“Francis hesitated. “I’m sure I ought to refuse to let you come with me.” Her eyes lit with mischief. “And I am just as sure you ought not. How can you prevent me?” As he eyed her, he was aware of disturbance in the rate of his heartbeat and an unsettling shortness of breath. “I can think of several ways,” he responded without thinking. Colour fluctuated in Ottilia’s cheek. With an effort, Francis wrenched his attention away from the images crawling in his head.”