He gave her a considering look. “You have a tell.”

She laughed. “That’s preposterous.”

He shrugged.

She pulled her hand free and crossed her arms over her chest.“What is this tell, then?”

His lips twitched. “As if I’d reveal my one advantage.”

“You’re bluffing.”

In the warm glow of the wall lamps lining the corridor his thick hair gleamed and his eyes sparkled like blue gems. “On the contrary, Jones. One thing you should know about me is that I notice things.”

He moved closer, and instinct had her retreating backwards ’til her back collided with the wall and they stood toe to toe. The chill of cold plaster permeated her gown, a sharp contrast to the heat pulsing through her. She drew a bracing breath and the scent of him, a subtle mix of spice and warm male skin teased her already enlivened senses. “You’re claiming you noticed things about me?”

He nodded once.

Curiosity burned through her. “Such as?”

“I know you have a penchant for fine shoes, and an abominable collection of over-large bonnets which you garner like a shield. I know you prefer to keep to yourself, which probably explains how you won the affections of your employer, the noted recluse, with whom you share anti-social tendencies. I know you indulge in regular morning walks”—He leaned closer and his voice lowered—“and you always smell like flowers and elegance and mystery.”

She licked her lips. “Mystery?”

His eyes tracked the movement, like a cat stalking a mouse. “Definitely.”

A terrible craving for the damnably charming rake to kiss her threatened to topple all her good intentions. She wanted to close her eyes, twine her fingers around his neck, and feel his mouth pressed to hers. How did he do that?