deliberately trying to bait her into making a fool of herself again? What had she ever done to him but make her attraction too obvious?
    She sought to ignore him by turning her attention to the elderly gentleman her father had asked to watch over her on the voyage, but he was deep in conversation with the captain.
    Blade persisted in quizzing her. “What takes you back to England, Miss Vernon?”
    Genia nearly choked on a morsel of Bengal mutton. Blade Maxwell was the very last person in the world she wished to know the truth about what awaited her in England.
    â€œI am going to live with my father’s aunt,” she replied once she’d cleared her throat. “She means to make me the heiress to her entire fortune.”
    It wasn’t altogether a lie, Genia tried to placate her protesting conscience. Great-aunt Millicent might leave her a small legacy, though not likely enough to live in any comfort.
    â€œA most enviable situation.” Blade took a deep draft of his wine. “I congratulate you.”
    The newfound respect in his tone went to Genia’s head. “Yes. I shall be quite independent, able to live in perfect freedom without the encumbrance of a husband and children.”
    Was she only professing to