How to Beguile a Beauty by Kasey Michaels Page B

decades. There’s really no way to know, is there?”
    â€œDo you still want my company at Malvern Hall? You might be happier not knowing if the Pride is real or not.”
    Tanner shook himself out of his unhappy thoughts. “I’m not inviting you just so you can screw that damn fool thing to your eye.”
    â€œNo, of course not. You’re also inviting me to assure yourself that, until you’re healed at least, I won’t tumble into trouble here in town when you’re not here to haul me out of it by offering up yourself instead.”
    Tanner smiled, and then pressed a hand to his face, because the smile had set his cheek to throbbing. “Believe me when I say that it was never my intention to be horsewhipped in your place. Had I known you were there, hanging about in the shadows, I would have pointed Molton straight at you.”
    â€œNo, you wouldn’t have done that. You would have done just what you did, sacrificed yourself. You should really strive to stop doing that, my friend. That’s why good men die, Tanner, when the bad among us seem to lead charmed lives. Somehow, it would seem the Lady Lydia knows that.”
    Now Tanner did laugh, and the hell with his wound. “She called me stupid.”
    â€œClearly a young woman of superior intellect. You’ll also notice that she did not scream, didn’t fall into a faint. A very admirable woman, as well one with a singular beauty to rival that of the angels—a sure attraction to a bad man like me. I’ll give you one last chance. Are you quite positive you don’t want to warn me off?”
    â€œIf I said that I’d rather you made a dead set at her, would you believe me?”
    Justin frowned, looked at Tanner intensely. “You invite competition? Why? Does this have something to do with her dead captain? You were serious about that?”
    â€œI keep attempting to tell myself that, yes.”
    â€œThen, if I’m understanding this correctly—as far as our small farce goes, that is—the loquacious Miss Harburton is not cast in the role of future Duchess of Malvern?”
    Tanner shook his head. “Definitely not.”
    â€œAdmitting again that I was listening at the door, that’s not what your cousin seems to believe. I think, and I’m rarely wrong, that he’s already harboring thoughts that you’ll be declaring yourself at some time during our brief sojourn in the country.”
    â€œHe thought I brought her to London to declare myself. If I say bless you to Jasmine when she sneezes, Thomas is certain I’m about to declare myself. It doesn’t matter where we are.”
    â€œIn that case, bear with me for a moment more. I think I understand now,” Justin said, holding up one finger as if just struck with an idea. “Is my presence on the scene to have more than one purpose? To be compared to you and found wanting by Lady Lydia—more fool you, if you’re hoping for that—and also to romance the little chatterbox, thus keeping her occupied and out of the way? Quite the sacrifice on behalf of my poor ears, I might point out, although she’s a pretty piece. It was only a horsewhip, Tanner, wielded by a fool more than half in his cups. Only one small blow you could have easily avoided if you’d only—”
    â€œFeinted to the right. Yes, I remember.”
    â€œOr perhaps to the left. It all happened so quickly, I could manage scarce more than to stand there and admire your prowess.” Justin pocketed his loupe. “I could win her, you know. The fair Lady Lydia, that is.”
    â€œThen I wouldn’t have lost her, would I, because she would never have been mine to lose.”
    Justin’s smile was wry, and almost sad. “There’s that pesky honor again—don’t you ever find it tiresome? But I do see your logic. At least you won’t have lost to a dead man.”
    Tanner employed the decanter