Excerpts

From Bewitching The Baron...

Hoof beats caught her ear, and she cast a glance over her shoulder. He was coming down the path, mounted on his horse. She stepped to the side to make room for him to pass her, but he stopped when he reached her, and slid gracefully from the horse's back.

She kept walking, forcing him to lead the horse by the reins. He made as if to grab her arm, and she swung the shovel around in a defensive gesture, letting him know that he had better think twice about trying it.

"Valerian --"

She flicked her eyes at him in warning.

"Miss Bright. I do apologize. I have offended you once again. Life is... somewhat different in London, among those of my set. Can you possibly give me a second chance? I will be staying at Raven Hall indefinitely, and I see I have much to learn about the ways of the country. Could you not find within yourself the patience to tutor an outsider?"

He looked soulfully at her, imploringly. Valerian wondered if he practiced the look in a mirror, perhaps modeled after a favorite spaniel. "I do not see why I should, as I have a suspicion that your purposes in asking me to do so are purely selfish."

"I can hardly blame you for seeing me in such a light. Do you truly believe there is not a shred of hope for one such as myself? I cannot think that you feel there is no hint of decency to be found in my character."

That is exactly what she thought, she wanted to say. "Stop looking at me like that. No, I do not believe there is anyone who is entirely evil. Permanently, irrevocably damaged, perhaps, but not that there is a complete dearth of good."

"You will give me another chance?"

"No. Go away."

He was silent, keeping pace with her. After some minutes during which she tried to ignore him, he spoke again. "I think I would like to meet your aunt Theresa. I have heard a good deal about her during my short time here."

Valerian stopped short, shoved the blade of the shovel into the ground, put her hands on her hips, and glared at him. "Why are you doing this? I cannot be so interesting as to be worth the bother. Are you bored already, is that it? You are like a little boy, tormenting a helpless animal for his idle amusement."

"You, my dear, are anything but helpless."

Valerian gave a disgusted grunt of futility and tossed her hands in the air. "Fine. Do as you please. Follow me home, harass my aunt, make a general nuisance of yourself."

He grinned at her. "You almost sound pleased."

"Argh!" She glared at him a moment, then gestured towards the shovel. "At least you can make yourself useful and carry that."

He gave her an elegant bow, one stockinged leg forward. "At your service, Mademoiselle." He plucked the shovel out of the ground and propped it against his shoulder. It looked like a toy rifle against that broad shelf. He made a "lead on" motion with his hand, and inclined his head.

Valerian tightened her lips, and without another word resumed walking down the path.