Chapter One

Glasgow 1826

Evan Murray stretched then yawned as he woke himself. He was feeling lazy, definitely lazy. At least he had every intention of doing as little as possible until his disagreement with his brother as well as the University of Glasgow ended. He’d never been so bored in his entire life. This dean-imposed sabbatical was going to be the death of him if this new and unique assignment didn’t beat layoff to the punch. Pulling out his pocket watch, he realized he was a half hour late. He found his hat and pulled it onto his head.

When he was issued the warning from the University of Glasgow to either apologize to the student or not return to his classes until he could do so, he said to hell with them all then walked out the front door. It wasn’t as if he needed the groats. Dean Ritter had the scenario all wrong. Didn’t take the time to listen to all the facts. His older brother, Duncan, was just as bad, agreeing immediately with the dean.

Evan was an outstanding professor, one of the best.

The devil with them all!

Duncan firmly planted himself on the opposing side also, not bothering to hear him out. Told him in no uncertain terms he couldn’t work for him either until the necessary apologies were given. How the hell could it hurt him to apologize?

His unrelenting, stubborn pride would be in agony.

He pushed himself off the hard bench where he’d been dozing. Stretched one more time to ease his tense muscles. He’d been on edge for the past two days mulling over all that happened that afternoon. Once again feeling betrayed as well as used by his brother, he decided there was no need to rush. He didn’t owe anyone his time even though it seemed others disagreed.

The lady he was here to escort, his new assignment, could wait until he was good and ready to find her. After a quick perusal of the coach station, he realized she must have gone outside to look for him. The devil, searching for her was on him, finding her before something happened was crucial. If he lost the woman, he’d never get back in his brother’s good graces. The woman was a friend of his brother’s wife. The only thing that could happen was that she would give up on him then hire a coach herself. If she did, that wouldn’t be so bad. He could always find her at the hotel. Well, he’d have to admit he failed. He didn’t know what hotel she planned to stay in. That was a little matter his brother neglected to tell him.

He tapped his finger on his chin, thinking. What was her name, Betsy Darling? He hoped she was darling. Amusing himself during the interim might be fun. If he found a stimulating woman, this assignment might not prove too boring. Though, at the moment, he wasn’t entirely certain what he was supposed to do with her except deliver her to a hotel. What did Duncan tell him? That the woman would give him the list of duties she required.

The argument that cost him so dearly was over a young woman, a student at the university. In his mind the young pup who he found in a back storage closet with a student’s dress hiked to her waist should be doing the apologizing, not him. Of all the possible outcomes, Duncan agreed with the university. That fact surprised him even though Duncan gave him numerous reasons why he did so. One was that he might want his job back. The boy, student, should have chosen the location for his tryst more carefully. While the girl seemed willing enough, a storage closet on the second floor of the biology department was not a place of romance. The boy obviously wasn’t romantic, just filled with lust. The other problem was that the lad’s father had some title along with a great deal of wealth and power. Evan’s family also possessed the same pedigree. So, why was he the scapegoat?

Evan didn’t need to work. He only did so to stimulate his mind as well as cultivate new friendships. He enjoyed almost all aspects of teaching. Nonetheless, his older brother was a financial investor, no, a financial wizard. The devil, Duncan made them all rich. Several years running, the last ten to be exact, Duncan doubled and sometimes tripled their holdings. There was enough invested as well as in the bank he’d never be able to spend all the easily-earned groats. If he wished to do so, he could sit back, idle away his time as well as twiddle his thumbs. He could afford to keep several mistresses. His townhouse was in the nicest neighborhood in Glasgow. He’d gone all out in furnishing the place, paying meticulous care in the bathroom, having custom made a tub that would easily hold two perhaps even three people. In the bathing chamber there was a large stove with plenty of room to keep water warmed to add to the tub if he wished to remain there for more than a few minutes. Ah, he could use a good long soak. His muscles were sore from doing nothing.

Damn, he was going to miss the university, the everyday challenges, the learning environment. He sifted in a huge breath of stale air, thinking about everything that happened. There was nothing he would change. The altercation had not been his fault even though he sported a couple bruised ribs because he attempted to reprimand the student. The boy reacted badly when he opened the door.

His annoyance grew ten-fold every time he thought on the experience. In the first place, the boy shouldn’t have been tossing the young lady’s skirt in a public building. In the second place, if they hadn’t been so verbal while making love, he would have never opened the door to the store room to see what was happening. His first thoughts had been that a young woman might be in trouble. In the third place, if he’d taken a moment to think over what he heard, he should have known what was going on having listened to the sweet sounds of ecstasy from numerous women. No, he had to interrupt them right when they climaxed, when the boy emptied himself inside the girl and she screamed out his name.

Even he, a notorious rake, felt the swell of heat rush to his face when he realized what had just happened. Only to himself would he admit embarrassment. The boy turned on him, outraged in his own right. Before the youngun’ hit him, the boy didn’t even right the woman’s corsage or smooth her skirts to cover her lily-white thighs. A protective instinct should have surged through the boy. The interesting part was that he was witness to a pair of beautiful white breasts, topped with rosebud nipples coupled with long shapely legs. Perhaps he understood why the boy couldn’t wait to find a more appropriate place to sexually engage the young woman. She was a beauty.

At the time, after the first punch, he didn’t intend to hit back. The boy tackled him. That little incident changed everything. The skirmish was on. Evan recognized the fact his temper was hot, the hottest of all his siblings. He was always the first to rush into a fight, especially if that fight was for a good cause. Self-defense seemed to be a good enough reason for him, reason enough. Good God, the boy attacked him after hitting him square in the jaw. In his mind, the boy should have been disciplined then and there for hitting a tenured professor. Now, he was the chastised man.

The woman who was fornicating inside the closet, along with the students gathering around them, cheered the student, encouraging him to continue the altercation. Several other teachers finally came to the scene then pulled him off the boy. Having felt incensed, he was not easily pulled away. He swung a few more good punches just so he’d feel more satisfied, leaving the student with a bloodied nose. Evan imagined that very fact was most likely one of the main reasons he was asked to take a sabbatical from teaching until he cooled off enough to apologize. No way in hell would he lower himself to tell that young man he was in the wrong.

At this point, saying he was sorry just wasn’t going to be part of his speech. He could hold out until hell froze over. Working wasn’t necessary for him to live splendidly.

Damn, he’d only been away from his students for two weeks. He missed each and every one of them, especially the few young women who were admitted to the school. Admittance for women was a rare event. The ones he taught were amazing, brilliant in every case. He took great pride in the young women when they graduated. Most of them ended their schooling with honors, humbling their male counterparts. More than most anything he respected an intelligent woman. If she was also beautiful, even better.

