Her chin raised at a slight angle of defiance. “I can manage on my own. And as you see, I am busy at the moment. I should think even you would realize it is rag-mannered to interrupt a tryst.”
The nobleman looked taken aback before his eyes narrowed with skepticism. “You intend me to believe you came here to meet your lover?”
“You may believe what you choose, my lord,” she replied sweetly.
It had taken Rayne little time to realize she was pretending a liaison with him in order to thwart her pursuer. Deciding to go along with the charade for the moment and play the part of her lover, he tightened his arm around her waist possessively and drew her closer to him.
“Ackerby, is it? You should heed the lady’s wishes. She has no desire for your company.”
His face darkening, the nobleman swung his gaze to Rayne. “Just who the devil are you?”
“I am Haviland.”
“The Earl of Haviland?” the man asked in apparent recognition.
“Yes.”
Rayne’s illustrious title gave Ackerby pause. Evidently it was one thing to pursue a defenseless, unemployed woman. It was quite another to challenge a wealthy earl who could clearly take care of himself and her as well.
“You have no business interfering, sir,” Ackerby finally retorted.
“But he does,” Madeline countered smoothly. “It is you who have no claim to me, my lord.”
Ackerby’s tone turned conciliatory. “I traveled a great distance on your account, Madeline. I am concerned for your welfare.”
“Indeed?” Her tone had gone dry. “I hardly think my welfare was your chief motive in following me. But I have told you numerous times, I am not interested in your proposition. Now perhaps you understand why. I already have a protector.”
She was more than holding her own, Rayne observed, yet he thought it time to intervene. “I suggest you take your leave, Ackerby, before I am compelled to assist you.”
The nobleman was clearly disbelieving about being dismissed—and furious as well. His gaze skewered first Rayne, then the woman.
“You have not heard the last from me,” Ackerby warned her before spinning on his heel and stalking out.
She had been holding her breath, but after a long moment, she shuddered in relief.
“Thank you for not giving me away,” she murmured, turning her head to gaze up at Rayne. “Truly, I did not mean to trouble you.”
“It was no trouble,” he replied lightly. “I daresay it flattered my vanity to play your paramour.”
Her cheeks warmed to a becoming pink. “I do not usually kiss perfect strangers—or anyone else for that matter.” Her attention shifted to the weapon he still held at his side. “May I have my pistol back, please?”
“It depend
s on how you mean to use it. You’ll understand my discomfort at the threat you presented when you suddenly appeared.”
Her mouth quirked. “You were never in any real danger from me. I only armed myself in case he tried to accost me. Baron Ackerby has … less than honorable designs upon my person.”
“So I deduced,” Rayne said. “Would you have shot him?”
“I don’t imagine so, but I thought it better to be prepared.”
“I take it he offered you a position in his bed and you refused?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Certainly I refused. I won’t be any man’s mistress. Particularly one whose arrogant manner drives me half mad. His conceit will not permit him to accept my refusal. But obviously I underestimated him. I did not expect him to follow me to London.” She glanced worriedly at the door again. “I believe I will wait here for a while longer, if you don’t mind the intrusion.”
“Not in the least, but I should think you would dislike being alone with a stranger.”
That brought her considering gaze back to Rayne. “I will take my chances with you. You appear to be a gentleman.”