“I replied.”
Josephine wanted to scream in frustration. “Yes, but I don’t believe you understand the importance of my request.”
“I’m aware. No brooch. No inheritance. I was listening, Lady Josephine. Unlike you, who continue to persist in ignoring my answer. Which is still no.”
“But…” She raised her voice. “You haven’t bothered to tell me why.”
This time Lavisham smiled broadly, the lines at the corner of his eyes crinkling, making him not simply handsome but…breathtaking.
“It is a family treasure,” she pleaded, heart stopping in her chest at that smile.
“Then it should not have been wagered in a game of cards,” Lavisham replied. He waved over a footman, who plucked the now ruined tobacco from the puddle. “Take that to McKay’s. Perhaps he can do something with it. Ask him to replace my order.”
The footman bowed and hurried off.
“But—” Josephine stuttered.
His teeth flashed at her in the sunlight. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again, my lady. You seem to enjoy walking past my home.” Lavisham leaned a bit closer, and Josephine caught that enticing smell of salt air and clean linen. “I assure you, I’ve made sure all the doors and lower windows are locked.”
“I am only on my way to the park,” she countered. “Your home is on the way.”
“The upper floors as well.” He gave a small chuckle. “I don’t trust you not to attempt to jump from the roof next door or find an exceptionally tall ladder.”
“I can use a rope.” The words flew out of her mouth, forgetting she was supposed to be convincing Lavisham and failing miserably.
“I doubt that very much. Did you really nearly knock the head off one of your father’s footmen during a game of pall-mall?”
Embarrassment singed her cheeks. “That is not relevant to the brooch.”
“I understand that at one point,” Lavisham said, his grin making him more beautiful, “while out riding, you caught your skirts in a tree branch which pulled you sideways but did not unseat you.”
“Because I am an excellent horsewoman. I am very capable.” Her riding habit, had in fact, been torn from the lower half of her body during a hunt. The ends had flapped about creating such a diversion the fox had escaped. “The saddle wasn’t properly cinched.” She took a deep breath. “I find you unpleasant.”
Lavisham’s brilliant blue gaze trailed over her in an indolent manner, sparking bits of heat along Josephine’s body. “I would have to agree.”
Marcus had a brief flash of insanity, standing before Josephine Harrington, his bold Valkyrie. The entire time she spoke, all he could think of was once more having her luscious form beneath his own. He didn’t even care about the ruined tobacco. Besides, all he could smell was lavender and vanilla. Like the most glorious of cakes. Marcus wanted to eat her up, one bite at a time.
I could simply toss her in my carriage and seduce her.
He was fairly certain, by the flush creeping up her skin, that she would be agreeable. But a duke, especially one with Marcus’s reputation, could hardly abscond with a young lady of good family in front of witnesses. But he wanted to touch her so badly his fingers stretched towards her and his cock…well he was grateful his coat hid the worst of it.
He’d made discreet inquiries on Lady Josephine. The part about her inheritance was entirely true—apparently all her sisters had received similar tasks. She was considered a bit…awkward, clumsy and of dubious athletic ability.
All of which Marcus found strangely endearing. He knew what it was like, trying to find something special about yourself. A trait others valued. In that, he and Josephine were much alike.Dukes had to prove themselves as well. But that didn’t mean he would hand over the brooch.
Marcus was having far too much fun.
Also, he didn’t care to be manipulated, and it was certain that Kenbrooks had done so. The old duke had been right, but that was hardly the point.
“I find you unpleasant.”
Marcus had to bite his lip to keep from laughing out loud. Women never said such things to him. Perhaps that was why he enjoyed her so much. Or it could be Josephine’s continued belief in her athletic abilities when, according to his discreet inquiries, the fact she hadn’t injured herself or anyone else yet was nothing short of a small miracle.
“I would have to agree.”
Marcus turned and jumped into his carriage, leaving his lovely Valkyrie to fume and debate over how best to gain the advantage and get the brooch. He couldn’t wait to see what she’d do next.
Foreplay was everything. He’d always thought so.
