Unconventional Suitors 02 - Her Unconventional Hero by Ginny Hartman Page A

need to be about tonight.”
    “Business?” he asked, confused. “This is a ball, surely you have nothing more important to do than to dance and flirt and steal away into the gardens for some secret kisses with your lover.”
    Adel blushed and whacked him solidly on the arm with her fan. “My lord, you know I do not have a lover.”
    His eyebrows rose perceptibly. “You could if you wished it.”
A raw hum of desire vibrated between them, but Adel wasn’t sure if it was radiating off of him or if she was the source. “My lord, you are too brazen. First you ask me to be your wife, now your lover?”
    “I did not ask you to become my lover, just implied that if you were seeking, I was willing.”
    Adel would have slapped any other man who dared be so bold with her, but the startling thing about Lord Straton’s offer was that for a moment, she actually considered accepting. Perhaps that is why she didn’t react in the way she ought to have.
    “I’m surprised you haven’t sought to inflict bodily harm on me yet,” he commented when she failed to respond at all. “Or flat out refused my intentions.” His hand sought her face, tilting her chin up so that she was looking into his eyes, eyes so dark they were hard for her to read. “Perhaps you are more tempted by my suggestion than you let on?”
    Adel blushed as she swallowed loud enough for half of the room to hear. “I thought we were friends,” she managed to barely squeak out.
    “Oh, but we are. But let us not set limits on what that can mean, or where that friendship could lead.”
    “What do you mean?” She hated the way her voice sounded, so weak and unsure.
    “I’m beginning to think quite fondly of you, Adel. That is what I mean. Is that acceptable to you?”
    “I suppose,” she managed to mutter, then wanted to curse. What kind of an answer was that?
    Lord Straton laughed heartily as he scooped her into his arms and quickly joined in the waltz that had just begun, leaving her breathless. “I’m beginning to wonder what it will take to impress you. You refuse my direct proposals and remain unmoved by my admissions of fondness. Perhaps you are eager for flowery poetry and lavish gifts. Is that what it will take to move you?”
    Adel was thoughtful. Truth be told, his abrupt proposal had been off putting, but his sincere admission that he was growing fond of her had delighted her more than she had let on.
    Taking her silence as agreement, he continued, “I must warn you that I am no Byron with the pen. I am afraid my attempts at poetry would only insult you. However, I can procure lavish gifts with ease.”
    Adel seemed to find her voice. “You cannot give me lavish gifts without raising concern and causing a scandal. It wouldn’t be appropriate unless we were to be wed, or I was your mistress, which of course is insulting.”
    “I’m relieved that you don’t find the thought of wedding me insulting.”
    Adel rolled her eyes. “You are missing the point. It would not be appropriate for you to bestow upon me gifts of great worth.”
    “If that is what it would take to secure your affections, I would do it regardless.”
    “Oh Griffin,” Adel sighed, afraid he was getting the wrong impression of what kind of person she was. “I do not wish for your gifts, for things have never impressed me overly much. I’d much prefer your honesty and friendship to diamonds and bonnets.”
    “But I have already given you those things,” he reminded her gently.
    “And I treasure them above all the jewels in the world, I assure you.”
    ***
    Adel’s mind kept wandering back to her conversation with Lord Straton as she scrutinized the occupants of the ballroom. Once again, Lady Grace and Lord Crestin were suspiciously not in attendance, unless she had somehow managed to miss them in the shifting crowds of people. She reached her hand up to rub her temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache. She was debating whether she should tell Aunt Tabitha that