Free To Love a Scoundrel (Zebra Historical Romance) by Kristina Cook

feeling slightly dazed as she stood
facing him. "I'm sure you're going to tell me. And
please, quit calling me Eleanor as if we were intimates.
You know it isn't proper, and you do it just to vex me"
    "You remind me of a horse with too sharp a bit, too
tight a bridle."
    Ali, again with the horse comparison. "Is that so?"
she bit out.
    "Indeed. In fact, I've only seen you on one occasion where you actually seemed free of the restraintunbridled, so to speak"

    "And when was that?" she asked, brushing a few
stray blades of grass from her skirts.
    "That day at Marbleton, when I found you dancing
beneath the tree without boots or bonnet. It was truly an
amazing sight, watching the transformation."
    "I wish you wouldn't mention that ... that ... indiscretion on my part. It's quite embarrassing"
    "I don't see why it should be," he said with a shrug.
"There's no shame in doing something simply because
you want to. Taking pleasure where it can be found. Doing
what you please."
    Eleanor began to pace, making a circuit beneath the
trees. "That's what you do, isn't it? Whatever you please,
regardless of the consequence, regardless of what people
think or whom you might hurt"
    "You're beautiful when you're angry, you know. Your
cheeks turn crimson and your eyes roil like the sea in a
storm"
    She stopped her pacing a mere three feet from Frederick, who was now leaning indolently against a tree,
one boot propped against the trunk.
    "Is that so?" she snapped, her hands fisted by her
sides. "Have you any more practiced lines to use, something more original, perhaps? I do believe I heard my
eyes likened to the sea, oh, at least a half-dozen times
over the course of the Season"
    He shrugged. "It may not be original, but it is the
truth. You're as lovely as any woman I've ever seen"
    "Your pretty words have no power over me, Frederick
Stoneham. It's a game you play, nothing more. Though
I will say you're good-quite good," she added with a
nod. "No wonder your conquests are plentiful."

    He reached up to rub his cheek with his palm. "You
doubt my sincerity?"
    "I don't simply doubt it. I know your words are false,
a means to an end"
    "You're damn lucky I don 't do whatever I please, regardless of the consequence. Otherwise, I'd show you
just how sincere I am. Right here, by the road"
    Eleanor considered his words, the innuendo finally
sinking in. "Would you, now?" she asked, fully piqued.
    "Indeed I would. Of course, then your brother would
be forced to come after me with a pistol in his hand."
    "I presume I'm supposed to be shocked by your scandalous talk? Is that your intent?"
    "Aren't you? Shocked, I mean? After all, a lady of
your circumstances-"
    "Not in the least," Eleanor interrupted, deciding at
once to put on a show of complete and total disaffectedness. "In fact, I find your predictability boring, to tell
the truth"
    The corners of his mouth curved into the barest hint
of a smile. "I'm boring you, then?"
    "No, I simply said your predictability was boring. In
fact, in some ways I find you amusing."
    "First I was boring, now I'm amusing? Well, I suppose I should be grateful for the improvement"
    And now her trump card. "In fact, it's almost pitiable
how one-dimensional you are. Have you nothing on
your mind when you're with a woman besides how to
get her on her back as expeditiously as possible?"
    His faced blanched, and she knew her words had
found their mark.
    "You pity me?" he asked, his voice laced with incredulity.
    She boldly met his gaze, folding her arms across her
breasts. "You didn't answer my question"

    "A lady shouldn't ask such a question. Perhaps I should
report your impertinence to your father." He was smiling
once more, but the smile was tight. Forced, perhaps.
    "Oh, but you won't" Eleanor answered gaily, finally
feeling as if she had the upper hand in the conversation.
    "And why won't I?"
    "Because you enjoy it. My impertinence. I can see it
in your eyes."
    His response startled