He enjoyed composing classroom lectures, creating challenging tests. The grading was always interesting, especially when new, creative ideas were put forth by his students in their essays. The only part of his teaching assignment he didn’t relish was that part which involved busy work set forth by the administration. Now, his schedule was blank. In the interim, he was left with nothing to do during the day, nowhere he wanted to go. He hoped the woman he was supposed to escort for the next month or months would prove stimulating. He stifled a yawn, examining the room once more. As far as he could tell, he was the only one at the station.

His sister-in-law was into tracing characteristics of humans such as eye color among the many. Caroline wanted a position at Glasgow University until she held her baby in her arms. Eventually, she might pursue her academic dreams. As it stood now, his brother and his wife were so enamored of each other that wouldn’t happen too soon. They had one child. Another was on its way in about four months, give or take. Neither could say when the baby had been conceived. Even taking care of a baby they could not keep their hands from wandering. From what he gathered from whispered conversations at the family dinner table, they had sex just about everywhere as well as anywhere. Once he spread a cinnamon-sugar-butter concentration on her breasts so he could lick and suck the sweet confection from her. The devil, he suddenly wondered if Duncan spread the sweetness to other more intimate places on his wife’s body.

He groaned. Even thinking about such things concerning his brother was none of his business. He shouldn’t even know about what they did in private. It was just that they were so verbal when they lusted for each other.

Stretching again, moving his shoulders to push out the kinks as well as to keep his mind on a different train of thought than sex, he looked around the waiting room realizing he wanted something just as enduring as what his brother found. Possibly, the woman he was supposed to escort could provide an interesting diversion for the short time he was obligated to see to her needs. He grinned. He would see to any needs she wished him to see to. That undoubtedly would not lead to a lasting relationship. What the hell? Right now, any kind of sexual relationship would help him get through each boring day, would ease his body as well as his mind.

His breath stuck in his throat. What if she wasn’t someone…well hell, he just assumed she’d be as beautiful as Caroline and Scarlett. She was, after all, their friend. What did Caroline say? That she was a colleague of sorts. That she met her at the university in London? She could be…long in the face, a veritable old maid. She might be well and truly on the shelf sporting a horse-face. Caro said she wasn’t a debutante. What the bloody hell did that mean? How old was this woman? If she wasn’t a debutante, did that mean she wasn’t a virgin? He didn’t want a virgin. All he wished for now was a passionate woman, in his arms, beneath him, astride him on her belly in front of him, her delicious backside in the air. Someone who would give as well as take, a willing sexual bedmate. He wasn’t looking for a partner in life.

He groaned again, suddenly wondering if the woman was in her forties or even her fifties if she had white hair. He was tied to this woman for the next month or more. His body lost all thoughts of a quick dalliance or even a long one. The woman was a scholar, he assumed. She would not be interested in sex, only book learning. That couldn’t be possible. Caroline wanted a child so she seduced his brother. She was a scholar, brilliant in her field. In reflecting back on their journey to marriage, he was certain they seduced each other. His brother had been forced to wed because Caroline conceived. That had been her intention. She plotted their times together. Suddenly, he wished to run in the opposite direction. If he ever wanted his life back, he could do nothing of the sort. In a sense, the most important people in his life hog-tied him to this lady.

Something else he resented. This woman owned his life for the next month or more. The time they spent together was up to her. Where they went was up to her. She would be in control, controlling and directing him to her whim.

A high-pitched child’s squeal followed by a cheerful British voice distracted his musings. He turned to search for the source.

“Please do let go of your sister’s braid, Reggie. If you don’t, I’ll be quite cross with you. You wouldn’t like me to be angry, I can assure you.”

The woman turned her attention to a little girl, shaking her finger at both children. “For you, Victoria, there is no need to carry on so. If you hadn’t licked him on his nose, he wouldn’t have grabbed your hair. Now apologize to each other then behave yourselves.”

Evan jerked before he grinned as he saw the woman barreling through the front door with two young children in tow. The first thing he noticed was her hat, a perky confection with several white feathers sticking out in all directions from the rim. She wore a muslin traveling gown with lace edging along the top of the corsage. The lavender skirt swirled around her. She was moving so quickly he caught several glances of neatly trimmed ankles.

With one hand she hung onto a young boy, along with a bag the size of Scotland. In the other hand, she held a mean-faced little girl, a parasol that matched the color of her gown, lavender along with a deep purple bag bulging with newspapers, books, and another parasol this one was sunshine yellow. He realized she was quite fetching in an unusual sort of way. He found himself intrigued.

Her light honey-kissed hair curled this way and that way from beneath the brim of her deplorable hat. Whatever enhancements to her face she started out with that day were long gone. She blew strands of errant hair that must be tickling away from her face.

From Evan’s point this lack of added color on her face was possibly a good thing because even without color she had about the most sensual mouth he’d ever seen. It was wide with a plump bottom lip and top lip that formed into a distinct bow at the center. He was suddenly touched with the notion he wanted to taste that lower lip, tug on the plump flesh with his teeth. Her jaw was firm. Her cheeks were baby doll round, the bones finely sculpted. Her nose was a bit narrow, not thin enough for him to lose interest. To Evan her best part were her eyes. She had the most amazing pair of thick-lashed cornflower blue eyes that peeked out from skin that was alabaster so very creamy he thought of lapping up the cream.

He mentally redressed her in a sheer lavender negligée, one where he could see every glorious curve she possessed. There were times he’d kept a mistress. For some reason after the incident at the university, he let his current lady go. He never went to brothels for sex. Doing so was just too dangerous to a man’s physical well-being. As he thought earlier, this woman could keep the boring out of his life until the dean decided he needed him more than he wanted an apology. She might wish for some extra groats in order to take care of the two hellions who tagged along beside her. He would consider setting her up just for him. After that he would employ a nanny to take care of the demons while they played in the big bed he would buy for her apartment.

To his surprise, she looked at him, her eyes bright with what appeared to be instant recognition. “Mr. Murray?” She blinked a few times. Those sooty, long lashes rested on her cheeks for but a moment.

Fantasy intruded on reality. As he gazed at her then the children his stomach turned sour. This couldn’t be the woman he was supposed to escort. He was never told about children. They couldn’t be hers. Of course, they could. She didn’t appear old enough to have two children. The notion she seemed to be expecting him, told him this could only be Betsy Darling, the woman Evan agreed to babysit for the next weeks of his semi-retirement. Duncan never mentioned anything about children. He damn well wasn’t about to take these children in tow no matter how much it would mean to his reinstatement. He was suddenly put off so thoroughly he choked.

Evan recognized after the fact that he automatically nodded in response to her question instead of hightailing himself out of the station and straight to his waiting coach with the earl’s emblem boldly printed on the side. With a heavy breath of air then just as heavy a sigh, he couldn’t pander to his fears. More than anything he needed to get back to work. He had to make the best of this situation. Next semester wasn’t that far away. He didn’t have time to prevaricate.

“Wonderful,” she beamed, her eyes alight with mischief.

