One Pink Rose; One White Rose; One Red Rose Read Free Page B

mean to be indelicate, but it’s got to be bothering you.”
    She slapped her fan closed and let out a loud sigh. “You’re either as completely thickheaded as a tree, Mr. Clayborne, or I still haven’t perfected it yet.”
    â€œPerfected what?” he asked.
    â€œFlirting, Mr. Clayborne. I was trying to flirt with you.”
    Her honesty impressed him. “Why?”
    â€œWhy? So that you would do what I want you to do, of course. I’m not much good at it though, am I?”
    He didn’t answer the absurd question. “The twitching’s stopped,” he drawled out, just to get her dander up.
    â€œI wasn’t twitching,” she muttered. “There isn’t anything wrong with my eyes, thank you very much. I was simply practicing my technique on you, that’s all. Shall we go and collect Mrs. Clayborne and be on our way? I do hope she’s more pleasant than you are, sir. Please stop gawking at me. I want to reach my destination before dark.”
    â€œThere isn’t any Mrs. Clayborne.”
    â€œOh, that won’t do.”
    He leaned down close to her. “Will you please say something that makes sense?”
    She took a step away from him. The man was entirely too good-looking for her sensibilities. He had the most wonderful green eyes. She’d noticed the color while he was growling at her with obvious irritation and asking her such rude questions. She’d noticed what a masculine, fit fellow he was too.
    Travis Clayborne was tall, on the thin side, but with muscles galore on his shoulders and arms. She didn’t dare look any lower, or he’d get the notion she was going to try to kick him again, but she was certain his legs were just as well-endowed.
    No doubt about it, he was an extremely handsome man. Women probably chased after him all the time. Foolish females would be helpless against those beautiful green eyes of his. His smile could cause considerable havoc too. Why, he’d just smiled at her once and for the barest of seconds, but it was still quite enough to make her heartbeat quicken. He probably had broken hundreds of women’s hearts already, and she wasn’t about to be added to his list. She had already learned that painful lesson, thank you very much.
    Miss Finnegan was suddenly glaring up at him, and he couldn’t figure out what had caused the sudden change. “I asked you why I have to be married to escort you to Golden Crest.”
    â€œBecause it wouldn’t be at all proper for me to go riding into the wilderness with such a handsome man. What will people think?”
    â€œWho cares what people think? You don’t know anyone here, do you?”
    â€œNo, but I will get to know them, once I’m married to Mr. O’Toole. If Golden Crest is just a day’s ride away, I’ll probably be doing some of my shopping here. Surely you can understand my reservations, sir. I must keep up appearances.”
    He shrugged. “If you can’t go with me, then I’ve fulfilled my promise to offer my services. Good day, ma’am.”
    He tried to walk away. She was clearly appalled by his behavior. “Wait,” she called out, chasing after him. “You wouldn’t leave me alone, would you? A gentleman would never abandon a lady in distress. . . .”
    â€œI guess I’m not a gentleman,” he told her without pausing in his long-legged stride down the walkway. “And I’m certain you aren’t a lady in distress.”
    She grabbed hold of his arm, dug her heels in to stop him from taking another step, and found herself being dragged along in his wake.
    â€œI most certainly am in distress, and it’s vile of you to contradict me.”
    â€œI was handsome a minute ago, but now I’m vile?”
    â€œYou can be both,” she told him.
    He suddenly turned around to look at her. He knew he couldn’t leave her stranded in Pritchard, not if