Free Scandalous by Candace Camp Page B

eyes. “You are a most infuriating man.”
    â€œYou are only saying that because you know I am right.”
    â€œHe probably is,” Florian agreed. He wore the resigned look of a man about to sacrifice his afternoon. “I shall escort you to the vicarage. Just let me put away a few things in my laboratory.”
    â€œNo, Papa, there is no need for you to do that. I ampositive that Mr. Wolfe is simply feverish. It is Mr. Wolfe and our house that are vulnerable, if there is any attacking to be done.” She sighed. “I shall take Penny with me when I call on Mrs. Whiting. Surely they will not risk attacking two women. After all, Mrs. Smithson and her daughter reached our house safely this morning, and will doubtless return home this afternoon, as well.”
    Florian brightened. “Excellent plan, my dear. I was certain you would come up with the right thing to do.”
    â€œYou think that Miss Pennybaker is ample protection?” their visitor asked, his voice rising in disbelief.
    All three of them turned to look at the woman in question, who was visible at the end of the kitchen table, daintily eating her soup. She looked like a small wren in her plain brown dress. Her hair, a mousy brown streaked with gray, was pulled back severely from her face and fastened into a no-nonsense bun at the back of her head. She was at least three inches shorter than Priscilla, and quite thin. She looked as if a strong wind might blow her away.
    â€œIt is not that I think her physically capable of protecting me,” Priscilla explained testily. “It is simply her presence. There is safety in numbers.”
    â€œYou think they can’t seize two people?”
    â€œI’m sure they can. The question is whether they will. Miss Pennybaker and I will be perfectly safe. There is no need for you to set Papa to worrying.”
    â€œYou are the most exasperating woman I know,” her patient said through clenched teeth.
    Priscilla smiled. “Since you cannot remember past three days ago, I would say that that means very little.”
    She linked her arm through her father’s and led him toward the door. “Come, Papa, let’s go eat our luncheon before Mrs. Smithson becomes thoroughly upset with us.”
    With a last triumphant glance back at “Mr. Wolfe,” she swept out of the room.

CHAPTER FOUR
    H E LAY LOOKING AFTER P RISCILLA and her father as they left the room, wavering between cursing and breaking into a smile. She was irritating; he did not need to remember his whole lifetime to know that she was more irritating and headstrong than most women. She was foolishly refusing to listen to reason—and the fact that she could make him want to laugh at the same time somehow added to his annoyance.
    Well, there were two things he did know about himself. This episode had shown them to him. One was that he was used to being in command. His surprise at having his opinion ignored told him that, as well as the frustration and nasty sense of helplessness he felt. He was also certain that most women were more pliable than his benefactress.
    He wondered whether that knowledge came from his being married. The thought brought him up short. He tried to conjure up the image of a wife or a home, but he could not. He certainly hoped he was not married. Because a third thing that he suddenly knew about himself was that he was intensely attracted to this maddening woman.
    There was something about her independent air that was quite alluring. It was challenging; it made a man want to prove that he could turn that prickly attitude intoa womanly softness. At the same time, it spoke of an inner passion, a wellspring of emotion far stronger than the usual feminine gentleness. He also felt a definite response to the soft curve of her breasts and hips beneath her ordinary dress. Last night, he was sure, there had been a time when she was leaning over his bed, and her hair was down, falling in a