Never Trust a Rogue by Olivia Drake Page A

found.
    She suppressed a shiver and forced herself to meet his gaze. “Yes, the IOU. I need proof of Lord Wrayford’s perfidity so that I can convince my parents he’ll make an unsuitable husband.”
    “Is there another man you wish to marry?”
    “No, of course not. I . . .” Lindsey stopped herself from blurting out that she had a better plan for her life, one that did not involve consigning herself for eternity to the custody of any man. “I find most noblemen to be either condescending bores or unprincipled rogues.”
    Mansfield made no reply. His eyes narrowed, he walked back and forth like a restless tiger contemplating its prey. His plain garb belied the usual veneer of the sophisticated lord and made him look more like a ruffian from the streets.
    As he paced, his calculating scrutiny served to magnify her trepidation. What was he thinking? Did he intend to wreak some sort of punishment on her? But what could he really do to her?
    What, indeed.
    Lindsey shifted on the chair as an alarming thought occurred to her. The Serpentine Strangler had attacked only maidservants. If Mansfield was the killer, then perhaps the sight of her in this mobcap and aproned gown would turn his mind to murder.
    Her heart thrumming, she started to rise. “I must return home at once. My mother will be wondering where I am—”
    “Sit down, Miss Crompton. Unless you wish me to inform your parents of your actions this morning.”
    The silken menace of his voice made her wilt back into the chair. She could imagine the fireworks that would ensue if Mama were to find out that Lindsey had come alone to a bachelor’s house, especially one with a reputation as a ladies’ man. And it would make matters even worse ifMama knew that her daughter had demeaned herself to playact as a servant.
    “You wouldn’t dare do that,” she challenged. “My father would be well within his rights to demand that you offer for me.”
    “Quite so.”
    His easy agreement worried Lindsey, as did the calculating smile that lifted one corner of his mouth. “You wouldn’t wish to be forced into a marriage to me,” she stated firmly. “I’m a commoner and far beneath your notice. So you had better let me go at once, lest you be caught in your own trap.”
    “As you yourself pointed out recently, I need to nurture a more respectable image for Jocelyn’s sake. The best way for me to do so is to acquire a wife.”
    Lindsey clenched her fingers in the folds of her apron.
Dear God
. What was he saying? That he
did
want to be forced into wedlock—with her? “There are scores of blue-blooded debutantes making their bow this season. Choose one of them.”
    He stepped closer, towering over her. “Ah, but I have
you
right here, ensnared in my web. You’ve saved me the trouble of sorting through all the other prospects.”
    He was serious. Aghast, she shook her head. “I can’t marry you. I won’t. We are dreadfully ill suited.”
    “Not in all ways.” He reached down to lightly caress her cheek with his fingers. “You enjoyed my kiss, Lindsey. We would meld well together in the marriage bed.”
    An involuntary shiver radiated over her skin, and she flinched away from him. Yet she could still feel the effects of his touch. It had ignited a burn deep inside her, while his dark, knowing gaze sparked the memory of being held in his arms.
    Jumping up, Lindsey moved behind the chair, keepingit between them as a shield. “You must be mad to think I would ever agree to such a scheme.”
    “Rather, it is the most logical of plans. You’ll accept my proposal, or else I’ll inform your parents of what happened here this morning and your father will force you into the marriage anyway. You really have no choice in the matter.”
    He had her backed into a corner. It would serve no purpose to involve her parents because the outcome would be the same. If they discovered what Lindsey had done, Mama would be in a cold fury, while Papa would give her that awful,