The next instant she charged forward, skirts swirling around her tiny ankles, sucking him into more carnal thoughts that he now fought instead of encouraged, dragging the children as well as the parasols while her newspapers and books waved in the bag and her honey painted hair flew around her doll-like face. The lavender feathers sitting atop her hat danced in the wind created from her swift rush toward him.

Looking at her exhausted him. She constantly moved.

She let go of the little girl, grabbed his hand then began to propel it up then down. For a tiny woman she had a lot of energy in that shake. “Enchanted to meet you, Mr. Murray.” The feathers swayed and floated around the brim of the hat. “Betsy Darling.”

The little boy drew back his foot and, before Evan could dodge out of the line of fire, kicked him hard in the shin. “I don’t like you! You have mean eyes!”

Mean eyes?

The wind was suddenly knocked from him. Evan glared at the boy. For this child, his eyes were mean. Well, he didn’t like him either. For a moment he thought about smacking the rude-mannered lad or turning him over his knee. After he put that thought behind his teeth, he thought about smacking his sister-in-law along with her friend Letty for setting him in this horrendous situation. They were the perpetrators of this ridiculous adventure with a woman. By God, she had two kids! What was a man like him to do with two kids who didn’t like him?

With her brows furrowed together, Miss Darling turned to the boy. Instead of smacking him on his hindside or reprimanding him as he so thoroughly deserved, her golden brows drew together in a miniature scowl. With the softest voice imaginable, she spoke, “Reggie, dear, remove your finger from your nose. Having your appendage there is most unattractive. Now, apologize to Mr. Murray. There’s a dear boy.”

Finally, someone who was asked to apologize to him.

The hellion wiped his finger on his buff trousers. Now, he had green slime across one thigh. With a sound of disapproval in his voice, he pulled out his handkerchief to wipe the smear off his pants. After that he tossed the handkerchief in the garbage. This was the second time he’d been attacked and no one offered an apology.

Evan was just about getting ready to toss the boy into the same pile of refuse when another lady rushed toward them. She was waving her hand in the air, her skirts raised high so she could move faster. She was pleasantly plump. Her considerable bosom bounced then swayed as she rushed forward. Her dark hair was tied up in a plain bun. She wore a dark brown muslin gown that did nothing for her bland coloring. She was breathless when she spoke. “Thank you for watching the children for me. How were they? Reggie, Victoria, were you good for Miss Darling?”

“Perfect angels,” Miss Darling replied while he stood in front of all of them, his mouth gaping open in obvious astonishment.

“You can’t be serious?” he bellowed.

Then, when the other lady glared at him, he stepped back. The better to get rid of these two brats before something else happened he wouldn’t like. More snot on his clothing would never be appreciated. He found himself quite pleased to see the children leaving, walking with the second lady to some point unknown. A few minutes ago, he had a nightmare about these children accompanying them in the coach. They would have demolished the interior before they could find the hotel. Now, he had other ideas. His mind jetted back to his earlier carnal thoughts with this lady, thoughts before he noticed the children clinging to her.

“Well…” Miss Darling smiled at him, a tiny dimple forming at the corner of her mouth, a very kissable dimple. “Are you ready?”

Was he ready? Ready to make certain the next weeks weren’t boring? Hell bells yes. Evan felt dizzy he was so ready. Part of his emotions might have been the shock he was just getting over. The rest of it might be the way her eyes twinkled, drawing him into some type of web she was weaving around him.

“Are you?” she asked again snapping him out of the nightmare turned dream he wallowed in. She was pointing her parasol at him, right at his chest, at his heart. He didn’t like that. “We need to pick up my luggage.”

The devil, he was eager for anything she could toss his way except for the absurd parasol pointing coupled with the commands she spouted as if she was a general. Unintentionally, he snapped to attention then offered his arm to her. She accepted, her hand resting lightly on his forearm, the parasol tucked beneath her other arm. Her bag swinging from her free hand.

“Yes, where would you like to go?”

He expected her to ramble off a downtown hotel. For the moment he had other ideas. Ideas that were rapidly taking shape in his head.

“Something to eat first would be nice, maybe a cup of hot tea along with a scone or something sweet. I do love sweet things.”

She looked at the vendors outside the station as they stepped through the door.

Evan loved sweet things too. She looked pretty darn tasty. Sweeter than sugar. A little bit spicey too.

He supposed food would be in order. “What would you like?”

“Not too much, just something to tide my stomach over until dinner time. We ate early this morning. Since we were behind schedule, the driver wouldn’t stop at the noon hour. I’ve been tossed around quite handily as were the children. That is why they were grouchy. They truly aren’t that bad. A long trip such as the one they endured would put anyone out of sorts.”

Evan had other ideas about the devil children she referred to. If he never saw them again, the moment would be too soon. Nonetheless, he wasn’t about to get into an argument over their rude behavior. “They aren’t going to show up again, are they?”

“No. You don’t like children?” she questioned, her scowl once more marring her beautiful forehead.

“Good God, not those children!” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he understood he should never have uttered them. On a much calmer note he tried to make amends. “I love my nephew. He is two.” Evan suspected his nephew could become just like the little boy he just encountered. He decided he loved grown children, children who were nearly twenty or older. By his mind, those hellions needed a good spanking or at least their noses in a corner so they could think about what they did.

“They’ve had a long journey from London,” she told him with the utmost sincerity as well as resounding patience, her words sugar-coated. “A trip like that is hard on little ones. Have you ever ridden in one of those coaches all the way to London?” She perused him from head to toe. “No, I don’t suppose you have.”

“You like to make excuses for bad-mannered behavior. He smeared his snot on my trousers! The boy kicked me! Hard. I’ll have a bruise.”

To his ears he sounded ridiculous. A grown man complaining about a child’s kick was preposterous. He’d been hurt more by his brothers when they wrestled. He imagined it was the idea that bothered him more than the deed.

“I’m not at all certain this arrangement will work out. Caroline assured me you were most compatible, that you were an esteemed professor with infinite tolerance. I didn’t expect to be met by a man with violent tendencies. Vicious tendencies toward mere children.”

With that said she stepped back appearing to wait for him to make a statement.

Violent tendencies? Vicious?

By God, she was tapping her toes, her arms crossed beneath her breasts. Well, that wasn’t bad. Her arms pushed her delightful globes up higher. He appreciated the view. Taking a moment to evaluate this further, he replied, “I am. We will be compatible. I must be,” he mumbled.

Backing out of this would make him ecstatic except for two things. One, he wanted his job back before hell froze over. Two, he wanted to get to know this woman better, a woman who was beginning to fascinate him. Evan realized he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted another woman. The errant thought was uncanny.

“That is not what you’ve just shown me,” she countered appearing to bristle more with each passing second. “You wanted to hurt that little boy, Reggie. Didn’t you?” she accused. “Admit it.”

He liked the way her bosom heaved when she was angry. Anger could easily turn to passion. Revealing those tender globes would be enjoyable. He would have to fight his way past this issue over the children. He decided ignoring her was this best alternative to an answer.

