Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn Page B

must know, I am dreading every moment of it. I have no love for the nobility, and the thought of spending several hours in your ranks makes my blood run cold.”
    â€œAnd what have the nobility ever done to you to warrant such distaste? Failed to marry you?” His eyes narrowed to slits. “Tis a pity your plans went so awry. You toiled so tirelessly to achieve your goal.”
    â€œI have no idea what you're talking about,” she said, utterly baffled.
    â€œDon't you?” he mocked.
    â€œI need to be going.” She moved to her left to try to get around him, but he blocked her. “Robert!”
    â€œI find myself loath to part with your company.”
    â€œOh, please,” she said disdainfully. That was a lie if ever she heard one. His eyes were clearly showing his disgust for her.
    â€œDon't you believe me?” he asked.
    â€œYour words and your eyes are not in agreement. Besides, I learned long ago not to trust a word out of your mouth.”
    Robert sparked with fury. “What the hell does that mean?”
    â€œYou know very well.”
    He advanced, forcing her to back up against the wall. “I was not the one who lied,” he said in a low voice, jabbing his forefinger against her shoulder.
    Victoria glared at him. “Get out of my way.”
    â€œAnd miss this extremely edifying conversation? I think not.”
    â€œRobert! If someone sees us…”
    â€œWhy the hell are you always so concerned about appearances?”
    Victoria's anger grew to the point where she was shaking. “How dare you ask that?” she hissed.
    â€œI dare a lot, darling.”
    Her hand itched. His cheek was very close, and it would look so good with a nice red welt on it. “I will ask you one last time—”
    â€œOnly one more time? Good. You're getting most tedious.”
    â€œI shall scream.”
    â€œAnd alert the masses whom you are so assiduously trying to avoid? I think not.”
    â€œRobert…”
    â€œOh, for God's sake.” He whipped open a door, snatched her hand, and hauled her into a room, slamming the door behind him. “There. Now we're alone.”
    â€œAre you mad?” she screeched. She looked wildly about her surroundings, trying to figure out where she was.
    â€œDo try to calm down,” he said, standing in front of the door, looking very much like an implacable god. “This is my room. No one will walk in on us.”
    Victoria snorted. “This isn't the guest wing.”
    â€œLady H. ran out of room,” he said with a shrug. “She put me near the family quarters. Because I'm an earl, she said.”
    â€œI am well aware of your rank and all it entails,” she said, her voice pure ice.
    Robert let that barb pass. “As I said, we are now alone, and we can finish this conversation without your incessant worrying that we will be discovered.”
    â€œDid it ever occur to you that perhaps I just don't like you ? That perhaps you are the reason I do not want to be alone with you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œRobert, I have chores I must attend to. I can't be here.”
    â€œI don't see how you're going to leave,” he said, leaning against the door.
    â€œStop jeopardizing my position. You may be able to return to your privileged life in London,” she said in a furious, low voice, “but I do not have that option.”
    He stroked her cheek insolently. “It could be an option, if you should so choose.”
    â€œDon't!” She wrenched away from him, hating herself for loving his touch, hating him for touching her. She turned her back on him. “You insult me.”
    His hands came down lightly on her shoulders. “It was meant as the highest of compliments.”
    â€œA compliment!” she burst out, pulling away from him yet again. “You have a warped set of morals.”
    â€œThat is certainly a bizarre statement, coming from you.”
    â€œI am not