Rules of Engagement Read Online Free Page B

salary, I must decline your attentions and the position."
    My God, she was perfect. Impervious to his charm, so sure of herself, her morals and, amazingly enough, her allure, she could not be swayed from her righteous path. "No! Please, Miss Lockhart, you have made your principles quite clear to me. Rest assured that our association will be that of employer and employee, no more." With Miss Lockhart, he knew the orphan would be molded and cared for and he would be safe alone in his bed.
    She viewed him suspiciously. "And my requirements for this position?"
    "All will be met."
    "You will be able to restrain your animal tendencies?"
    With excessive gravity, he agreed, "As difficult as that will be, yes."
    "I wish to state my opinion, my lord, although I've never met a man who was reasonable enough to listen to reason."
    Oh, this should be prime . "Go ahead."
    "It would be better if you married."
    "You women all think alike. That is just what Her Majesty told me."
    "Marital union, I am told, provides a man an outlet for those inconvenient passions that afflict them. But I suppose you have only a short amount of time before the queen's demands must be met?"
    "She has given me three months."
    "Three months in which to become respectable?" She looked at him and laughed, a bitter croak of disdain. "Even I believe that is unfair. Yes, you have no recourse except to bring a child into your home, for no woman in her right mind would marry a man like you without extensive courting and vows of fidelity, written and signed in blood."
    He straightened from his lounging position. "No woman would refuse me."
    "You jest, my lord."
    "There isn't a woman alive who can't be seduced by a handsome face, a title or a fortune, and without conceit I can say I possess all three. Really, Miss Lockhart. You have proved resistant to seduction, but what if I offered marriage?"
    "That is a stupid supposition. If I were the most beautiful woman in the world, you would still not offer me marriage. Every man claims his passion leads him, but if that were true, they would marry as they wished and not where they must."
    "But if my passion led me to you, you would have me for my face and form."
    "Men do not love from the fullness of their hearts, and handsome men are worse, for they are spoiled."
    "Then you would have me for my title."
    "I come from noble stock. I know that title does not confer honor or constancy or integrity."
    Deliberately, he played the snake in the garden, and offered the irresistible apple. "Then you would have me for my fortune."
    She faltered.
    As he knew she would. "Ha!" Tucking his knee into his cupped hands, he leaned back and surveyed her with satisfaction. "I was right."
    She looked at him and saw something in his face—and what could it be, damn it!—that stiffened her resolve. "You are wrong. I have managed to refrain from running away with any of the men who make me offers, and I would not trade my dreams for a life with you."
    "Your dreams must be grand."
    "Not grand, but they are mine." Standing, she hefted the bag on her arm. "And I am done with this fruitless discussion."
    "Yes." He couldn't believe he had allowed himself to be lured into such banter, and with such an ugly, disagreeable creature. "You understand what you should do?"
    "I will find your orphan and bring the child here. Since I suspect you wish the child to have some fraction of deportment, I will train it—"
    He slid off the desk and away from her. "Quickly."
    "Yes. Quickly. Then… we shall proceed as you wish."
    "You'll acquire the child by the end of the day."
    "It is after the noon, my lord. I will settle into my chamber and look over the arrangements of your schoolroom today. Tomorrow I shall find us a child."
    Taking Miss Lockhart by the arm, Kerrich briskly escorted her toward the door. "Then everything is settled."
    "The major details, at least. I dislike taking your time."
    "Good." He needed to go back to the figures on the sheet, which were good, damn