Rogues Gallery (65 page)

"
Monsieur
!"

She had done her best to ignore him, or torment him, anything to stop her heart fluttering with such wildness whenever she looked his direction.

Now he was so close the bodice of her lilac muslin dress nearly brushed against his elegant waistcoat. Another ragged breath from her and they
would
be touching.

Annabella tilted her head back, admiring his fashionably tied cravat and then the locks of coal-dark hair falling across his forehead. The handsome devil watched her with eyes the color of emeralds. His lips lifted in a knowing smile.

Mon Dieu
. He could see too many of her thoughts on her face.

She moved to the side, but he neatly halted her once more, as though they were engaged in the most intricate of dance steps.

Exasperated, she turned her attention to
Monsieur
Carlisle, since he possessed more calm and reason than the man standing with crossed arms in front of her.

"I wish to go inside my building."

"I understand, Miss Dumont." Duncan gave her a sympathetic look. "But the lease does not expire for another fortnight, so Wetherby's is well within its rights to exclude you."

Annabella frowned. "I do not understand."

"Women are not allowed in a men's club," Lord Aylsworth informed her, his eyes alight with glee. "That is why there
are
men's clubs."

Her frown deepened. She had overcome her parents' objections—well, she would. As soon as Maman and Papa caught up with her in London, they would see why she had been impatient to open her
salon
.

But now it seemed she must wait. And she was not very good at the waiting.

"Men will be permitted to attend my
salon
. In fact, I encourage them to visit."

"The only men who will are the ones thinking Wetherby's is still in operation. Stop!"

He grabbed Annabella's gloved hand just as she reached for the door handle. It was most improper, which is why he dropped it, his face the picture of remorse.

His rash action also set off a riot of—she did not even know the words. Her skin heated up, everywhere, as though she had just contracted a fever. Why did this man make her feel such things?

It was time to work out another plan before he caused even more fire inside her.

"
Bon
. I leave, for now."

Lord Aylsworth's smile was a glorious one, making her want to frown. In the future, she would ensure he smiled like that when she arrived, not when she departed.

He swept his arm towards the exit, expecting her to scurry ahead of him, but she pretended she did not understand what he meant. Annabella bit back a grin when his expression changed from delighted to dismayed.

Oui
, she could have much fun with this one, once her
salon
was finally open.

"Allow me to escort you to your carriage, Miss Dumont."

"Leave off, Aylsworth,"
Monsieur
Carlisle said with a chuckle. "I shall accompany Miss Dumont. To my home."

Both Annabella and Lord Aylsworth gazed at him questioningly.

"Did I not mention? It appears Miss Dumont is one of the relatives Ginny has been eagerly awaiting."

I
have worked as an attorney, winery tasting room manager, and retail business owner, but nothing beats the thrill of writing humorously-ever-after romances.

I reside in New England, although I fantasize about spending the rest of my days in a tropical locale, wearing flip flops year-round, or in Regency London, scandalizing the
ton
.

I can usually be found on Twitter, chatting about writing, and coffee, or on Facebook, chatting about coffee, and writing.

E
-Mail:
[email protected]

Website:
http://www.AllAboutTheWriting.com

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S
ummer Lovin'
(FREE contemporary romantic comedy novella, Book 1 of the
Seasons of Love
series)

Fallin' in Love
(Book 2 of the
Seasons of Love
series)

I Do. . . or Die
(contemporary romantic comedy/mystery)

Back on Track
(contemporary romantic comedy, part of the
Strangers on a Train
series)

Strangers on a Train
(print volume containing all five books from the series)

An Encouraging Word
(non-fiction creative essays for writers)

E
very Maiden's Dream
(Regency historical)

Bad Ex Karma
(contemporary romantic comedy)

Driving Miss Crazy
(Slade, the hero's brother from
I Do. . . or Die
, gets his own adventure)

Heartbreaker
(Troy, the hero's best friend from
Back on Track
, meets his match)

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