The thrust slid home with annoying ease.
He did not have to say he was not about to reveal any more of himself than she was prepared to do.
She gave an annoyed shake of her head. He was like fencing with a master.
“You have offered your apology and I accept. Is that all?”
He mildly regarded her frown. “Actually, I had hoped you would agree to join me for a short drive.”
Once again he managed to catch her off guard. “Now?”
“Unless you have other plans?”
She hesitated. The man annoyed her, mocked her, and if she were perfectly honest, rather frightened her. But the lure of spending more time in his company was undeniable.
Hadn’t she promised herself to bring him to heel?
She could hardly do so if she were cowardly avoiding his company.
Sucking in a calming breath she managed an offhand shrug. “No, I have no other plans.”
“Good.” He moved to hold out his arm. “Shall we go?”
Silently branding herself an idiot, Simone allowed herself to be led from the back room toward the foyer. It took a moment for a maid to fetch her gloves and parasol that she chose in favor of a bonnet. Then, ignoring the urge to rush upstairs and change into something a bit more dashing than the plain jade gown, she consented to take Gideon’s arm once again as he escorted her out of the house and into the startling white and gold carriage, pulled by perfectly matched gray horses.
Although it was still May the heat of the sun made it feel surprisingly warm. Arranging herself on the leather seat of the carriage, Simone quickly raised her parasol, relieved when Gideon set the grays into motion, stirring a pleasant breeze.
Her relief was short-lived, however, when she realized they were not headed in the direction of the park as she had expected, but instead toward the less populated outskirts of London.
With a frown she glanced about the thinning houses, wondering what she had managed to get herself into now.
With her face adverted she failed to note the manner his dark gaze scrutinized her tense features and the unmistakable shadows that marred the skin beneath her eyes.
“You look pale,” he abruptly broke the silence. “Did you not sleep well?”
Simone shifted upon the leather seat, suddenly aware of the scent of warm spices that clung to his warm body.
“I was rather restless.”
“Did Mr. Soltern’s visit bother you?”
She grimaced, unable to deny that the gentleman had set her nerves on edge. Even the mention of him was enough to make a ball of ice form in the pit of her stomach.
“I must admit I do not care for the gentleman. There is something very cold and rather inhuman about him.”
The dark eyes flashed with surprise at her words. Almost as if he were startled she had managed to see through the shallow charm Mr. Soltern possessed in such abundance.
“Yes,” he at last murmured. “He is quite ruthless.”
She tilted her head to one side, no longer concerning herself as to where they were headed. Whatever her fears in regard to this gentleman she did not believe he would ever attempt to harm her.
“He hates you. Why?” she demanded bluntly.
He abruptly turned to regard the wide street, although there was little traffic to disturb them.
“We are old enemies.”
“That much I had presumed,” she retorted dryly. The air between them last evening had nearly crackled with danger.