Within moments he heard the snap of a determined pair of slippers approaching the library. He barely had time to loosen his cravat and prop his feet on his desk before the door was thrown open and Anna sailed in, her chin high, her air that of an offended goddess.

She slammed the door closed so hard that a book fell off a nearby shelf. Anna stepped over the book and then marched to his desk. Once there, she placed her hands palm down on the wide surface and leaned forward, her face flushed a becoming pink. “I cannot believe you would be so rude as to demand my presence based on the fact that I am in your employ!”

“You have no idea how rude I can be,” he said affably, admiring the proud line of her nose. She really was a magnificent woman, all fire and spice.

“I am not a scullery maid, Greyley, and you’d do well to remember that fact.”

The way her eyes sparkled silver when she was angry was also something to be admired. “I would never invite a scullery maid to play billiards. In fact, I wouldn’t invite a scullery maid anywhere.”

“But you would invite a governess.”

He removed his feet from the desk and stood, leaning forward until his face was even with hers across the wide desk. “I can invite you, Anna Thraxton, to play billiards, ride, even dance with me. I am, after all, master of this house.”

“You are an arrogant bastard, Greyley.”

“True,” he agreed with a faint smile. “But I’m also an excellent host.” Outside, thunder rumbled across the sky and the rain increased to a torrential pour. Anthony gestured toward the window. “I would rather ride, as I’m sure you would, but the rain has prevented it. I simply thought to exchange the one pleasure for another.”

She had to bite her lip to keep from returning his smile. Greyley outraged, anger sparkling in his dark brown eyes, was incredibly handsome. Greyley amused, his firm mouth curved in a smile, was simply devastating. Anna’s resistance was melting by the second.

As if he could read her mind, his smile widened to something slow, easy, and intimate. “Perhaps after lunch you will find the time for two games of billiards?”

Despite her irritation, Anna was no match for his warm brown eyes. She sighed. He looked just like one of the children begging for someone to play Jack Pole or Rough ’n Tumble. “It would be highly inappropriate for me to do any such thing and you know it.”

“You are at my house, Miss Thraxton. Within these walls, I decide what is appropriate and what is inappropriate.”

Anna almost laughed. He was so determined to bend everything to his will. “Nothing will make me agree to that.”

“Then what would be acceptable to you? I cannot allow you to languish in the nursery. My sister would consider me a poor host indeed, and she’s not shy in berating me.”