They stopped in front of a food cart. If he fed her, she would lose her pique. “Would you like to get that food now or later?”

He pointed to benches situated beneath a tree. While the weather wasn’t hot, the sun was shining. Shade would be nice. He would calm her concerns with soothing words, perhaps a glass of wine instead of a cup of tea would do the trick.

“Tarts are fine,” she told him, her British inflection giving him reason to smile at her. She marched up to the cart looking the food over.

Was she implying he was a tart? Men couldn’t be tarts. He imagined he could be a bit sour though. He ordered two lemon tarts, wine for them. His stomach grumbled. Possibly a bit of food coupled with a good Chianti would soothe his temper. Though with each passing second away from the demon children, he found himself much more amiable. He was beginning to relax.

They sat down on the bench. He watched her for several seconds. She ate daintily, sipped the wine. He decided he would try out his big tub with her as soon as possible, as soon as he could convince her he was harmless. He imagined her rosy-tipped breasts bobbing on the surface. She couldn’t possibly be a virgin. She was too old to still have that barrier inside her. As beautiful as she was, she must have had a lover at some time. He didn’t believe he dared ask her age. If he did, he wouldn’t be surprised if he caught her wine in his face. Two could play at any game she created. He wouldn’t mind licking, or drinking the red drops off her lips or any other part of her. The tips of her breasts would be incredible to suck on.

“Why are you here in Glasgow? Caroline told me you are a scholar.”

That line of questioning was much blander than asking her age or if she was still a virgin. If she wasn’t, he needed to know who her lovers had been.

Miss Darling nodded. “I assure you, Mr. Murray, that fact is true. I’m researching for a book I intend to write. I’ve only just begun the exploration.”

“Evan.”

She looked up from her half-eaten lemon tart, a startled expression on her angelic, baby-doll face. The cornflower blue eyes pointed his way darkened. “What?” She blinked a few times as if she didn’t understand.

“Please call me Evan.”

His voice was rough around the edges. He imagined how dark those eyes might be when she reached her pleasure. He supposed his brother would not be pleased with his train of thought. What the devil could Duncan expect when he placed an older, experienced woman on his doorstep? He handed her to him on a silver platter. If Duncan wasn’t married, he would have thought the same way.

He watched her bosom rise then fall, still enticing, still intriguing. Discovering the treasures beneath her dress became a priority. Would she be a willing bed partner? He would have to discover the truth soon; else he might just explode. The sweet-talking could commence when he drove her to his townhouse. He wasn’t about to take her to some squalid hotel in town. She would stay with him. At her age, she wouldn’t care about her reputation.

“Evan.” She nodded seeming to accept his first name as the way she would address him.

He wanted to call her Betsy. So far, she didn’t give him permission. Powdered sugar dusted her plump lips. He wished he dared lick the sweet confection until there was nothing left. His body was a tight hard knot of lust, his sex hard as a boulder.

He wasn’t about to wait for permission. Placing her hand in his he lightly kissed the back thinking he’d rather kiss the powdered sugar off her mouth. “Betsy.”

He turned the palm up then kissed her there making sure he brushed his tongue across the sensitive flesh.

The rose color blush rising to her cheeks was delightful as was the way her pulse thundered at the base of her neck. He imagined how fast her blood would race when he stroked her, caressed, and kissed every part of her especially the soft moist folds between her creamy, white thighs. She was proving to be every bit the woman he imagined her to be.

Her lashes lowered softly against her baby doll cheeks, shielding her eyes from him, keeping him from reading her emotions. His finger beneath her chin, he lifted her face. She ran her tiny pink tongue across her chubby bottom lip whisking away the sugar. The devil, he had more thoughts about that curvy, swelled bottom lip than he should have.

After he set her hand on the table, she sipped her wine, watching him over the rim. She was skittish, nervous. The sudden shivering of her shoulders mesmerized all his male parts. He made her that way. In this case, she wasn’t telling him to stop, to cease his blatant perusal of her. His gaze wandered from her eyes, to the slight swell of her breasts he could barely see above the fabric of her gown. Her waist was trim, her hips curving nicely, rounded beautifully for a man’s hands. She might even now be hot and wet, her nectar sweet as honey in the most secret parts of her.

He shook himself back to the reality of this moment. His sexual thoughts were for a different place and time. At the moment, he needed to make certain she wanted him to drive her to the destinations she had in mind. If she changed her mind and didn’t want him for her driver, she would have to approach her from a different angle. He wasn’t willing to let this woman go quite so soon. If she was agreeable, he had big plans for them.

Thinking this was way too fast, too soon. Wooing a woman, one wanted always worked better in the long run versus the short term.

“Why are you staring at me?” Her words were feather soft, enticing him to more blatant thoughts.

Her hands fluttered in front of her curvaceous bosom.

“Was I?”

He tilted her a rakish grin. One he knew could turn hearts. “Didn’t realize I was.” Once more his gaze swept her length.

She waved her hand in the air as if to blow away his question then shifted her position. “You were. It is very rude of you. You should have a few manners. I’ve met your brother. He’s quite the gentleman. Were you raised by the same parents?”

Evan sucked in air. If her words got back to Duncan, his brother would never forgive him. What he wanted from this relationship he would have with Betsy was forgiveness from Duncan so he could go back to work. If she spoke to his brother about his behavior…he didn’t want to think of the consequences.

Though, he didn’t intend to apologize for his wayward thoughts or sight-seeing the most tempting parts of her luscious body. Leaning back against the bench, he crossed his arms over his chest as he began to explain the reasons for his bad behavior, “I’m the second son. Our parents ignored me completely since I wasn’t intended to be the earl. You see, I’m the spare. Hence…the problem with manners. I was never taught.” His parents would have a fit of apoplexy if his words got back to them.

Her plump bottom lip met the sweet bow of the top one in a scornful thin line. He was happily amused. “I don’t believe a word you are saying.”

“Suit yourself.” He stared at her plate. It appeared she was finished. He rose, extended his hand to help her to her feet. “Shall we leave?”

~ * ~

This was her time to take a good long look at the man who intrigued as well as fascinated her. She meant to assess his attributes just as he did hers. When he stared at her with those golden-brown eyes of his, she grew hot all over. Her body seemed to hum to life when his golden eyed stare rested on her bosom. Crisp, dark brown hair curled rakishly from beneath the top hat he wore that looked so at home on his head the fashionable prop might have been permanently attached. His navy frock coat covered a broad chest, one that she would like to discover more intimately. The buff trousers fit his long legs as if they were a second skin. They molded to narrow hips. Going back to his legs they were both lean as well as muscular. She noted the shiny black boots reaching nearly to his knees. His face featured a well-constructed nose, strong cheekbones, a well-formed mouth, and most assuredly strong white teeth. His eyes were the color of golden honey surrounding a deeper brown interior. At times when he starred at her they grew so dark they appeared black. His lashes were long and dark, curling just a bit at the tips. Outrageous for a man to have eyes like that along with lashes so long. They made him strangely vulnerable. Evan would never be defenseless.

