" He pulled away the glove, and at the first glimpse of her fragile, white hand, all thoughts of negotiation fled. " I don't see how matters could become worse," he muttered. " I am already besotted with a needle-tongued, conceited, provoking ape leader of a lady." Her head jerked up. " Besotted? You're nothing like it. Vengeful is more like it. Spiteful. "