How to Best a Marquess by Tina Gabrielle

Author:Tina Gabrielle
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-05-13T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Hugh’s mouth curved in a grin that made Ellie’s heart skip a beat. “I should lie and say yes, but the truth is no. My appearance here is a coincidence.”

“Hmm.”

He eyed the tin in her hand. “You’re buying snuff?”

“It is for my brother,” she blurted out. Heaven forbid he learn the true reason she was in the tobacconist’s shop today. She prayed he hadn’t seen Violet Lasher leave.

“The earl prefers Havana snuff.”

“Pardon?”

“If you are purchasing it for your brother, the earl will not enjoy orange-scented snuff. He used a pinch of Havana snuff when I first met with him, the same day he told me the Raven Club was for sale.”

Her cheeks grew warm. If he was trying to intimidate her, she refused to rise to the bait and give him the satisfaction of a scathing response in public. “Good to know, however, I will keep my selection.”

“Of course you will. I would not expect anything else.”

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“Only that you are the most stubborn female I have ever met.”

She glared at him. “And you are the most infuriating male I’ve ever known.”

“Touché. Come. Let us make our purchases. Then I will see you home.”

“You insult me, then decide to act the gentleman?”

Hugh plucked the tin from her hands, then walked toward the counter and the waiting clerk. Moments later, he returned to her side, a package wrapped in brown paper under his arm. “Where is your maid?”

Ellie inwardly cringed. She hadn’t summoned Alice. Her reasons for being out and about today had nothing to do with shopping. “She was indisposed.”

He arched an eyebrow. “No chaperone? Shocking, even for you, Ellie.”

“There is no need to see me home.”

“I beg to differ.”

He took her arm and led her out of the shop. It was easier to let him have his way than to fight him in public. She’d gotten what she came for. Her meeting with Violet had taken place and information exchanged. She could suffer letting Hugh escort her without arousing his suspicion.

He led her down Piccadilly, then crossed Park Lane. Her steps faltered as he kept on his path. “You are headed the wrong way.”

He tugged on her arm. “I know a shorter route through the park.”

She struggled to keep up with his long pace. Frustration, and a good amount of anger, hardened her tone. “Must you walk so quickly?”

He immediately slowed his pace. “I forget you are much smaller. It must be your biting wit.”

“What do you mean by that?” Was he mocking her? She looked up at him. He appeared pleasant and at ease while she wanted to throttle him.

“It means that at times I feel like I am in a boxing ring with you. Not a physical fight as you would imagine, but sparring an opponent just the same. Your tongue can clip tin.”

He was mocking her. He made her sound like a harpy, and the barb hurt. She shouldn’t care, but she did.

He guided her across the street and into Hyde Park.

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