Page 72 of His Wicked Charm

“My dear Lilah, I am sure that your beautiful face and impeccable reputation—not to mention your compliant nature—would sweeten the pot for him. But the man is bloody persistent. He’s more or less forced a visit on you without invitation. He keeps pursuing you even in the face of your obvious disinterest. I have never seen you give him the slightest encouragement.”

“I haven’t.”

“It’s not normal behavior. Most men would have given up by now and gone on their way, brokenhearted.” He laid his palm on his chest, looking melancholy.

“Oh, stop.” Lilah grimaced at him. “I have wondered why he keeps on. I thought he must simply be obtuse.”

“That much is clear. But I think he’s also eager to be in possession of this house.”

“I assumed his suit was spurred by his desire for Barrow House, but that doesn’t mean he wants the key, too,” Lilah pointed out.

“He’s excessively interested in the layout of this house. Last night, while he and I were having our manly after-dinner port, Jasper was interrogating poor Ruggins about where this was and that was...and—” he paused for emphasis “—he wondered if Sir Virgil used the office downstairs.”

“What? That is odd, even for him.”

“Ruggins was tight-lipped of course. ‘I’m sure I couldn’t say, sir.’ Jasper said he wondered because the office appeared to be unused, and it seemed a waste.”

“Maybe he wants to turn it into a billiards room,” Lilah said sourly.

“And what about that inspection tour of the house yesterday? He was examining it far more closely than would be polite.”

“He was looking at it as a future owner.”

“Or he was hoping to find the key’s hiding place.”

“Very well. His actions are suspicious,” Lilah agreed. “But how would he even know about the keys? About any of it?”

“Maybe your father told him.”

“I suppose it’s possible,” Lilah said doubtfully. “But my father had no liking for Jasper. And why wouldn’t he have simply given him the key if he thought Jasper should have it?”

“Maybe Dearborn told Jasper. He seemed wedded to the idea of only male descendants qualifying for his very exclusive club. Perhaps it was another requirement that there be three of them. There were three men to begin with, then the next generation of three. Dearborn might have wanted to bring in Sir Jasper as the third man after your father passed on. Dearborn isn’t inclined to share, but he might if he thinks it’s the only way to get what he wants. But Sir Jasper decided he’d rather have it all—whatever it is—to himself. He could marry you to acquire one key and steal the others. You’re resisting, so now he is storming the ramparts.”

“Perhaps. But I think you just don’t like him, so you made him a villain.”

“I don’t like him,” Con agreed. “But it doesn’t mean he’s not a villain. I think he warrants keeping an eye on.”

“I agree.” Lilah sighed. “I wish Sir Jasper would go home.”

“Perhaps you should tell him to.”

“I can’t. That would be rude.”

Con lifted his eyebrows. “You’ve managed being rude well enough with me.”

“Yes, but that’s you. You’re...”

“Annoying?” he supplied.

“No. Well, yes, you often are, but I didn’t mean that. I meant...” Lilah shrugged. “I don’t have to mince words with you. You aren’t one to take offense. You don’t care if something I say isn’t proper or I sound too bold.”

“The bolder the better, as far as I’m concerned.”

“That is what I mean. You aren’t shocked if I know things or dispute what you say.”

“I’d be shocked if you didn’t dispute what I say.” Con grinned. “As for avoiding your cousin, I suggest we return after he’s gone to bed.”

“Sneak out of my room to meet you in the middle of the night? I-it would be most improper.” If Aunt Helena knew about it, she would be horrified.