Free After the Abduction by Sabrina Jeffries Page A

a little. “Never mind. Just rest assured that I like women well enough.”
    She forced concern into her voice. “Dear me, I think you’ve misunderstood. I was merely saying—”
    “I know what you were saying,” he clipped out. “My ‘reckless adventurer’ of a brother swept you off your feet with his romantic kissing. No doubt that’s why you wish to find him—so you can punish him for not marrying you as he’d sworn to do.”
    He would put that construction on it, since it preserved his pride. But she wouldn’t let him preserve any of that. “Not at all. I only want to find him to learn the truth. It would have been disastrous if he’d married me as promised.”
    His eyes widened. “You didn’t fancy yourself in love with him?”
    “Of course I did at the time, or I wouldn’t have run off with him. What kind of wicked creature do you take me for?” She gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “But I came to my senses when I realized he was kidnapping me. No sensible woman wants to marry a man of Morgan’s sort, even if he does make her heart race and her bones melt and…” She trailed off with a condescending smile. “Whereas even if you don’t have the most thrilling kisses, you are still a respectable—”
    “—gentleman,” he finished, his tone dripping sarcasm. “Yes, I believe I thoroughly grasp the distinction you’re making.”

    “I’ve insulted you. I’m so sorry.” Sorry she hadn’t started this sooner. It was awful of her, but she was enjoying herself enormously. “I mean it as a compliment, you know. A naive girl might fall madly in love with a scoundrel, but a rational, grown woman knows that proper gentlemen—like yourself—are infinitely preferable to dashing rogues, even if the proper gentlemen’s kisses don’t exactly…” She purposely trailed off.
    “Make her heart race and her bones melt.” He sounded as if he were squeezing words through the small end of a bellows.
    “Not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you. As I tried to—”
    “Enough, madam,” he growled. “I’ve heard more than I care to hear about how ‘proper gentlemen’ kiss.”
    “I was merely trying to explain why you’ve convinced me you’re not Morgan.”
    “You’ve explained it deuced well.” He appeared to be apoplectic.
    Good. She hoped he choked on her words. Maybe next time he wouldn’t leap to deny who he was.
    And she dearly wanted a next time, now that she’d stumbled upon the way to strike at him. He’d lost some of his cursed arrogance, and perhaps if she hammered enough at it, he’d tire of having his pride assaulted and scream out that he was Morgan, he was the man who’d kissed her with passion.
    She needed more time, that was all. Somehow she must convince Griff and Rosalind to stay a day or two longer in Llanbrooke.
    “As fascinating as this discussion has been,” he snapped, “I have some work to do, so if you don’t mind…”
    “Oh, of course, Lord Templemore.” She gave him an exaggeratedly formal curtsy. “I’m sorry for taking up so much of your valuable time.”

    That might have been a bit overdone. He eyed her suspiciously. “We needn’t stand on formality, I should think, after what we just did. I’d prefer you call me Sebastian.”
    “And I’d prefer that you’d turned out to be my kidnapper. It would make my life so much easier. But apparently neither of us shall get what we prefer. So good night, my lord. Sleep well.”
    With that, she marched out of the room, feeling decidedly better than she had in years.

Chapter 5
    For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.
    Isaac Watts, “Against Idleness and Mischief,” Divine Songs for Children, embroidered on a sampler by Juliet Laverick at the age of seven years
    S ebastian knew he was in trouble when he awakened the next morning to a rampant erection. Devil take it.
    Sleep well, the teasing minx had said. Ha! Had she guessed he’d spend the night churning his sheets,