Page 72 of How to Best a Marquess

Lovely? That was incredible.

She had only been with him and was innocent in the ways of men. Surely, she would throw him off of her and rush to Violet Lasher’s home if she understood what had just occurred. What could happen.

She shifted to look at him, her blue eyes bright and inquisitive. “You’ll keep your word? You won’t tell my family about tonight?”

He knew what she meant. She was more concerned about her earlier activities than what had just occurred in his library. The thought hung like a heavy cloud between them. He was aware of her gaze, waiting for his response.

Something shifted inside him, something that made his chest ache—not just physical, but more. He could have what he wanted, what he’d always wanted. He could protect her, keep her.

He’d agreed to one night. What a fool he’d been. One night would never be enough.

He spoke slowly, each word emphasized in its own way. “You asked me to promise to keep tonight’s activities a secret from your brother.”

She blinked. “Yes.”

“Lady Willoughby’s whereabouts will remain between you, me, and Violet Lasher upon one condition.”

She lifted her head to rest it in her hand. “A condition? What are you asking in exchange?”

He reached for her hand. “Marry me.”

Shocked, she could only stare. “What?”

“I’m asking you to marry me. You can have my name and the club if you marry me.”

“Why? Why would you ask me now?”

“We suit. We desire each other. It is more than most couples could wish for.”

At her silence, he pressed. “Be my wife.”

“I…I cannot. Lust is not love. It is not enough for me.” She shook her head. “And you needn’t do this.”

He felt a helpless stab of pain at her rejection, and a heaviness centered in his chest. She spoke of love. He hadn’t believed in that emotion in a long time and wasn’t ready to speak of it. He did know what he wanted, though, and he wasn’t about to be waylaid. “You’re right. I don’t need to. I want to.” He wanted her with a ferocity that made his jaw clench.

“I don’t know. For five years, I have wanted to be an independent woman.”

She didn’t need to add since he’d broken her heart. She’d wanted to marry him once. Why not now?

“Why this desire to be an independent woman?”

“I want control of my future. Surely, you can understand that need.”

He could. It was why he wanted the Raven. “What you truly seek is power. You shall have both power and control. You will have everything. My title. My wealth.”

“And the Raven Club?” she asked. “Does your proposal have to do with our competition? I can’t help but wonder at the timing of your offer. My brother is to decide shortly. Do you fear losing to me?”

His response was unhesitant. “That has nothing to do with it.”

She glanced away, swallowed, then met his gaze. “And what of my other activities?”

He ran a hand down her arm. He knew exactly what other activities she referred to. He did not want her involved at all. It was dangerous. Nothing reinforced his beliefs more than what had occurred tonight.

He wanted to deny her.

But he also wanted to marry her.

For a man who’d been in command in the military, giving up control—even a small amount of it—was torment. It reminded him of when he hadn’t had a say with his disciplinarian father years ago. Back then, Hugh had been forced by his father to give up Ellie.