Free Splendid by Julia Quinn Page A

didn’t speak, not quite trusting her voice.
    He answered the question he saw in her eyes. “Not many women have breasts as lovely as yours. ’Tis a pity to cover them up.”
    That only made Emma clutch the pillow even tighter. Alex chuckled at her modesty. “Besides,” he continued, “you’re not hiding from me anything you haven’t just shown to all of London.”
    Except they weren’t sitting in my bedroom , Emma thought angrily.
    â€œReally, Meg, or should I say Emma? You can’t convince me you’re mute. I saw a fair piece of your temper earlier this afternoon. Surely you must have something to say?”
    Emma said the first thing that came into her mind. “I think I’m going to vomit.”
    That comment took Alex completely off guard, and he half rose out of his chair. Emma feared she might actually laugh at the look of utter panic she saw on his face. “Good Lord,” he exclaimed, scanning the room for some kind of receptacle. Not finding one, he looked back to the woman on the bed. “Do you mean it?”
    â€œNo. Although your presence does unsettle my stomach.”
    Alex was once again taken aback. The American chit had succeeded in completely flustering him— no mean feat. He ought to throttle her for her impudence, but she looked so damned innocent and appealing sitting on the bed with the pillow clutched to her chest that he could only laugh. “Women have told me that I make them feel a number of things,” he drawled, “but nausea was never one of them.”
    Emma ignored his comment. “What on earth are you doing here?” she finally asked.
    â€œIsn’t it obvious?” Alex’s green eyes twinkled as he leaned forward. “I came to find you.”
    â€œMe?” Emma squeaked, hoping there had been some mistake. “You don’t even know me.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Alex mused. “But I did meet a kitchen wench this afternoon who looked remarkably like you. Red hair, violet eyes. Do you by chance have an identical twin?” He smiled dangerously. “She was nothing like you in temperament, however. A lusty wench, she was. Could barely keep her hands off of me—and kissed me in the most unspeakable places.”
    â€œI did not!” Emma roared. “How dare you even suggest it!”
    Alex merely raised a single eyebrow at her outburst. “So you do admit that you were in my coach this afternoon?”
    â€œYou know I was. There is no use denying it.”
    â€œIndeed,” Alex agreed, leaning comfortably back into the chair.
    â€œMake yourself right at home.”
    Alex paid no attention to her sarcasm. “Thank you. You’re very kind. And now,” he commanded, “I would like a full explanation of how you came to be wearing servant’s clothes and traipsing around London unescorted.”
    â€œWhat?!” Emma shrieked, outraged.
    â€œI’m waiting for your explanation.” His voice was deadly patient.
    â€œWell, you’re not going to get one, you highhanded louse,” she said bitterly.
    â€œYou’re very lovely when you’re angry, Emma.”
    â€œMust you always say such outrageous things?”
    Alex placed his hands behind his head and leaned back, as if he were pondering her angry question. “Actually, I’ve always prided myself on being slightly outrageous.”
    â€œI’ll just bet you have,” she muttered.
    â€œWhat was that?”
    Emma decided to try another tactic. “I think you’re acting more than slightly outrageous. I may be from the United States, but even I know this is not at all the thing.” Emma sighed as she assessed her predicament. “Are you determined to ruin me? I’m trying so hard to make my uncle and aunt proud of me.”
    Alex felt a twinge of guilt at his behavior when he saw Emma’s wistful expression. Her violet eyes glowed softly