A Scandalous Proposal by Kasey Michaels Page A

that was the bane of her red-haired existence. Perhaps she was more like Mari than she’d considered. “Don’t be facetious, my lord. But now that we’ve gotten that settled, what are we going to do next? And please don’t say we’ll be adding the viscount to our hunting party. I don’t believe he would approach the problem with as much gravitas as I would like.”
    â€œHe said you’d say that. But I’m afraid we may not have much choice. You might want to sit down again, Miss Foster.”
    â€œI’ll stand, thank you.”
    â€œVery well, I suppose I can allow you to be stubborn when it makes no difference to me. We still do this with the understanding that I am in charge of anything over and above whether you choose to sit down or stand up. Agreed?”
    â€œIf I have no choice. Go on.”
    â€œThat said, being in charge, it naturally follows that you’ll be taking orders from me. You are not to circumvent those orders, you are not to improvise, you are most definitely not to question those orders. You are not to think up anything you believe to be a better solution than mine and go off on your own, leaving me to chase after you and pick up the pieces.”
    Yes, he already knew her very well. How had that happened? Did she have a warning sign pasted to her forehead, that only he could see?
    â€œI hesitate to point this out, but you’re sounding more like a tyrant than a hero. That said , I suppose I still agree, since it’s clear you’re leaving me no other choice if you’re ever going to get on with this. That ticking clock, remember?”
    â€œHow you inspire my confidence, Miss Foster. Unfortunately, it has been pointed out to me, rather strongly, that I also have no choice where you’re concerned. You see, Miss Foster, your sister is not the only person being blackmailed. I, too, am a victim of your sister’s secret admirer.”
    Dany sat down. She sat down so quickly she nearly missed the bench entirely, but grabbed on to the front of it with both hands. “I... I beg your— What did you say? ”
    The baron raised his eyes toward the chipped, painted ceiling of the chapel, as if running his own words through his head for a second time. “Our mutual blackmailer is extorting money from the countess for her innocent indiscretion, and from me via threats that need not concern you. That’s clear enough.”
    â€œNo,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t think it is. Are you less than a hero?”
    â€œI’m not a hero at all, having only done what seemed sensible at the time. If not for those damnable chapbooks, I would be on my new estate now, learning how to grow turnips, Quatre Bras far behind me and forgotten.” He ran his fingers through his hair, probably in disgust, but Dany thought the gesture charming. “I’m sorry. There’s no need for you to know why I’m being blackmailed, other than to say I’m certain the same person is harassing your sister, and probably many more than the two of us.”
    â€œWhy would you think that?”
    The baron sat down beside her once more and explained his theory, and that of the viscount, putting forward the idea that the blackmailer had cultivated an entire list of victims, and not without some help from those he may have recruited to ferret out secrets.
    â€œServants, barmaids, shopkeepers. His most probable allies would be establishments in Bond Street, businesses frequented by the ton.”
    â€œShopkeepers? In Bond Street?” Dany whispered, and shivered. “No, she was entirely helpful. Or was that too helpful? But she did hang about on the other side of the curtain, and send Mari’s maid away. And to be so handy with an answer? Oh, how could I have been so stupid!”
    â€œAre you enjoying this conversation you’re having with yourself? Apparently not, would be my guess. I gather you’re