Page 34

“And now we straighten…” Angel said, her light tone belying her stone-cold expression.

“Whatareyou doing?” Reuben stopped in front of the ladies.

“Exercising, of course,” said his aunt.

Angel directed a glare at him. “I suppose this is where you tell me your aunt should be inside, doing something dull and safe, away from all dangers.” There was an edge to the way she said dangers, and he could not quite figure out why.

After all, she was the one putting herself in bloody danger by traipsing around unescorted at night.

“Aunt, if I may, I would like a word with Angel.” How he kept his tone so measured he did not know.

His aunt swung a look between them and smiled. “Of course. I could do with a little nap after our exercise anyway.”

“But, Mrs. Stone…” Angel protested.

“Speak to Roo, dear. I find myself quite tired.” She gave a yawn that was almost certainly forced.

Reuben waited until his aunt was out of hearing distance and thrust a finger at Angel. “You want to tell me what you were doing in a gaming hell last night?”

She opened her mouth then closed it, her brow creasing. Her gaze scanned his no doubt bedraggled appearance andcolor crept into her cheeks. She shook her head marginally and straightened her shoulders. Reuben recognized the posture all too well. She was preparing to go to battle.

Well, he’d be damned if he’d lose this one. He’d already lost his heart to her and what a miserable experience that had turned out to be.

Her brow puckered fiercely. “Who told you?”

“You have no explanation?”

“Oh, I have an explanation, but it’s not one you deserve,” she shot at him before turning on her heel and dashing toward the walled garden.

She darted behind one of the walls, and Reuben had to take a moment to gather himself. This was not what he had anticipated—her running off and hiding from him like a child! Shaking his head, he followed after her and found her tucked up on a bench, her legs drawn up into the cocoon of her arms. She shot him a resentful glare.

“Just leave me alone,” she muttered.

“I will, when you stop acting like a petulant child.”

Her eyes flashed. She released her legs and rose slowly, elegantly. Suddenly the child was gone and an aristocratic woman was in her place. The problem was, either version made him want to take her into his arms and kiss her until that hateful look had vanished from her eyes. And that would not help his cause at all.

He clasped his hands behind his back to prevent himself from reaching for her. “Well, are you going to tell me why it is you risked harm and your reputation to frequent a gaming hell? Why you put yourself in such a position for a silly bit of fun? Damn it, Angel, if you want to visit one of those places, I could have arranged such a thing with myself and one of the serving girls.”

A bitter smile crossed her lips. “Oh, yes. I suppose that would be my only motivation would it not? A silly bit of fun? Everyone knows Lady Angel Templeton lives only for silly bits of fun.”

Reuben finally took a long breath. “No, I do not believe that. Once, I might have,” he admitted. “But I do not believe that now.”

“But—”

“So will you tell me the real reason you visited?” he asked with as much calm as he could muster.

“No.”

“No?”

“No.” She twisted away from him. “I will tellyounothing.”

“Damn it, Angel.” He took her arms and spun her toward him, keeping a hold of her. She wriggled in his hold but he would not release her. “I have little idea what I have done to offend you, but I will not tolerate this nonsense any longer. You at least owe me an explanation of your recent behavior.”

“I owe you nothing!”

“So that kiss was nothing? You really feel nothing for me?” The words rushed out before he had a chance to consider what he was saying.