The Notorious Proposal
Page 27
Michael stood the same time their governess did. “Really, Victor. I don’t think this discussion is appropriate, let alone in the company of a lady.”
“I do believe I would like to be excused, Mr. Langdon.”
Michael nodded and their governess bounded from the dining hall as quick as a fox.
“Look what you’ve done!” Ally snapped. Standing to better allow her anger to flow, she put her hands on the table. “What is the matter with you?”
Victor shrugged indifferently.
“You’ve humiliated her!” When he didn’t look the least bit chastened, she lowered her voice. “Miss Paine is my friend. If you will speak to her in that dreadful manner, you might as well just say them to me.”
Victor pushed himself from the table and stalked to the door.
Ally saw a hint of a smile, but she couldn’t be certain. “Victor.” Surely he did not find any of this to be entertaining. “Victor!” she snapped when he didn’t stop.
He turned his head, wearing an innocent look which did nothing to conceal the gleam in his eyes.
She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. “If you provoke Miss Paine further and she resigns, I will hold you accountable.”
In response to that empty threat, Victor presented an enormous, almost wicked grin, vexing her to no end. He wriggled his brows loutishly. “I do hope she resigns.” Then he left. “Oh, Miss Paine…?” The echo of his voice lolling back sounded as if he were taunting a child with sweets.
Ally wanted to hurl something at him. Turning to her husband, whom she realized, didn’t seem disturbed in the least, she grimaced.
“What are you smiling about?” she demanded.
Michael chuckled and put down his glass. “Oh, I’m getting punished for his conduct, am I?”
Ally frowned. “I do not see how any of this is amusing.”
He beckoned to her and she very sullenly complied. He drew her close and arranged her onto his lap. “I’m sure we must begin our quest to search for another governess soon.”
“No!”
“My darling,” her husband crooned, wrapping his strong arms around her. “As I am certain most men of my station would agree, we do not fancy our potential bride to take up a profession.”
“Bride?” The notion came to her as implausible, but the very idea… “You mean—” She smiled when Michael nodded. “That’s wonderful, dear!” As quickly as her joy came, it dissipated. She turned her mouth to the side, thoughtful. “But, he treats her so abominably. Are you certain?”
“He might have related a thing or two to me. You see, Victor is inclined to make Miss Paine his wife, and he’ll stop at nothing, even if the woman in question takes her detestation to great lengths with him.” Her husband dropped a kiss onto her brow. Against her cheek, he whispered, “Does that not remind you of someone?”
Ally huffed, but nestled closer against him as his breath against her skin raised goose bumps along her entire body. “You Langdons will stop at nothing,” she murmured on a sigh. She wound her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his warm chest when he lifted her.
Michael treaded down the great hallways, turned several corners, and then climbed the staircase. “We Langdons merely know what we fancy, sweetheart.” He gave her a wink.
“You are susceptible to take what you fancy,” she countered returning his crooked grin with a smile.
“True. But we—”
“And you Langdons sure know how to bring out the worst in women.”
“Ah, and the best, my darling,” he returned, causing Ally’s heart near to bursting with love for her arrogant, charming ogre.
About Terry Long
Terry Long is the middle child of five vivacious girls. When she was growing up, she wanted to be a child caretaker, but had long given up that career path after the family’s first unmanageable dog. During her early adult years, she decided to step into the automobile industry and had subsequently dedicated a decade of her life in the field, before discovering her true passion. She now gleefully rolls up her sleeves and writes at every chance she gets- that is, if she’s not reading the newest novel. She is recently married and currently resides in the heart of California with her sweetie.