How to Entice an Enchantress by Karen Hawkins Page A

umbrella stand that sat to one side of the great doors. “Why did you accept the duchess’s invitation?”
    “That’s none of your business.”
    “Like hell it isn’t.”
    Good God, how had she allowed her sense of righting an injustice overcome her good sense in having nothing to do with this man ever again? “You are so high-handed.”
    “And you are so stubborn.” His gaze flickered over her. “Sadly for me, you appear to great advantage when you’re angry.”
    “You are the most—” She blinked. “I beg your pardon, but what did you just say?”
    To her surprise, a grin glinted in his eyes. “Your cheeks flush, and your eyes sparkle. It always makes me wish to kiss you.”
    She opened her mouth and then closed it. In all of her dealings with Lord Kirk, he’d never once tried to kiss her. “You’re just trying to throw me off balance so I won’t argue with you.”
    “If I wished that, I’d merely agree with you. That’s all you really want, isn’t it?” He grinned, his arms crossed over his chest. “For me to agree with you?”
    Her anger instantly began to melt. He was just so handsome when he smiled that way. Thank God he doesn’t do it often.
    Calmer now, she supposed it wouldn’t hurt to tell him her plans. Perhaps it would settle this awkwardness between them. “I’m here because I wish to fall in love.”
    Whatever he’d expected her to say, that apparently wasn’t it, for his smile disappeared. “I find it disappointing that a woman of your intelligence believes in such mishmosh.”
    “Well, I do believe in it. And I asked my godmother to help me, too. Why did you think I’d come?”
    “To contract a marriage.”
    “That’s the same thing.”
    “Hardly. Do you think most of the married couples we saw at the table tonight married for love? If even two of them did, I’d be surprised.”
    “I don’t care about them; I decide my own path. I’ve no need to marry for money, as my sisters have graciously seen to my dowry. But I want love. I’ve always wanted love.”
    He rubbed his scar. “And I want compatibility, peace, and someone who enjoys the books and music that I do.”
    “I want that, too—but in addition, I want passion.” She spread her hands. “Don’t you want that, too?”
    “Passion is for fools and youth. I’ve had passion.”
    “Well, I haven’t. But before I leave the duchess’s house, I hope to have found it.”
    “Damn it, Dahlia, you can’t just look for love. It has to find you. And when it does, you’ll realize that it’s a fool’s game. It is the opposite of peacefulness and happiness.”
    “You are so cynical! I don’t know how I ever imagined that you could overcome that hard heart of yours, but I clearly see that you cannot.”
    Kirk scowled. “You don’t know me.”
    “And you don’t know me. You think you do, and you think a few months of conversations has given you some sort of right over my future—when it hasn’t.”Somehow during their argument, she’d closed the distance between them and they were now standing almost toe to toe, her finger poking his chest with every word she uttered. “You listen to me, Lord Kirk, you with your sour disposition and your cynical determination to spoil the idea of romance—I will and shall find it on my own.”
    “You’re headed for heartbreak. I only want to spare you—”
    “I don’t need you to spare me. I’m a grown woman.”
    Kirk could have disputed her on that one, but he wisely held his tongue.
    “And I am here to find love”—she poked his chest—“and romance”—she poked again—“and passion! And you will not interfere with that. You will cease tossing your depressing predictions in my path and leave me alone . Do you understand?”
    He had never seen her so animated. Her skin was flushed, her eyes sparkling with—yes, passion. But it was her mouth that suddenly held his gaze. Had it always been so plump and full? Why hadn’t he noticed before, when they’d