How to Entice an Enchantress by Karen Hawkins

would know if she’d actually understood what she was reading, but alas, she allows society to dictate her taste and not her own mind.”
    Dahlia looked about the room. “There are a lot of silly people here, aren’t there?”
    “I dare you to find two who’ve read Reade’s History of the Roman Empire and can discuss it with anything close to intelligence.”
    Dahlia wondered if Lord Dalhousie read many books. He seemed intelligent enough. She’d ask him as soon as she was able.
    She suddenly realized that Kirk had noticed where her attention had turned and he was also regarding Lord Dalhousie, his expression anything but pleasant. “That man is a fop.”
    “He is not. He is a very amusing, kind man, which you’d know if you’d attempt to speak to him.”
    “He’s a damn fool.” Kirk turned back to her. “Do you know why I came to the duchess’s house party?”
    “No. It can’t be for society’s sake; you hate society.”
    “I came to speak to you.”
    She blinked. “To speak to me? But . . . why? We have nothing to say.”
    “We have plenty to say. I’ve made some errors, and I’d like to repair the damage those errors have done.”
    “I don’t wish to discuss our past.”
    “I do,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument. “And I wish to do it now.”
    And there go our new manners. She finished her champagne and placed the glass on a nearby table. “Lord Kirk, pray excuse me, but I would like to find Lady Charlotte and ask about using the library.”
    “I’ll escort you.” He took her arm.
    “No, thank you.” She disengaged from his grasp. “I prefer to visit her on my own. It was pleasant speaking with you, and I must say it’s gratifying to know that not everything has changed about you. Good evening and—”
    “I’m not through talking, Dahlia, and neither are you.”
    She clamped her lips together to hold back a very unladylike retort. After a moment, she managed to say, “You cannot tell me when I’m through talking and when I’m not.”
    “Like hell I can’t. I came all this way, learned all of these societal rules, just to speak with you. You cannot just walk away.“
    “Yes, I can. I didn’t ask you to go to those extensive lengths, my lord, so don’t hold that up as a weapon to cudgel me into a conversation. We can be civil acquaintances while we’re here at her grace’s house party, but I have no wish to reclaim the friendship we once had.”
    “But I—”
    “No. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll say good-bye and—”
    His hand closed over her wrist and, without ceremony, he grabbed his cane and pulled her to the nearby doorway.
    Dahlia was left with two choices. She could go with him and spare them both the embarrassment of a public fight, or she could dig in her heels and make a scene. It was tempting to try the latter, but althoughshe was furious with his high-handed ways, she was also aware of the critical gazes that followed them, especially those of Lady Mary and Miss Stewart.
    Infuriated, she put on a smile and placed her hand over his to make it seem as if they were merely walking into the foyer together under the watchful eyes of the duchess’s servants.
    As soon as they were out of sight of the other guests, she yanked her arm free. “Look here, Kirk, you can’t—”
    “Hold a moment.” He turned to the two footmen who stood at attention at either side of the doorway. “We need a few moments alone.”
    The footmen exchanged wide glances. One of them gulped. “Me lor’, shall I fetch Mr. MacDougal fer ye?”
    “You will fetch no one. Leave the hall for ten minutes. You may come back then. If you do so, I shall reward you each with a guinea.”
    The footmen exchanged glances and, with a bow, left.
    Dahlia, her arms crossed, her toe tapping impatiently, turned to Kirk the second they were alone. “Who do you think you are, forcing me to leave the salon in such a manner?”
    “I want to know something.” He stuck his cane into the gold