Her cursory inspection told her all she needed to know about this man. While she wasn’t experienced in amore, she’d dealt with men like him on a daily basis. They just weren’t so blatantly gorgeous as this fine male specimen. When she closed her eyes, she tried to imagine what he would look like if he wasn’t wearing anything. After she opened her eyes, she saw indolence, in his slouching posture, arrogance in the angle of his chin, along with the flicker of something unmistakably carnal in those sultry half-lidded eyes, golden eyes. All in all, she knew she wanted to know him better. She was thrilled he was going to be her driver, her escort around Glasgow.

She repressed a small shiver of what she thought could be desire. He certainly aroused passionate emotions in her, sensations she wasn’t quite certain she understood. They were both standing by the bench. He held her hand in his. She thought the moment had come to move on to something else before she started drooling. While she knew he baited her, she tried to keep her thoughts to herself.

“Let’s be off then, Mr….Evan. You are, after all, a bit late to begin with. Whatever kept you? I’ve been waiting for you to show up. I do hope no one has taken my luggage.”

She extended her bag for him to take. Instead, she hit him in the chest. The Glasgow Herald fell out along with a few of the lemon drops she’d been bribing the children with. The paper was open to the section she’d been reading while she waited, the advice column on love written by her friend, Caroline, his sister-in-law if she understood correctly. Her bribes didn’t have the desired outcome with the children. Maybe she could bribe this man. Back to the countess, amazingly Caroline became a countess when she wed Evan’s older brother.

Betsy bent to pick everything up just as he took a step forward. The brim of her wide hat bumped his thigh. Her hat flew off to join the pile of items on the floor. She hadn’t noticed the ribbons loosening as she’d been so caught up in her perusal of the big handsome man who was going to escort her around town. After that she’d been so disconcerted when she caught him staring at her bosom, she lost all train of thought. Caroline told her he had extensive knowledge of the best libraries as well as museums in Glasgow. He was well read, intelligent as well as funny. At this moment, he appeared more disagreeable than intelligent. So far, he hadn’t been funny at all. Despite those facts, he held her spellbound.

She set the hat back on her unruly curls. To her dismay, or was the feeling delight, he tied the ribbons, his knuckles brushing gently beneath her chin. Her gut tightened. Butterflies danced inside her belly. After that dragons breathed fire. “There, you won’t lose the darn thing if it’s properly attached. Though, I do like to look at you better without the confection on your head.”

“Sorry, of course, you’re right. I do forget to fix the ribbons when they loosen. I was thinking about other things.”

She wasn’t normally clumsy. In this instant, she was so distracted by her troubles lately that her best friend in London told her she was in imminent danger of turning into one of those ladies all males put on the shelf then don’t take another look at. The crux of the matter was that her best friend was right. She always had her nose in a book. Never took the time to pay attention to the male species. It wasn’t as if she wasn’t interested. She was. She just didn’t have time for them. After her one and only debacle with one of the male species, she was quite terrified of a repeat performance.

She didn’t like the idea of being labeled as a spinster or on the shelf when she was barely twenty-five. Though she knew women younger than herself bore the nametags. The thought depressed her unbearably, so she didn’t allow herself to mull over the thought more than when the horrible notion popped into her head as it had today. Besides, if everything went according to her plans, that worry would disappear. Despite Caroline’s assurances that Evan was a rational man, after his behavior with the children she wasn’t at all certain she believed her. Nonetheless, she was desperately hoping he would see something in her he couldn’t ignore. In this situation, she would have time to get to know the man.

Evan didn’t help her collect her possessions nor did he offer to take her bag, which gave more credit to the notion his parents left him on his own because he wasn’t to become the next Earl of Downberry. How much initiative could be expected from a man who had been born so physically blessed? She could drum it up to the fact he was ignorant, but he wasn’t. No, he as well as all his brothers were quite brilliant.

“Let’s be off then.”

She pointed the exact direction with her closed parasol. Betsy understood she was repeating herself. With this man, she needed to make certain he understood all her desires.

She nearly reached the long walkway to where she assumed the carriage waited before she realized he wasn’t following her. She turned to see what exactly was keeping the darn man.

He was staring at her parasol as if he wanted to break it into two pieces. It was a perfectly ordinary parasol, one that all women used to keep the sun from ruining their complexion. She couldn’t imagine for the life of her why he seemed so mesmerized, or perhaps it was anger she saw in his expression. Maybe he wasn’t as brilliant as she’d been told. Possibly, his brothers caught the bulk of the intelligence while he positively got the amazing male body. She couldn’t be happier. In this case she didn’t so much care about brain power. His perfect masculine body would delight her.

“You…uh…always point the direction you intend to walk like that?” he asked, his voice seeming now to be coated with sugary sarcasm. “I don’t need you to direct me with that thing of yours.” His voice held a wealth of mockery.

Betsy glanced down at her lavender parasol then back at him, confused by the question. She didn’t understand what he seemed to be implying.  She continued as if he didn’t say anything negative to her. She jabbed the air with the parasol. “We need to get my trunk. I was just…”

Finally, she began to understand of what he spoke. She lowered the parasol before sticking it into the bag she was carrying, suddenly embarrassed by his pointed question. The words he uttered stung. The tone of voice far from flattering. She got the distinct impression he didn’t like her.

“I know that,” he spoke softly before he took an angrier tone. “I’m not going to be led around by my nose or by your damn rain napper!”

Or by you. She heard the distinct words even though he didn’t utter them.

“Well then.”

She couldn’t help but use her hand in lieu of the parasol, wishing she hadn’t put the thing into her bag. She wasn’t about to be dictated to by an arrogant male even though his body appealed so very much to her.

He developed a slightly dazed look before motioning to her with his hand. “Never mind. Doesn’t truly matter.”

Twenty minutes later the driver had her trunk loaded onto the carriage. She found herself sitting across from him. The coach was well-sprung, comfortable, more than comfortable. She’d never ridden in anything this…comfortable or with such an appealing looking man sitting across from her.

Betsy bounced on the seat, feeling like a child. She almost clapped her hands together before she thought better. One of his dark, brown eyebrows rose in speculation. They hardly said a single word to each other over the last twenty minutes. She was growing increasingly wary that her plan that he seduce her was not going to come to fruition. It seemed he looked disdainfully at her from almost the moment he first saw her. She did want to lose her virginity…and to this man. Caroline explained to her that she held the utmost confidence in Evan Murray’s ability to do so gently, tenderly. First, the man would have to like her.

“You aren’t going to take me everywhere in this. I can’t afford the rent it would cost me.” Her dismay must have been evident to him when she heard him laugh slightly.

“Rent? I’ve no intention of renting this one. My brother owes me. He will allow me to have the use free. It’s not as if this coach is the only vehicle at his disposal.”

