“I realize I was not expected.” Miranda jammed her shaking hands together behind her back in the hopes she could somehow erase her nervousness.

“Nor invited,” he interjected with a wide grin that seemed to flow over his entire handsome face. “But I did not say it was an unpleasant surprise. I do admit, I’m quite curious as to the reason for your call. Would you care to enlighten me?”

She shifted nervously, staring at the open door. Why hadn’t he come inside?

“Er, it is a delicate matter I wish to discuss,” she stammered. “I would rather the servants did not hear.”

Rothschild tilted his head and looked at her closely. There was something about the way he was examining her. Like he wasn’t sure if he should eat her or indulge her. She wasn’t sure which option she preferred.

“My servants have no ears, my dear,” he finally said and remained in the doorway.

She frowned. “All servants have ears, my lord, even when they pretend they do not. You know that as well as I do.”

“I had forgotten that you are a sharp little minx, too.”

He smiled again, wolfish, but it was as if the comment were more for himself than her. She folded her arms across her chest as a barrier.

“Will you not close the door?” she asked, tilting her chin with pride.

His grin became less genuine. “No, my dear, I will not. I won’t have your Mama saying I ruined you and demanding I take your hand in marriage. I won’t be trapped, if that is what you came here for.”

She moved forward without thinking. “How dare you! Of course I didn’t come here to trap you! And my mother has nothing to do with this!” She stopped. “Well, she does, but only indirectly. She certainly did not send me here as part of some scheme.”

He leaned back to examine her. “Sharp, saucy and beautiful, too. It is a pity.” He seemed to ponder her statement for a moment, then shrugged as he stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. “Very well. But recognize that if you are lying, I won’t marry you to salvage any blemish to your reputation. If you create a situation for yourself, you will live with the consequences.”

If Miranda hadn’t been so nervous, she might have laughed. Dear God, the man had no idea what she was about to propose. Well, he was too smug and self-assured for his own good anyway. It might be entertaining to see him completely shocked.

Terrifying. But entertaining...