Free A Rose in Winter by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss Page B

straightened and held up a handful of charred hem for her inspection.
    "I believe, my dear Erienne," he began solicitously, the humor in his voice disguised by a disapproving frown, "that you either have a penchant for self-destruction... or you are somehow testing me... or my ability to protect you. I think this may bear further investigation."
    It dawned on Erienne, as his gaze dropped, that he was far more interested in the considerable length of leg the raised skirt exposed. Catching the garment free of his grasp, she cast a sidelong glare at the man and moved a step away from him, then eyed him quizzically as he set aside his hat and removed his coat to lay it across a plank. The hearth radiated a fair amount of heat, warranting the shedding of the garment, but for a man who had been banned from the cottage, Christopher Seton seemed quite at ease.
    "I suppose I must thank you for what you did," Erienne reluctantly conceded, "but if you hadn't been standing there, this would never have happened."
    His brows gathered in a lopsided query while a smile touched his lips. "My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you."
    "What were you doing spying on me?" she asked bluntly as she flounced down on a bench to inspect her charred skirts.
    The lean, hard muscles of his thighs flexed beneath the tight-fitting breeches as he half sat, half leaned on a high stool nearby. "I grew bored with viewing the ladies who meander about the markets, and I came to see if the sights were better here at the mayor's cottage." The corners of his lips twitched with amusement, and his eyes gleamed into hers as he added, "I am happy to report, they are!"
    Erienne got to her feet in a huff. "Have you nothing better to do than go about ogling the women?"
    "I suppose I could find something else to occupy me," he replied easily, "but I can't think of anything that's nearly as enjoyable, except, of course, being in a lady's company."
    "Besides the fact that you're a scoundrel at the gaming tables," she responded tartly, "I'm beginning to suspect that you're a womanizing rake."
    Christopher grinned leisurely as his perusal swept her. "I've been a long time at sea. However, I doubt that in your case my reaction would vary had I just left the London Court."
    Erienne's eyes flared with poorly suppressed ire. The insufferable egotist! Did he dare think he could find a willing wench at the back door of the mayor's cottage? "I'm sure that Claudia Talbot would welcome your company, sir. Why don't you ride on over to see her? I hear his lordship traveled off to London this morning."
    He laughed softly at her sneering tones. "I'd rather be courting you."
    "Why?" she scoffed. "Because you want to thwart my father?"
    His smiling eyes captured hers and held them prisoner until she felt a warmth suffuse her cheeks. He answered with slow deliberation. "Because you are the prettiest maid I've ever seen, and I'd like to get to know you better. And of course, we should delve into this matter of your accidents more thoroughly, too."
    Twin spots of color grew in her cheeks, but the deepening dusk did much to hide her blush. Lifting her nose primly in the air, Erienne turned aside, tossing him a cool glance askance. "How many women have you told that to, Mr. Seton?"
    A crooked smile accompanied his reply. "Several, I suppose, but I've never lied. Each had their place in time, and to this date, you are the best I've seen." He reached out and taking a handful of the cracklings, he chewed the crisp morsels as he awaited her reaction.
    A flush of anger spread to the delicate tips of her ears, and icy fire smoldered in the deep blue-violet pools. "You conceited, unmitigated boor!" Her voice was as cold and as flat as the Russian steppes. "Do you think to add me to your long string of conquests?"
    Her chilled contempt met him face to face until he rose and towered above her. His eyes grew distant, and he reached out a finger to flip a curl that had strayed from beneath the