“Oh,” she mouthed softly. “Never thought of that.”

Betsy did an excellent job tutoring children in London. She was always able to receive amazing recommendations from her employers when she was forced to move on because the children were too old for her talents. Since there was always time between employment there could be weeks even months when she had no income. She would have to use her meager savings to support herself in those cases. As a result, she was operating here with limited funds. The use of a coach free of charge would certainly help.

“Free,” he told her again.

She couldn’t quite hide her embarrassment. “I’m afraid there has been a misunderstanding, Mr. Murray. I’m operating on a limited budget. I can’t afford the upkeep for this vehicle or the feeding of the cattle. You say it’s free. Well, sir, nothing is free. We must use something different. I told Caroline I could only afford to pay my escort ten pounds a day; that would include the maintenance of the vehicle. She told me ten pounds would easily cover your services. It can’t possibly be enough to cover the cost of the earl’s carriage. He would want more. I’m certain of that fact. The driver would cost me. No, you must find some other vehicle to use when you escort me.”

“Ten pounds a day?”

He appeared stunned.

Betsy wanted to believe her head was pounding from the long ride in the bouncing, swaying coach she took to reach Glasgow, but she’d always been a good traveler. The ride never bothered her before. Now, she was deathly afraid this headache had more to do with her escort along with the costs that seemed to be looming in front of her. Costs she could ill afford. She didn’t come from money as the Murray’s did. She couldn’t afford their lifestyle. He would have to understand.

“Free,” he reiterated as if she wasn’t cognizant of all the other factors.

“I will not take advantage of your brother.”

Communication from this gorgeous man was more difficult than dealing with her slowest students. She’d heard that brilliant men were hard to talk to, that they somehow went through life on a different level than normal people. Even after the earlier incident with the children then the food, it had taken her forever to get him to the location of her trunks. After that he didn’t lift a hand to help put them on the coach. No, he allowed the elderly, frail driver to do everything.

“This is way too embarrassing.” She would have to explain in no uncertain terms what she could manage to pay him only if they were conservative. “I believed Caroline would have discussed all this with you. You’re expecting more than ten pounds, aren’t you?”

She found herself tapping her foot, a habit she absolutely detested in herself. Despite her every effort to stop, when she grew frustrated or angry, she always found herself with a tapping foot. She supposed the act was similar to the pointing of her parasol.

Once again, the man appeared to be ignoring her. She wished she could read his mind. Doing so would certainly help her figure out how to proceed. He moved so slow. A tortoise could move more quickly. Her eyes strayed one more time to the well-developed muscles his clothing couldn’t completely conceal. Wouldn’t a person actually have to expend energy to build muscles like that?

“Well,” he paused, smiling at her, “I guess that depends on what besides escorting you to libraries and museums the groats are supposed to cover.” He took her bag with the two parasols protruding and set the item aside. “I’ll have to give this grave consideration before I decide what to charge.”

She sucked in a breath of air, wondering what in tarnation he was speaking about. “We need to return to the posting station so we can come to an agreement as to the cost of your services. I need to know exactly what you will be expecting from me, money to cover…your services.” She was babbling. If she knew it, Evan must know it too. “We’ll have to draw up a contract.”

“Too far away. Don’t want to walk more than necessary. We’re not turning around. We can discuss this further in the carriage on the way to your lodgings.”

He crossed his arms then leaned against the soft leather cushion. Before she could mention anything else, he tapped on the roof. The coach began to move, slowly at first then the vehicle picked up speed.

She panicked for a moment. Her destination had never been explained to him. Where the devil was he sending the vehicle? “No! You must stop this! Where are we going. I never told you the address of my hotel.”

“I’m taking you to a very nice but cheap place where you can stay free of charge. Since you are so concerned about finances, I’m merely helping you out. You’ve no need to worry.” He closed his eyes seemingly unknowledgeable of her distress.

For a second, she thought he might fall asleep. She held the distinct feeling he was late picking her up because he was sleeping. “You can’t just take me somewhere without my permission. That’s…that’s kidnapping!”

After opening his eyes, he lifted a dark brown eyebrow before slanting her an amused half-grin. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. So, for now, just settle back and relax. You look a little haggard around the edges. A nap might be in order. Promise you will like the place. If you don’t, you can always leave.”

“I don’t have a say in this?”

Her hands were shaking. She was always the person in control. He ripped that from her, the overbearing lout

“No.”

“All right.” She didn’t understand why she conceded so easily. She imagined she couldn’t change his mind. The frustration she felt now kept rational thoughts from her muddled brain.

Stubborn man. Domineering. Conceited.

“If you don’t wish to take a nap, then tell me some of what we will be doing while I play the escort, or you could tell me about yourself.”

While she debated how much to explain to him, she gazed at the cheery August sunshine she saw out the window as the earl’s coach, the expensive earl’s coach, trundled its way out onto the streets of Glasgow. The thought of the sunshine outside did nothing to change the dismal thoughts rushing around in her scrambled head. She just didn’t know how to combat his bossy commands. Since it was her groats paying the man, why, then she should have the last say or the only say.

“Very well.” She placed her shaking hands in her lap, entwining her fingers to keep them still. “So, you want to know something about me,” she began. “I’ve tutored a great number of children, and…”

Truly she didn’t understand where she was going with this. Though she did. She needed for him to understand why she couldn’t afford certain amenities. Why extra services would not be needed.

“Tutored? A great number?” A supercilious eyebrow arched upward. “How many is a great number?”

“Yes, and…”

Obviously, he didn’t believe her. She stopped short of saying what was on her mind while her breath caught in the back of her throat.

“That’s commendable. I lecture university students.”

As if that would put her in her place. A professor at a university would look down his nose at a woman who only taught younger children. She could manage tit for tat as well as anyone. “I hear you get in fights with them too,” she blurted realizing after the fact that was not the way to get on his good side, if he had a good side.

She did need his services. Attempting to calm her rattled nerves, she inhaled slowly then let go the air just as slowly out of her lungs before she replied. “I tutor children. Presently, I’m between jobs. Caroline and Letty encouraged me to come here to follow a passion of mine. I’ve already begun the research.”

To Betsy, he looked vastly amused. His grin was lazy, slanted half way on his mouth. If he smiled using all his lips and showing his teeth, the sight would knock her stockings off. “For proper English aristocrats, I assume.” His blandly sarcastic tone piqued her temper.

If any other Scotsman teased her about how she made a living, she might have laughed. This man, this thick-headed, self-centered, fascinating man caused her to set her back straight then tilt her chin defiantly. Truly, she didn’t understand how she would survive the months until all the research was completed. Lands, what if it took her more than a month?

“Be that as it may…” She paused as the stuffy words resounded between her ears causing her to heat. “I’ve spent the last six months working on a paper about Mary of Guise, sometimes known as Mary of Lorraine. She was the regent of Scotland in the mid fifteen hundreds. The research is just beginning. There is so much more I need to discover about this woman before I can even begin to write. This seemed like a good time for a trip as I’m between students. Caroline recommended you as my guide. She indicated that ten pounds a day would pay for your services. Perhaps she was wrong. Was she?”

