‘And what kind of man would that be exactly?’ He advanced a step towards her, expecting her to retreat, but she only lifted her chin higher.
‘You have to ask?’
‘Indulge me, Miss Harper. Educate me, if you will.’ He lowered his face down to hers, so close that they were almost touching, daring her to answer. ‘Tell me just what it is that you find so very repellent?’
‘Everything! You’re a drunk and a gambler and...’ her cheeks flushed slightly ‘...a libertine!’
He drew back in surprise, a retort fading on his lips. That hadn’t been what he’d expected, not at all.
‘Are you saying that it’s my character you object to?’
‘Of course!’ She blinked. ‘What else would it be?’
He glanced pointedly down at his leg. What else indeed? He’d been so wrapped up in his resentment of her character that he’d never stopped to wonder what she thought of his. He’d simply assumed that she found his injury distasteful. In which case...
‘Then I’m curious to know why you have such a low opinion of me. Because of what happened at the ball? I believe that both of our fathers called me a reprobate.’
‘Partly.’ Her eyelashes fluttered perceptibly when he mentioned the ball. ‘And I’ve heard rumours.’
‘Gossip, Miss Harper? I wouldn’t have thought you one to indulge in that particular vice.’
‘I don’t, but I’ve still heard stories. Or are you saying they aren’t true?’
‘On the contrary, I’m sure they’re all true and worse besides. I doubt the whole truth would bear repeating in polite circles, especially to young ladies.’
‘Are you proud of your reputation, then?’
‘No, but I have so few other distinctions.’
Her eyes widened with a look of consternation. ‘I’ll never marry you!’
‘Then I admire your resolve, but you might think differently when you’ve had a little time to reconsider.’ He moved away from her, pulling the door shut behind him. ‘I trust you’ll be comfortable here.’
‘Wait!’ She caught at the edge of the door before it closed. ‘I have a friend. I need to send word that I’m all right or she’ll be worried.’
‘An accomplice?’ He half opened the door again, still blocking the way out with his body. ‘Was that why you were going to Helmsley, to meet her?’
‘No. That is...not her.’
He narrowed his gaze suspiciously. Did she have two accomplices, then? Her evasiveness suggested that one of them was a man—a lover? That was the most likely answer, though the idea of her having another suitor hadn’t crossed his mind until now. He didn’t like it.
‘If I could just send a message...please?’
He gave an unsympathetic snort. If she’d been going to meet a lover, then he had absolutely no intention of setting the man’s mind at rest so easily. If whoever it was wanted to marry her, then he ought to have come and confronted him man to man, not plotted an elopement behind his back.
‘No.’
‘But...’
‘No!’ His voice sounded even fiercer than he’d in
tended. ‘If you think that I’m going to send anyone out in this weather, then you’re even more of a little fool than I thought!’
She drew in a sharp breath at the insult, though she still didn’t flinch, staring back at him instead with an expression of intense loathing.
‘Then I’ll wait here until the storm clears. After that, you’ve no right to keep me.’
‘You’re absolutely right, I don’t. Though I doubt the storm will clear by tonight and unless you want to leave in the dark then I’m afraid you’re stuck here with me, a renowned libertine, and without, as my housekeeper so delicately pointed out, a chaperon. Whatever your plans for the future, I hope they don’t depend on your keeping a good reputation.’