Free Reckless in Pink by Lynne Connolly Page B

lenient with you and your sisters, but perhaps it is time we thought of betrothals. However”—he turned his hard gaze to Dominic—“my daughter has the right of it. Her marriage will not be the result of subterfuge or a cold arrangement.”
    “She may wish to jilt me at the end of the season,” Dominic drawled, meeting his lordship’s gaze. “I would not object if she discovered we did not suit. However, as her betrothed husband, I would have a right to examine her properties, would I not?”
    They could think that was the reason for his seemingly sudden proposal, but he wanted more. He wanted Claudia. Not necessarily for life, but he wanted to discover what fascinated him, why she drew him with such certainty. If he entered a room, he knew she was there, even if he couldn’t see her. When he’d entered this house this morning and when he’d entered the other. Truthfully, he hadn’t been sure it was she who’d entered the Hart Street house. Instinct had driven him, and he hadn’t needed to see her face or that wayward golden curl to know he was right. He’d felt her. “Lady Claudia is a lovely, intelligent woman of good family. My parents wish me to marry soon. I have seen nobody who attracts me as much as she does.” He met her fulminating glare and smiled. “I do mean that.”
    “That’s preposterous!” Claudia said. “I will not stay.”
    He had to admire her magnificence as she stormed from the room, her skirts swishing as if to emphasize her fury. She didn’t even slam the door behind her.
    With her gone, he could speak more frankly. “Sir, you need someone to watch her. I believe she could be in danger because of…events she witnessed.”
    If he’d recognized her so easily last night, someone else might well have. That house held any number of dangerous men. He was infuriated that she had blindly walked into it, but he didn’t blame her brothers for the lapse in care. At least not entirely, although he’d have probably put a sturdy footman with her. She was willful, even wild, and her reputation in society or so he’d learned, was a woman on the edge of disgracing herself.
    She needed better care. She needed him.
    Strenshall put his head in his hands, but with a deep breath, lifted it again. “I know it, but she is resourceful and unafraid.”
    Marcus sighed. “A lethal combination. Her twin has no such urge. I have spoken to her, and so has our father.”
    Dominic would wager his best diamond neckcloth pin that they’d exacerbated the problem. Claudia was restless and bored, any fool could see that. Except her family could not. They merely saw a willful child.
    “Even now I worry where she’s gone,” Strenshall said. “One day…”
    Val moved first, dragging a gold pocket-watch from his waistcoat and flipping open the lid. “I have to go, I’m afraid. I have an appointment.”
    His twin tilted a brow. “With a lady, no doubt.”
    “At this time of day?” Val laughed. “I doubt any lady I’m so intimately acquainted with is even conscious at this time of day. No, a meeting in a coffeehouse, and then to White’s. I’m meeting our redoubtable cousin Max.” He nodded to Dominic. “The Marquis of Devereux. Maximilian.”
    “I am aware of the connection. A large family with such unusual names tends to stand out,” Dominic said. Not to mention that Devereux, despite his title, was one of the most powerful men in the City. In fact, that was why the Emperors of London were so dangerous. They extended into most arenas of power, and they worked together. The combination could be lethal to their enemies.
    Unfortunately, their enemies had similar influence, although in slightly different circles. That made for an uncomfortable situation in the country. One day they might recall the initial reason for their dispute—argument over a piece of land didn’t sound right to Dominic— and then they might combine. He repressed his shudder.
    “If we are of the same mind, I have no