Tempting a Proper Lady by Debra Mullins Page A

only returned when you discovered she was an heiress.”
    â€œIs that what you believe?”
    â€œI do not know what to believe. Your explanation for your absence is something out of a novel. Yet at the same time…”
    â€œAt the same time…” he urged when she did not continue.
    â€œI do think you honestly cared for her,” she said. “At least a little.”
    â€œAt last! Someone who doesn’t think me the villain of the piece.”
    â€œI admit that I have not yet made that determination.”
    He frowned. “You just said that you believed me.”
    â€œI want to believe you. But truly, Captain, you might simply be a very gifted liar.”
    He stiffened. “If you were a man, I would knock you cold for that.”
    She gasped. “Captain, really!”
    He shrugged. “’Tis the truth. But have no fear, madam.” He couldn’t stop himself from taking a long, appreciative look at her form. “I can see clearly enough that you are most definitely not a man.”
    In the relative silence of the garden, he heard her breath catch, and she splayed her hand over her bosom. Was her heart pounding at such a simple remark? How long had it been since she had felt a lover’s touch?
    Did she even seek a lover? An image flashed in his mind of the comely widow in the arms of the buttoned-and-pressed lieutenant. No, he doubted the naval man had the fire necessary for the job.Mrs. Burke struck him as a passionate woman who needed a man of equal passion to satisfy her. The lieutenant would leave her wanting. She needed a man of strength, someone comfortable in his own skin, unafraid to take her where she needed to go.
    Someone like…him.
    Once his mind latched on to that notion, it was impossible to let go. The altercation with Raventhorpe had left him edgy, and Annabelle’s disbelief had only increased his frustration. Now here was Mrs. Burke, a widow with a body designed to be a man’s playground, alone in the garden with him.
    Her every word and gesture spoke to him of needs denied. Hunger unsatisfied. He knew without a doubt he could satisfy her. A lesser man might take advantage of the situation.
    But he needed her to help him, and he did not consider seduction the best way to convince her. When sex became involved with business, emotions ran high. Too much could go wrong. As tempted as he was, he had to stand strong and keep his eye on the goal. To save Annabelle.
    â€œI thought you were determined to clear your name, Captain,” the widow said, her tone ringing with well-deserved rebuke. “To prove your honor. Flirting with me will gain you no ground to that end. Remember, it is my job to arrange this wedding. I have nothing to gain by helping you ruin it.”
    â€œExcept to save Annabelle from marrying that scum.”
    â€œScum? An unpleasant personality and puffed-up consequence is no reason to think the man a murderer. And I should warn you, sir, I am impervious to the charm of attractive gentlemen, so if you think to beguile me into helping you, it will not happen.”
    â€œBeguile? Do I have that power? Interesting.” He smiled slowly.
    Impossible male!
    Cilla took slow, even breaths to calm her racing heart. What kind of man disrupted so many lives for the sake of one woman, then flirted with another? And that clever, engaging grin of his invited a woman to forget herself and follow him anywhere. Edward had been nearly as charming. She would not succumb to such blatant manipulation again. Ever.
    â€œBut you do bring up an interesting suggestion,” he continued. “You are close to Annabelle. If I can convince you that Raventhorpe is a danger to her, will you help me stop this wedding?”
    â€œIf you speak seriously and tell me what is truly happening,” Cilla said. “If you cannot do that, I trust you will not waste my time any further.”
    â€œDown to business, are we?”
    â€œI am