“Exactly, don’t think.”
He slid his arms around her back. She trembled but didn’t resist the embrace. Instead, her other hand joined the first to rest on his waistcoat. Nick huffed out a small, triumphant chuckle just before their lips met.
“Oh, dear!” She flattened her hands and pushed back.
He loosened his grip. “What’s wrong?”
Victoria crinkled her nose with evident distaste. “I don’t like to criticize, my lord . . .”
“Yes?”
“It’s your breath. It’s quite . . . gruesome.”
He sighed and let her go. “Sorry about that. I seem to have forgotten the basics when it comes to courting a lady.”
She scooted around to the other side of the table. “Sir, there is absolutely no need to court me.”
He smiled. “Good. Then we’ll marry as soon as possible?”
Her eyes widened with shock. “Really, Lord Arnprior, this is entirely unnecessary, as I told your brother last night.”
“And also Angus and Taffy,” he helpfully supplied.
She winced. “Yes.”
“That’s three people who caught us in a compromising position. And despite mybestefforts to quell any gossip—”
“You obviously just woke up,” she said with disbelief.
“—I fear Angus has not exercised the same discretion we would,” he finished, trying to sound regretful.
“But I made it very clear to Mr. MacDonald that I would depend upon his discretion.”
“Angus, discreet?” Nick couldn’t hold back a chuckle.
She glared at him. “Sir, I wasnotcompromised. You were feeling . . . unwell, and I was simply trying to . . . to support you.”
“By kissing me, and then rolling about on the floor with me?”
“We weren’t rolling,” she snapped.
“I stand corrected. But Iwaslying on top of you with my head cushioned on your, er, chest.” He could still recall how delightful her breasts had felt under his cheek.
A fiery blush climbed up her neck. “That particular posture was an accident, as were the kisses.”
“A very enjoyable accident, I must say.”
“They were not meant to happen,” she said hotly.
Something unpleasant congealed in the pit of his stomach. “Are you saying I forced myself on you?” He’d shoot himself if that were the case.
“No, of course not!” she exclaimed. “I know you would never take advantage of me, or any woman.”
His gut unclenched. “Then you’re saying that you willingly returned my caresses? That I didnotforce myself on you.”
She looked like she was chewing on her words. “That is correct, sir.”
He spread his hands wide. “Then, my dear, I see no other option but for us to marry. You are a lady, and gentlemen don’t take advantage of ladies.”
