Free Suzanne Robinson by The Engagement-1

him?” The derringer wobbled, then pointed at him again. “Of all the disgusting, evil assumptions. You have the mind of a degenerate, Mr. Ross.”
    Nick braced himself on the stair rail and leaned over it. “Speaking of degenerate. I ain’t the one standing naked in a pool with a flimsy bit o’ cloth that a blind frog could see through.”
    Georgiana looked down at herself, saw the wet, transparent material, and yelped. One arm dropped to her breasts while her gun hand dropped beneath the water to cover the dark triangle between her legs. Then she gasped, yanking the gun out of the water, only to drop it and cover herself again. Nick’s delighted chuckle bounced off the walls. Georgiana plunged to the edge of the pool again, grabbed a bathing towel, and clutched it to her body. The soaked gown floated away.
    Facing him again, she hissed, “I should have shot you.”
    Nick stopped chuckling. “How many men have you killed?”
    “Don’t be absurd. None.”
    Something in his expression must have alarmed her, because she backed into the middle of the plunge bath. He descended to the foot of the stairs, then strolled to the edge of the bath.
    “None,” he said softly. “Be careful who you threaten to shoot. The traps would scrag me quick if they knew how many I’ve killed.” At her confused expression he said, “The police—they’d hang me. What did you think, that I got out of St. Giles selling violets?”
    He watched her throat muscles work as she swallowed. Admiration followed when she responded in a steady voice.
    “My ancestors fought the Spanish Armada and stood with Wellington against Napoleon. You aren’t going to intimidate me, Mr. Ross. Now, leave, before I begin shouting for help.”
    “Too far away to be heard.” He stooped and picked up a crystal bottle. Pulling the stopper, he sniffed. It was empty but smelled of jasmine. “Say, George. Is that water cold?”
    “What do you mean? Get out!”
    He knelt and trailed his fingers in the water. “Must have put in steam after it was built. But it’s getting cold now.”
    “Are you going to leave or not?”
    “Well, George, that depends.”
    Her thin, arched brows drew together. “Upon what?”
    “On whether we can reach a deal, old chap.”
    “Go on,” she snapped, tugging the towel closer to her hips.
    “I’ll leave if you promise to give up this ridiculous engagement.”
    “I’m going to look up an ancient Egyptian curse and use it on you.”
    Nick stuck his hand into the water again. “Gettingcolder. Course, I could come in and get you. Is that what you’re waiting for?”
    She backpedaled so quickly, her feet slipped out from under her and she plunged into the water. Caught by surprise, Nick knelt at the edge of the pool and chortled. She shot to the surface, sputtering water and cursing. Once on her feet, she twisted the towel around her body more securely and waded toward him. Nick stopped laughing as her voiced boomed.
    “By God, sir! I’m going to make you sorry you ever left St. Giles.”
    He didn’t respond at once, because he didn’t think she would have the brazen will to do it. When she mounted the steps that led out of the pool, he realized he’d misjudged her. She was coming out, and she was going to attack him. If she touched him, all wet and bare-skinned, he wouldn’t be laughing for long. He couldn’t fight Jocelin’s naked sister, not with his body aroused and his emotions disturbed. He began backing away as she stomped toward him. “Now, George—Lady Georgiana, remember your breeding.”
    “Don’t speak to me of breeding, you wretched vermin.”
    Thrusting out a hand, Nick chuckled and shook his head.
    “You don’t know what you’re doing, love.”
    She was in front of him quickly, and he was still shaking his head when she drew back a fist and punched him. She was wet, so the blow glanced off his cheek. Georgiana cried out and clutched her hand. Nick swore, more in surprise than in pain, and put a