by Diane Gaston
He scowled darkly. ‘There are many ways in which to have fun, Genevieve,’ he drawled softly. ‘And I believe, if you were to reflect, that you would realise that I have a much better...understanding of them than Sandhurst.’
She raised her brows. ‘Perhaps one day I might consider comparing that...understanding, and so decide for myself if that is so, but not today.’
Lucifer frowned darkly. ‘You are being extremely naïve in believing you will only be asked to enjoy “adventure and fun” with one such as Charlie Brooks.’
Genevieve was having fun right now, if truth be told. She had been very young when she married Josiah, with little opportunity to flirt with other men before that marriage; but even so, she had absolutely no doubts that she had now piqued Benedict Lucas’s interest by refusing to be in the least attracted to his dark and brooding good looks.
She might indeed be as naïve as Benedict Lucas had just accused her of being in regard to the behaviour of the gentlemen of the ton, but she was not stupid, and a man such as he would obviously see no challenge whatsoever in the easy conquest he had so obviously believed Genevieve might be to his lazily arrogant charms. It was, she acknowledged with wonder, quite deliciously enticing to know that she had aroused the interest of such a dangerous and elusive gentleman...
She gave a shrug. ‘As I said, I wish to be wooed a little before I would ever consider taking any gentleman as my lover.’
‘Sandhurst—’
‘—sent me flowers and chocolates earlier today. Accompanied by a beautifully worded card.’ She smiled at the memory.
‘Only because he is hoping to entice you into sharing his bed later this evening!’
‘I am aware of that, of course,’ Genevieve acknowledged with a cool inclination of her head. ‘But Sandhurst hoping for such an outcome to the evening will not make it so.’
Had Benedict ever felt such frustration and anger with a woman before? He could not remember doing so. Indeed, he rarely if ever allowed himself to express strong emotions of any kind. Which was not to say he did not feel them, only that he chose not to reveal those emotions to others. ‘I fail to see anything in the least romantic in Sandhurst plying you with flowers and chocolates, and prettily worded cards...’ his top lip curled up with distaste ‘...for the sole purpose of expecting you to go to bed with him immediately after the two of you have dined privately together.’
Genevieve eyed him mockingly. ‘And would you not have expected the same from me, without benefit of flowers and chocolates and prettily worded cards, if I had agreed to meet you at Lady Hammond’s ball later this evening?’
He snorted his impatience. ‘If that is so, then at least I have been honest in my intentions.’
She gave him a pitying glance. ‘Perhaps too much so...?’
His nostrils flared. ‘You are an extremely aggravating woman, Genevieve!’
She gave a surprised laugh. ‘Now that truly is honest, Benedict.’
Those black eyes glowered across the carriage at her. He gave an impatient shake of his head. ‘You will find me at Lady Hammond’s ball later this evening if that should be your choice.’
She gave another cool inclination of her head. ‘I will keep your gracious offer in mind. Now, if you would not mind...?’ She glanced pointedly towards the carriage door, leaving Benedict with no other choice but to alight from the carriage before turning to offer Genevieve his hand as she stepped down beside him. She gave him another cool nod before turning to gracefully climb the steps to the front door of her home, which opened immediately for her entrance before closing firmly behind her.
All, Benedict noted broodingly, without so much as a backwards glance in his direction...
A Reputation for Notoriety
ISBN: 9781460313701
Copyright © 2013 by Diane Perkins
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