Velvet Embrace

"Not unless she means to use me again as a target for her various weapons. It is unfortunate that she dislikes me so much. I was looking forward to some pleasant entertainment during my stay."

"Dominic, Brie is no lightskirt. If you're planning anything, you had better be serious. But I'll tell you now, she isn't your type. Besides," Julian added with a grin, "Brie is the tiniest bit angry with you at the moment."

Dominic raised a mocking brow. "I'll be damned, I do believe you are warning me away. I find that novel, coming from you. Like the pot and the kettle, isn't it?"

"If it were any other woman I wouldn't object, but you hurt Brie and I'll carve your liver out."

Both of them knew his threat wasn't to be taken literally. In the first place, Julian was far too civilized to carve out anyone's liver, and in the second, he didn't have Dominic's prowess with pistols or swords, even if he was quite a skilled sportsman. But he wouldn't hesitate to defend Brie if she were threatened— not even against his closest friends.

Dominic clearly understood Julian's position, but in spite of the warning he didn't mean to relinquish his pursuit. He hadn't had a challenge like Brie since the war, and he wasn't about to give it up now. And there was still the mystery of why she was so afraid of him.

Dominic smiled blandly. "My dear Julian, I have absolutely no intention of harming the lady. I shall be perfectly charming. In fact, I'll wager that by the time I leave, she will have no reason to fear me."

His reply was not particularly reassuring, but Julian decided not to press the point. Instead he exerted himself to make his guest feel welcome, beginning by telling Dominic what he had planned for their entertainment.

Dominic listened with only half an ear, for his thoughts were centered on Brie. He hadn't liked the fact that she had lied to him about her identity, and he still wasn't sure why she had done so. Some women, given similar circumstances, would have tried to force his hand. Society expected a gentleman to marry a young woman he had compromised—and being stranded in a hunting lodge, with a man of his reputation and without a proper chaperon, certainly qualified asa compromising situation. Not that he would ever have bowed to that kind of pressure. But Brie would have had the perfect opportunity to attempt it.

Of course she might truly be uninterested in marriage or in landing a title for herself. But Julian had to be mistaken about her level of sophistication, Dominic decided. No woman that beautiful could be as chaste and innocent as Julian had made her out to be. Besides, he knew from personal experience that Brie was no innocent. She might not be some elderly gentleman's mistress and she might not be particularly expert at lovemaking, but her response to him had been far from virginal.

Dominic's lips curved in a smile as he remembered the feel of that lithe, feminine body in his arms. She has responded to his kisses with her own brand of passion, very sensual and very desirable. He wanted her, despite her hot temper and sharp tongue. And he would have her, he didn't doubt. Very few women had been able to resist Dominic Serrault when he chose to be charming and persuasive.

Not even the haughtiest and most reluctant.

Chapter Six

"What do you plan to do, Brie?" Caroline at last ventured.

They had ridden home without speaking a word, and when they reached Greenwood, Brie had gone straight to her room and flung herself face down on her bed. Caroline had followed, appropriating a corner of the bed while she waited for Brie's misery to diminish.

At the question. Brie rolled over on her back and flung an arm up to cover her eyes, "I don't know," she said bleakly.

"I expect you are too upset now to reflect on the situation calmly, but in my opinion, you have only one choice."

"Murder is a capital crime, cousin, I don't think the satisfaction I would get would be worth hanging for."

Caroline smiled, pleased to see Brie's spirits reviving. "That isn't what I had in mind. I think you should apologize to Lord Stanton."

Brie opened her eyes to stare at her cousin. "He wouldn't forgive me, especially not after what I did to him two weeks ago. He thinks I knew my point was unguarded and that I purposely attacked him."

"I declare, Brie, one would think you were a child. How can you know so little about the male ego? I suppose it comes from living for so long away from society and not having the opportunity to watch your sisters grow up like I've had. Of course he would forgive you. In fact, I doubt if anything could make his lordship feel more wretched than a sweetly worded, humble apology."

Brie considered the advice, but then shook her head. "I couldn't do it."

"It might hurt your pride a bit, but believe me, it would be effective. You cannot keep fighting him the way you have, on his terms."

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously.

"Merely that you aren't using what advantages you have. Men hate it when a female challenges their masculinity—and most particularly when one competes in what they consider their natural domain. I had never met Lord Stanton before today, but I'd heard rumors about him. He's credited with being a rake, the kind who always has a string of mistresses in keeping. So, play the game Lord Stanton understands. You're a very beautiful woman, but dressed as you are now, in breeches and top boots, you can hardly hope to attract a man like him."

"But I have no intention of trying to attract him!"

A twinkle lit Caroline's brown eyes. "Antagonizing Lord Stanton further would not be very wise on your part."

Brie gave her cousin a reluctant smile. "I'm well aware of that. But what do you suggest? I've never been able to act the coy young maiden, and I wouldn't know the first thing about playing the coquette to a philanderer."

Caroline laughed. "You don't have to be completely wicked. If you go about it the right way, you will soon have Lord Stanton wondering how he could ever have treated you in such a boorish manner. You have only to be charming and civil to render him harmless. But you'll have to remember not to fly into a pet if he teases you or makes you angry. You must accept his provoking remarks with equanimity and grace, smiling sweetly at him to show he hasn't the power to affect you."

"He will think I am flirting with him."