Indignant, she felt irate, outraged that she needed to explain all this to him. He should have been apprised of all this before he volunteered for the job. The man should have understood what to expect for his pay.

“Services?”

One of his infuriating eyebrows lifted skyward again.

“As my guide,” she repeated. “As my driver.”

If stamping her foot would garner more respect, she would certainly try it. Instead, she was tap, tap, tapping her foot.

He stared at her foot for a moment then back to her eyes. “Uh-huh. Well, I’m pleased that is all you’ve got in that pretty little feminine head of yours, because when you mentioned services, I thought you might be implying something else entirely different, in which case ten pounds wouldn’t be nearly enough to cover the suggested duties.”

He still appeared as if he was about to break out in a gale of laughter. She certainly didn’t understand the amusement she saw in his eyes. Although she understood the laughter behind his teeth was at her expense. She braced herself against the back of the soft leather seat as the vehicle hit a deep rut in the road. Stiffly, she began again, “There will be quite a bit of driving. In addition, possibly to Edinburgh if I can’t find all the information here in Glasgow. Most of my time will be spent at the Glasgow University. I would suppose you could put me in contact with some history professors who could help.”

“Driving, that’s all you want? I don’t usually drive the earl’s coach. He sent me with this one specifically for your comfort. Caroline asked if I could use it to pick you up. Nonetheless, I can use a smaller vehicle if you’d like.”

“Whatever is easiest for you. What other services do you offer? I might be interested if it will enable my research to go smoothly.”

His grin widened to the point where his entire mouth was involved. “Tell you what. I’ll start out with the basics of any escort. After that we can speak of additional things to be added. I’m certainly open to added…duties.”

With her limited amount of money, she wasn’t pleased with the conversation. She wanted specifics, needed to know exactly what he’d be charging for. By the way he skirted around the topic, he wasn’t going to expand on what he seemed to be thinking. “It is my belief that when dealing with another person, all facts should be made clear from the start of the relationship. Don’t you agree?”

“We’re clear enough for now. Let’s allow this to play out the way we would like. Take the situations we encounter from one minute to the next. We are, after all, both adults who can make decisions. Planning for the future sometimes just doesn’t work out unless we leave decisions open ended.” The carriage swayed a bit when it went around a sharp corner. “Just to be specific, at this second, you will pay me ten pounds a day to drive you around Glasgow or possibly other places for a month or more.”

“Possibly more. I have a list.”

She fumbled in her bag in order to find the parchment to show him.

“I’ll just bet you do. Suppose it’s buried somewhere inside those newspapers. Possibly it’s inside one of those parasols of yours. Do you put your lists between your breasts? I could look there for you.”

He paused as if he was waiting for her to react. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. He went on, “You could save money, you know, by renting a horse. We could move more quickly through the city.”

“I can’t ride.”

“We could change that fact. However, I’d have to charge you if I were to teach you how to ride. Imagine there might not be savings in that case. Nonetheless, you would learn a valuable lesson. Riding can be quite enjoyable. I do enjoy a wild, untamed ride.”

He crossed his long legs, stretching them out. His calves touched hers. She moved back. His lopsided grin widened. His amusement at her expense irked her to no end.

“There are other ways to save money.”

He sat forward, his forearms on his thighs, appearing to look into her bag. He would do what he wanted.

Pulling out the newspaper she’d been reading on the last leg of her journey here, he tapped the article. “My sister-in-law’s work. Did you know my brother helps her with the articles? Caroline was an innocent, but giving out advise to love starved women. Is that what you are, Betsy? Love starved. I could give you advice on how to change that situation. Give you pointers. Show you the way.” He tapped a finger beneath his chin. “Ah, but then I would have to charge you. Wouldn’t I? I could give you the first piece of advice free. What would you like to ask me?”

Quickly, she turned away, heat flooding her at his insinuation. She didn’t want him to see the strangled expression on her face. He was too audacious. Ask him questions about love? Never!

“Nothing. I don’t want advice from you.”

“I’m well-versed in love. What about you, Betsy. How many lovers have you had? Ten? Twenty? Maybe more?”

She heard the amusement back in his voice. Telling him none was not going to happen. She meant to turn his question back on him. “How many have you had?”

“Ah, you put me on the defensive. Imagine I’ve had more than my fair share of lovers. Never counted the number. Never felt the need to keep track. So, how about you?”

Before she could utter another word, he tugged her across the seat. She landed on his lap, her hand winding around the back of his neck to keep from falling off. He blindsided her. She was shaking, completely taken off guard, surprised. “N…nine.”

“Only nine? That’s not nearly enough. Oh, well, I could possibly find some young swain at the university who could teach you about love. I don’t dally with virgins. Is that what you are, Betsy, a virgin? No, with nine lovers under your belt, you’re not a virgin. Too old and too beautiful to still be untouched by a man. What do you think? Would that be something you would enjoy? A bit of sexual play between two experienced adults?”

No, she wouldn’t enjoy anyone except him. Evan didn’t seem to be offering. Or was he? Was all this play coupled with innuendos she didn’t understand leading toward a relationship of sorts? All she wished for was a short-term lover. A dalliance, as she didn’t want to go to her grave a virgin. When she spoke to Caroline, she felt certain Evan would do just fine. Letty came to the same conclusion. Although Caroline tried to convince her she might just want something more than a short-term relationship with him.

“No, I’m not looking for a lover.” She lied outrageously. “I’m here for research not pleasure.”

“I could change your mind.” One of his long-bronzed fingers swept down her throat then back to her chin. He kept moving, touching, stroking. She gulped air. Squirmed. The devil, she remembered staring at his hands. His nails were clipped neatly, his fingers long, bronzed from time in the sun. She’d thought about him doing something like this. His fingers traveled lightly across her collarbone.

“Evan…”

“What?”

She turned to look at him. Saw the moistness of his parted lips. She pushed on his shoulders. “I shouldn’t be sitting here.”

“Instead of advice, thought I could give you a free lesson. Won’t charge a groat.”

Now, his fingernail traveled the length of one arm then the other.

“A lesson in what?”

“Whatever you like? Would you like a kiss? Has a man ever kissed you, Betsy? Of course, I forgot. At least nine men must have kissed you,” he asked as his roaming fingers dipped a little lower, travelled across the tops of her breasts.

“Kissed me?”

Once. She recalled the young man, a neighbor who grabbed her behind the carriage house. She was only sixteen. His lips on hers was not something she wanted to repeat. Somehow, now, staring at Evan’s mouth, she didn’t believe a kiss from this man would feel as disgusting as the first and only time she’d been kissed.

“Yes. Who has kissed you, Betsy?”

