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only known Sally for a few days, it seemed out of character for her to pass up an opportunity to put her nose into someone else's business.
    Trent turned at the soft creak from the stairs and locked gazes with a pair of bright blue eyes. Familiar tightness pulled at his chest as his gaze moved from Louise's upswept hair, over the satin dress hugging each feminine curve, and down to the shoes barely clinging to her feet.
    Silently he berated himself for not expecting this turn of events. This was one thing he had not considered when developing his plan for the evening. He'd known Louise Hart was pretty, sweet, and appealing. Now, he reluctantly added sexy to the list.
    Her gaze caught his and something in it sparked a reaction in him he truly didn't recognize. He knew one thing, though, whatever it was it meant trouble.
    Louise hesitated on the lower landing and reached out for the railing. Too late, she realized she hadn't considered everything when developing her scheme to get what she wanted from Mr. Parker.
    The heavy weight of Trent's gaze, darkened with interest, roamed over her again. He studied her so intently she knew he registered every detail, down to the stitching on the hem of her dress. Uncertainty crept over her skin, making it tingle. She fought against the urge to tug her dress down to cover more of her thighs.
    Trent's jaw muscles tightened. “At least you're ready on time."
    His curt comment put her back on familiar ground. She knew how to argue with him. “What did you expect? This is a business dinner after all."
    His mouth shifted slightly. One eyebrow lifted. “Is it?"
    Louise pressed her lips together and brushed past him to pull open the door. She took his smirk as a challenge and she wasn't about to let him down. If he wanted to play games, she was ready. He'd soon find out she had plans of her own.
    Knowing her hostess lingered within earshot, Louise called out good night.
    Sally replied, “Don't leave before the band plays. The dancing is wonderful."
    Louise turned to see if Trent heard Sally's suggestion.
    He stepped forward to take her arm, and his breath whispered across her cheek. “We won't want to miss that.” As he leaned over her, his aftershave drifted around her, numbed her mind, and chased away the details of her careful scheme. “Are you allowed to stay up that late, little girl?"
    She started to jerk her arm away, but remembered her plan. Instead of showing him what she thought of his attitude, she let him guide her down the porch steps and into the waiting taxi.
    * * * *
    THE DRIVER OF the taxi took his time getting an eyeful of them. Louise couldn't help wondering if he noticed the tension swirling between Trent and her. Either that or something was wrong with her dress. She glanced down to be sure she was still covered, or nearly covered anyway, then scurried onto the bench and out of his view.
    After Trent slid in next to her, the driver turned his attention to the dappled pair pulling the cab. Under the driver's direction, the sure-footed animals stepped into the street. The taxi bounced along the road.
    Trent turned his attention her. The muscle in his jaw flexed again and Louise suspected he was sizing her up.
    "How much do you know about the island?” he asked.
    She narrowed her eyes. “What's there to know? It's a beautiful tourist location with a lot of fine hotels and too many candy shops selling fudge."
    He flashed her a potentially charming grin. “That's not a very businesslike answer, Miss Hart."
    Louise swallowed against the urge to tell him what she thought of his stupid question. “Please come right out with it. Is there something specific you'd like to know? Like my qualifications for managing a stable?"
    "I don't doubt you're qualified,” he replied softly.
    Louise found nothing in his expression to help her understand what he meant by that. She shifted away to watch the white fringe dangling from the roof canopy dance to the soft clomping of the horses’