The Earl's Outrageous Lover by Elizabeth Lennox Page A

me.  I put more value on myself than you do and think that my prospects are much better than men who step on my toes and can’t dance and talk at the same time, or some guy who has mother issues.  So just stay out of this!”
    She started to turn around and walk away, but once again, he stopped her and turned her back so she was facing him.  This time though, he had her back up against the ballroom wall and he was looming over her.  She tried to pretend it didn’t impact her, but this side of Edward was downright intimidating.  “No, Jessica.  This is the way it’s going to work.  I took on this task and I’m going to see it through whether you like it or not.  We’re going to get you married to someone who will treat you well and who you have a small amount of affection for and you’re going to go about your life making babies or traveling or whatever else it is that you want to accomplish in this world.  While that is happening, you’re going to listen to my advice and honestly assess the men I introduce you to.”
    “And if I don’t like them at all?”
    “You mean after you’ve given them a fair chance to represent themselves?”
    She bristled at the implication that she hadn’t given the previous two men a chance to show off their best sides.  But she didn’t think either of them had a good side so she had no qualms about dismissing them.  “I think I give everyone a fair chance before I know whether I am attracted to them or not.”
    He looked at her lovely features, those soft, brown eyes looking up at him like he’d just kicked her new puppy and he felt like an absolute heel.  Relenting slightly, he stepped back and rubbed a hand over his face briefly.  “How about if we get through tonight and I’ll introduce you to as many men as I know?  You can also point out any men who look interesting and if I know them, I’ll make the introductions.  If I don’t know them, I’ll find out who they are, do some research on them and get back to you.  Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up for lunch and you can go into more details about the kind of man you find attractive and we can continue this search.  Is that acceptable?”  he asked wearily.
    “No!  That’s not acceptable!  I refuse to be a charity case, Edward,” she hissed.
    She started walking out of the ballroom, grateful that most of the other guests were already in the dining room so her exit was easier since the crowd had thinned so much.
    She made it all the way out of the building before Edward stopped her.  “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”  he demanded.
    Jessica glared right back at him, but refused to answer him.  Instead, she stepped to the curb and raised her hand, intending to catch a cab and go home.  A good book would be more pleasurable than this kind of treatment.
    “Stop it,” Edward growled.  A moment later Tim pulled up and Edward almost pushed her into the back seat.  When the limousine was pulling away, he turned to face the spirited woman beside him.  “Now explain to me why you’re so upset!”
    Jessica wasn’t sure how she could explain it if the man really were that obtuse.  “I can’t believe that you could kiss me one moment, then shove me into the arms of another man the next.  Doesn’t that seem like a bad sort of evening to you?”
    He rubbed his hand over his face in frustration and nodded.  “You’re right.  I apologize.”
    She was so livid, she didn’t even see the warning signs.  All she knew was that she was hurt and confused and she wanted to be away from the man who was causing these feelings to overwhelm her.  “Just leave me alone, Edward!”  she snapped and turned away from him.
    “That’s just the problem, isn’t it?”  he snapped right back at her.
    Jessica was just about to turn back to him and ask him to explain but she felt his hands on her upper arms.  The next thing she knew, she was on his lap, his hand dislodging the pins in her hair as he