Free A Curious Heart (Love Vine: A Regency Series) by Diane Davis White Page B

Rothburn's tone allowed no room for Griffin to misinterpret the other man's intent. He knew what they were about and interrupting deliberately.
    "Coming cousin. Just give us a moment." Griffin needed time before he rose from the bench, lest he embarrass himself and the girl as well, with the evidence of his need.
    With a sense of urgency in his tone he clasped her hands and looked solemnly into her eyes. "I will call on you tomorrow. Perhaps we can persuade Rothburn to make up a foursome with your aunt and go for a ride in the park. It is the best I can do."
    Seeing Allie's disappointed look, he said with exasperation, "You surely do not expect me to engage in the intrigues you have suggested? Not only are they childish, but dangerous and possibly harmful as well."
    "Oh how can you say so? I am no child to be treated in such a manner!" Allie, her sensibilities clearly injured by his disregard for her plans, stood quickly and ran inside, leaving Griffin sitting very still upon the bench. He stayed that way for some time and was startled when his cousin came to sit beside him.
    "Having some difficulty with the lady?" Rothburn, likely well aware why Griffin could not rise from his perch, turned a knowing look upon the youth. "You know, it has been my experience that when in the company of gently born young ladies, one does not indulge in activities of a passionate nature. Can get a man in real trouble, if you will."
    "I only kissed her. And a very simple kiss it was. Girl would hardly open her mouth." Disgruntled by the entire episode and feeling foolish, Griffin was in no mood forhis cousin's patronizing attitude.
    "I am only suggesting—"
     "I'm not in the habit of seducing gently bred young ladies," he interrupted with pique. "While she is beautiful, she is also very young."
    "I believe you and I'm sure Sir Gordon will believe you—as long as you don't make a habit of secreting the girl off into dark corners. Only luck that someone else didn't stumble upon the pair of you in such an intimate embrace. Shouldn't have been out here unescorted in the first place. Pendleton's a crack shot—wouldn't want you dead before you're wed."
    With that, Rothburn gave a hearty laugh and slapped him on the back, then rose from the bench and offered a hand up. "I'm sure you can go inside now. All the ladies have retired to the sitting room. Time for a spot of brandy, eh? Nothing like it for curing what ails you."
    "A dram of whisky would be more to my liking," Griffin mumbled, following his noble cousin through the French doors. Rothburn's laughter did not sit well. He frowned at the other man's back, pride smarting and body aching in places he dared not think of.
    "Dead before you are wed," he muttered under his breath. Those words alarmed him. When Griffin had been invited to dinner at the Pendleton home, he'd been elated to find himself able to spend more time with the young lady who was the object of his desire. But desire was all Griffin had in mind. Knowing he had another year at Cambridge and then be sent abroad to complete his education, he had no thought of marriage.
    Warned in the past not to dally with gently bred ladies, he'd heeded that warning—until now. There was something so sweet and so intriguing about Allie Pendleton, he could not help being drawn to her. He wanted her, but he wanted his freedom as well.
     Deluding himself that he could have both was a dangerous game and his cousin's warning had been like dashing cold water in his face. He would have to give her up, for he could not, in good conscience, seduce the girl and then leave her ruined. It would not serve.
    As though he could read Griffin's thoughts, Rothburn stopped and turned, placing a fatherly hand on the younger man's arm. "Women are the bane of a man's existence, cousin of mine. Can't have 'em unless we pay the piper. Whether 'tis a Piccadilly doxy or a drawing room miss, a man must pay in one way or another. If you find the one you want, be willing to