"Does it truly matter what my reason?" he demanded softly.
"I will not harbor a criminal."
He gave a sudden chuckle. "I assure you that I am not hiding from the gallows."
"Then, why?"
"Let us just say that there was a slight misunderstanding with my cousin."
The explanation was a trifle too smooth for her liking.
"You had a slight misunderstanding with your cousin and now you desire to hide in St. Giles?
\bu shall have to do better than that, Mr. Valin."
The devilish glint in the golden eyes became even more pronounced. "Perhaps it was more than a slight misunderstanding. Gideon can unfortunately be tiresomely unreasonable when he chooses, and I believe there was some mention of a nasty duel. It seemed best to avoid him for the next several weeks. Just until his temper is recovered."
"What is the nature of this misunderstanding?"
His features unexpectedly firmed to uncompromising lines. "That is a private matter."
A woman, Jocelyn silently concluded, caught off guard by a traitorous prick of disappointment.
What else could she expect from such a gentleman? He was, after all, born to break the heart of susceptible women.
Then she was severely chastising herself for her unworthy thoughts.
She knew nothing of this gentleman. Certainly not enough to brand him as a womanizing letch. And in truth, even if he were, she was in no position to judge another.
"I respect your privacy, but you must understand that I have no desire to discover an angry gentleman upon my doorstep with his dueling pistol."
The incorrigible humor swiftly returned to the bronze features. "He has no means of discovering I am here. Besides, Gideon would never harm a lady. He far prefers to charm them."
His smile became decidedly suggestive. "As do I."
Jocelyn carefully laid her hands upon her tidy desk. This flirtatious banter was precisely what she had feared from Mr. Valin. It was important that she put a swift end to any hopes he might harbor of a casual seduction.
"That is all very well, but do not imagine for a moment, Mr. Valin, that I am remotely interested in any charms you might claim to possess."
Far from wounded by her firm words, the gentleman stroked a slender finger down the length of his jaw.
"Surely you exaggerate, Miss Kingly? Not even remotely interested?"
"No."
He heaved a teasing sigh. "A hard woman."
"A sensible woman who has no time for foolish games," she corrected him firmly. "You would do well to remember my warning."
"Oh, I possess a most excellent memory," he drawled, reaching beneath his jacket to remove a small leather bag that he placed upon the desk. "Indeed, I even remembered this."
She eyed the bag warily. "What is it?"
"The two months' rent in advance, just as you requested."
Jocelyn made no effort to reach for the money. She knew the moment her fingers touched the coins she would be irrevocably committed to allowing this gentleman into her home.
And yet, what else could she do?