Free Secrets of a Runaway Bride by Valerie Bowman

sufficed.”
    She could hear his smile in the darkness. “Just tell me one thing,” Lord Ashbourne replied. “What is it exactly that you see in Eggleston?”
    Annie crossed her arms over her middle and glared into the shadows. “As if you really care.”
    “I do, actually. I’m fascinated. Why a woman with your obvious good looks and connections is so set on marrying that fool—”
    Annie let out a short laugh. “A woman with my obvious good looks and connections? Why, now I know where you got your reputation for being charming.” She shook her head. “But I’ll tell you, on one condition.”
    “What condition?”
    “If you promise to stop insulting him.”
    He snorted. “I cannot make that promise.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s hardly my fault. The man is named after something that drops from a chicken’s arse.”
    Annie pressed her lips together. “Oh, how exceedingly mature of you.”
    Lord Ashbourne’s crack of laughter bounced off the coach’s interior and Aunt Clarissa stirred. He glanced at her and lowered his voice. “It’s true. It’s too easy not to mention it. What if I promise to do my best not to insult him? Then will you tell me?”
    Annie leaned forward a bit and so did Lord Ashbourne. A shaft of moonlight illuminated his chiseled cheekbones and fell across his firm lips, highlighting just one of his bright gray eyes. She sucked in her breath, then glanced down at her hands folded in her lap. Very well, Frances was entirely right. She would not quibble. The man was swoon-over handsome.
    She shook her head to clear it of such thoughts and concentrated on his question. Why was she interested in Arthur?
    “Let’s see. He’s kind and generous. He’s handsome and intelligent. He’s clever and he’s an excellent brother and son.”
    Jordan rolled his eyes. “The man sounds like a positive saint. How dull.”
    “But most importantly, he loves me.” She nodded.
    His eyes narrowed on her. “Love? Is that it?” He sounded incredulous.
    “Yes.” She nodded again but with a bit less confidence this time.
    “Seems to me, when a man is in love he doesn’t make excuses for postponing a wedding.”
    Annie gritted her teeth. She refused to allow him to mock her. “What would you know about it? Aren’t you famous for not wanting to marry?”
    He shrugged. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean I’ve never been in love.”
    Annie snapped her mouth shut. She sat back against the seat, silently contemplating his words for a moment She could not be more astonished. “You have? Been in love, I mean?”
    “I once thought I was in love.” His voice was solemn, quiet.
    “What happened?” She eyed him carefully. She couldn’t fathom, couldn’t imagine the arrogant and dashing Lord Debonair in love.
    “Suffice it to say things didn’t work out. It turns out love is a silly notion invented by poets and fools.”
    He seemed ready to change the subject and Annie dared a glance at him. “May I ask you another question?”
    He nodded.
    “Why do you insist upon insulting Arthur? I do not flatter myself and think it has anything to do with me.”
    Lord Ashbourne arched a brow. “It does, actually. Are you surprised to know it? I didn’t give two whits about Eggleston before I met you. I barely knew he existed, really. I mean, he is the second son of a baron, not exactly someone I rub elbows with, but when Devon pointed out to me that the cad refused to dance with you at your come-out, and then he did so wrong by you, carting you off to Gretna Green—I’ve had it in for the bloke ever since. I just don’t particularly like the fellow.”
    Annie tried to ignore the little shudder of happiness that passed through her body at his words. “Ah, so you’re chivalrous now, are you?”
    Lord Ashbourne flashed her a charming smile. “Of course not,” he scoffed. “I wouldn’t want to ruin my black reputation.”
    Annie bit her lip to keep from smiling. It was nice of him, actually, to be so concerned