~ * ~

Where she was concerned, he had mixed emotions. At times, he didn’t think anyone ever kissed this gorgeous woman. After that, when he thought more thoroughly about her, because of her age, she couldn’t possibly be innocent. By now she must have had multiple lovers. Nine, as she told him. Maybe that was an exaggeration.

Back to her innocent act, if they had, the kiss happened a long time ago. Even now she was pushing herself away from him. She’d been so worried about money; he knew he needed to change the topic. He’d wanted to laugh when she puzzled over the idea of learning how to ride. She understood in the end, he wasn’t talking about riding a horse. Her problem was that she didn’t comprehend of what he spoke. Perhaps she’d never sat astride one of her lovers. That was a possibility.

He dipped one finger in the valley between her breasts, caught the gasp of air she almost choked on along with the shiver of her small frame. She certainly wasn’t immune to him.

When she was telling him what to do or pointing her parasol in the direction she wanted him to walk, in her own way she was an absolute delight. Nothing would cost her, her hard-earned groats teaching spoiled brats. Nonetheless, she seemed to delight in the job. Betsy even liked Reggie and Victoria.

She moved to get off his lap. He held her still, enjoying her lush curves pushed against him. His hands pressed against the trimness of her waist. He wondered about the weight and texture of her breasts. If he could keep her from telling him how to explore her sweet body, he might enjoy the adventure. His hands rose up the ladder of her ribs.

She wriggled on his lap. Seemed to always be wiggling. “About your extra services. I won’t be needing any of them. I won’t be paying for kisses or love advice. I know you were speaking of something different than riding a horse. Whatever that was, I won’t be paying for that either.”

No, she wouldn’t be.

When she started speaking about the services, a small crease formed in her forehead. She began to chew on her bottom lip. He wished she wouldn’t do that. It was the damndest thing. She annoyed the hell out of him from the moment she’d first opened her mouth. He swore to God the next time she pointed at something with her rain napper, he was going to break it over his knee. Now, seeing that moist wonderful mouth working away made him wonder how he was going to survive these next weeks, let alone months if it came to that. He thoroughly hoped to be reinstated before that time.

In bed.

In bed, that’s how he would survive. The notion popped into his head then had the audacity to stick there, play with his senses. He’d enjoyed teasing her. Never once, until now, had the intention of bedding her popped so thoroughly into his head. True, he skirted around the thought. If his instincts were right, she wasn’t a damn virgin; an over the hill, long in the tooth, maiden. If that was true, all her lovers had been old men. He bedded experienced women. Her experiences weren’t what he expected. Usually, he liked his women a tiny bit younger as well as knowledgeable. A woman who would have no expectations other than giving as well as receiving pleasure. This was exactly the kind of thinking that could get a man into a hell of a lot of trouble. The best way to avoid strangling her with his bare hands was to get her naked as soon as possible. Preferably in the next couple of days.

Moving in on this starchy woman who he was lusting after the moment he saw her would be a definite challenge. In any case, Evan didn’t have anything better to do with his time. So, he figured he was up to the task. He thought of the ten pounds a day she was supposed to be paying him. After that, he recalled the two thousand pounds he earned in compounded interest each month. This was the first time he smiled about money in a very long time. Then he remembered just exactly why he was on escort duty, the student who attacked him. Bloody hell, there was no way he would just stand in front of that young pup and let him wail on him. Apologizing was also out of the question. If this went on very long, he might never get his job back.

His wavering grin turned to a frown as he imagined Caroline’s amused reaction when Betsy offered him ten pounds a day and her even greater amusement when she decided not to pass that particular piece of information on to him. It never ceased to amaze him that his brother snared one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. When they were together fires blazed. The ball, when his sister-in-law won a not so coveted award. The moment Duncan saw her there he whisked her away to his bedroom. There wasn’t anything he or his brothers could do to get him to go back to the charity ball. The scandal was huge.

After that incident, the ensuing humiliation, Caroline’s pregnancy, only grew larger over time. He decided he would never allow a woman the upper hand. If he did, that would be utter folly.

He glanced at Betsy’s softly parted mouth with her sun kissed curls, baby-doll cheeks, feathers that every time she bent her head tickled his nose. He’d been maneuvering women all his adult life. He’d never yet let one of them forget the place where he could adore them.

Right beneath him. Everyone had been eager for the position.

~ * ~

Caroline sat with Duncan’s arms around her, her back pressed against his chest. His hand caressed her slightly swollen belly. Their two-year-old played with a ball in front of them. The sky was clear blue. Sunrays hit the earth softly. Green grass shimmered waving slightly while a breeze caressed the tips in undulating rhythms.

“Hmm…” She did enjoy the sweet stroking of his fingers. The potent heat they spawned. “What do you think will happen when Betsy offers Evan ten pounds a day for his services?” Caro sighed softly as his lips brushed tenderly on her nape.

His hands rose to cup her breasts, his thumb moving lazily across the tight hard tips. Heat rose swift and pure. She wanted to melt into him. Duncan spent most of the afternoon seducing. With their toddler in front of them, he couldn’t act on the seduction until the nanny arrived. Caro closed her eyes enjoying the peace of the moment, the sweet surrender.

“Hard to tell where my brother is concerned. He won’t like the fact you implied he was an escort. Nonetheless, if he appreciates your friend, she might get what she wants. At least something close to your intentions.”

He let his head fall against the tree trunk behind him, his hands slowly inching her skirt upward.

She pushed his hands down. “Behave yourself. Do you think he will do what Betsy wants? She doesn’t wish to get with child though. All she wishes for is to learn about pleasure. She doesn’t want to go to her grave a virgin. Evan has to see the sweet beauty she possesses.”

Nervously she was folding her gown between her fingers wondering if this scheme wouldn’t backfire. In the process have atrocious repercussions.

What they planned could turn out horribly.

“Maybe. She is a beautiful woman. One a man might have difficulty resisting. Isn’t this something like what you did to me? I was furious when I discovered how blatantly you lied to me. You were going to take my child from me,” he said letting his thumbs glide across nipples that were covered by too much fabric. “You should unfasten some of those damn buttons keeping me from my goal.”

“Not until the nanny gets here.” She held onto his hands, laughing as she heard his groan of discontent. “No, she doesn’t want a baby. If you recall, you stole all my assets. You left me with nothing, no place to live, not even a penny to my name. I had no choice except to follow along behind you as if I was your well-trained puppy dog.”

His raspy chuckle sent shiver down her spine. He wasn’t about to stop the exploration of his hands. “All Betsy wants is to lose her virginity. In that case, I’m more than certain Evan will oblige her. He’s going to be bored these next few weeks. Caro, I’ve apologized more than any man should have to about stealing your wealth. Haven’t I made it up to you? I’ve given all that I could back.”

“She’s a beautiful woman.”

“One who can be damn annoying,” Duncan said. “Seems I recall a certain parasol she wields as if it’s an extension of her arm.”

“There is that.”