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“In five days’ time,” she said softly, curious at his lack of anger. “She was your fiancée once.”
The hard planes of his darkly handsome features shuttered. “Yes.”
“You ended the attachment?”
“Yes.”
“Because she created a scene?”
“You are well-informed.”
“I had thought that must be a ghastly rumor.”
“I cannot abide tears and screeching at the top of one’s lungs.”
Oh. “Forgive the harsh way in which I spoke to her.”
“I quite like your decisiveness.”
She smiled. “I believe I have found something you actually like about me, my lord.”
“There are several things I enjoy about you.”
Her heart stuttered and a strange sort of exhilaration pumped through her blood. “Such as?” she demanded.
“Your lips.”
Her heart began to pound with such strength she felt faint.
His eyes warmed with interest…and desire. “Your taste, scent, and your smile, they are all the same…captivating.”
“I would have you more intrigued by my character,” she said softly.
Her earl’s lips twitched and she tried not to stare helplessly at his sensual mouth.
“You expect me to appreciate your opinionated willful ways?”
She stiffened.
He leaned in even closer. “I assure you, you are growing on me.”
“That makes me sound like a wart, very unflattering.”
“Now that you mentioned it…”
The desire to touch him, to kiss his lips, was as overwhelming as it was inexplicable. Giving into a reckless impulse, she tipped and pressed her lips to his. She expected him to take command as he’d done in the closet, but instead he cradled her jaw in his large hands, keeping their kiss light and shatteringly sweet. Though their lips barely met, a thrilling sense of anticipation poured through her. With a soft groan, he deepened their embrace ever so slightly and ravished her mouth with a skilled eroticism that was spellbinding.
He lifted his head. “Why did you come to the library?”
“My parents are here. They arrived a few minutes ago and they are taking tea in the parlor with Lady Blade. I…I…excused myself to speak with you.”
“Ah.”
He dragged his thumb across her bottom lips. “And what did you wish to speak of?”
“I will marry you, as I promised last night, and I thank you for the offer,” she said tremulously. “I do not wish for you to burden my stepfather with the possibility of a child. I want nothing to distress him. The very
hint of impropriety and scandal will be painful enough—”
