“You don’t have to give that up, at least not entirely. Two of the villages attached to Kinglas are in dire need of proper grammar schools. That has been on my list of priorities, and I would be happy to turn my plans for that over to you.”
“You would do that for me?” she asked. To be able to establish her school in some form after all . . . it seemed almost too good to be true.
“You’ve got it backwards, love. You would be doing it for me.”
“That’s . . . that’s very kind of you,” she stammered. To have both Arnprior and the work she loved was more than she could ever have asked for.
“I’m not being kind, Victoria, because I’m getting something out of this too.”
Her heart sank. That, right there, was the heart of the matter.
“Why does that bother you?” he asked, reading her consternation. “Do you not think we will suit? If so, understand that I emphatically disagree.”
Victoria carefully rested her hands on his shoulders. “Why do you think we suit?”
She should have just asked him directly what hegot out of it, but her nerve had failed.
“You mean besides the fact that you’re beautiful and desirable, and I will finally get you into my bed?” he murmured, sliding his hand up to curl possessively around her neck.
“Yes, aside from that,” she said skeptically. There was nothing wrong with her looks, but she was no great beauty, either.
He laughed. “Love, you are a difficult woman to persuade. Very well. In what other ways do we suit? For one, you have taken to Kinglas and the Highlands. At least, you don’t entirely hate the old pile.”
“Of course I don’t. It’s a splendid old place, and it’s your home. How could I not like it?”
“Excellent. Now, for another thing, you manage my family and household exceedingly well. Everyone adores you.”
Including you?
“Not Angus,” she said.
“Don’t be so sure. Actually, I think the old fellow is quite smitten with you.”
She had to smile. “That’s silly.”
“On my honor as a soldier. You’ve completely tamed him.”
“If you say so. Now, what about you?” she made herself say.
He gave her a perplexed smile. “Have you tamed me? I didn’t know I needed taming.”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m wondering if you’re . . . smitten with me, too. Just a little bit, anyway,” she added awkwardly.
When he gave her an incredulous stare, she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her. Ofcoursehe didn’t love her. He desired her and he had practical need of her, but it was ridiculous to think that a man like him could ever love a woman like her.
“Just ignore me,” she said, forcing a laugh. “I’m teasing.”
When she tried to slide off his lap, his arms clamped around her.
“You’re not going anywhere, madam,” he said sternly. “To be honest, I cannot believe a woman of your intellect can be so utterly devoid of sense in this regard.”
She bristled. “There’s no need to be insulting, sir.”
“Smitten with you, just a little bit,” he echoed. “Good God, Victoria. You’re all I bloody well think about, day and night—especially the nights. You would realize that if you stopped avoiding me.”
She stopped trying to escape his grip. “Are you sure? I need you to be sure.”
“Am I sure? Let me show you, just a little bit.”
