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Evie followed her gaze, and her heart clenched painfully in her chest when they landed on the tall, broad-shouldered man, his physique oozing masculine virility.

Michelangelo’s David could never compare…

Of course, the famed sculpture was simply carved out of marble, and the one before her was flesh and blood. It still did not make him any less a work of art, however.

No matter how horrible he was to her.

“Good afternoon, ladies!” the Duke of Sinclair greeted them, as charming as ever. “The flowers of the park pale in comparison to your radiance!”

Scarlett tittered. “Such a charming tongue you have, Your Grace. You do know how to make a lady blush!”

Being older than both Phoebe and Evie, Scarlett was easily more confident in her dealings with gentlemen, and she had no qualms about teasing them. She would even do the same to Daniel, although Evie had yet to see him reacting to any of her taunts with anything beyond a mild annoyance.

“Somehow, I do not recall giving you permission to go gallivanting about in the park.”

Evie fought hard to control the delicious shiver that ran down her spine when that smooth, low voice whispered in her ear, his warm breath fanning her sensitive skin.

She turned around and glared at Daniel, who looked most displeased by her excursion.

“And I somehow do not recall being your prisoner,” she shot back at him haughtily.

“Hmph.”

Evie wished he would take a step back from her.

Or maybe not.

Maybe he can stand by her side as long as he wished…

The moment those thoughts crossed her mind, she wanted to bash her head against a rock.

Have I truly become so depraved because of this man?

He truly was a rake. A scoundrel of the very worst order.

“If you were my prisoner,” he continued in that rich, dark voice of his, “you would not be able to leave my room. I shall have you bound to my bed…”

Evie shuddered. Her breath came out in shallow gasps. Desire pooled unbidden in her belly.

She whirled around and glared up at him. “Very funny, Your Grace.”

This time, he stood back with a self-satisfied look that she longed to wipe off his face with a good slap.

Or maybe I should kiss that smug look off his face? Let him know that he is not the only one capable of doing the most shocking things—what is wrong with me?

Evie could not have wanted to go home more than she did at that very moment, except that her home, for the time being, was Ashton Hall and not Blackthorn Estate. There was truly nowhere she could run to keep herself safe from the decidedly devastating effect this man had on her will and logic.

She was about to stomp off to keep up with Scarlett and Phoebe when she felt a strong hand clasping her wrist.

“I meant what I said last night,” he told her darkly. “As long as you live under my roof, you must obey every word I say.”

She shook his hand off her person, and with a haughty smile, she told him, “You do not own me, Your Grace.”

Never mind that the implications of that word—obedience—sent a delicious thrill through her, she finally managed to stomp off to join her two companions, who were casually chatting with the Duke of Sinclair as they promenaded in a most leisurely fashion.

Evie did not need to turn around to know that Daniel was probably glowering at her.

Let him stay angry.