Page 6 of How to Catch an Heiress

"There is nothing to be fooled by, my lady. What have I to gain by false flattery?"

Her mouth thinned. "My goodwill.”

He chuckled. "Honest flattery will accomplish that much quicker."

She scowled. "Does nothing make you angry? Wait," she added before he could reply, "my leaving without you this morning made you angry."

He shook his head. "Nae. Your foolhardy actions concerned me."

"Foolhardy?" She snorted. "This entire plot you have hatched is foolhardy."

"Forgive me for disagreeing, but your sisters are happily married. That is not foolhardy."

To his surprise, she didn't respondwith a quick retort. Instead, she studied him for a long moment."I find it interesting you knew just the right three men for my sisters."

He flashed a smile. "Some would call that fate."

"Some might call it strangely fortunate."

"I am a very fortunate man." He took a step closer. "Especially now that I am to marry you."

She blinked and seemed at a loss for words. The reaction lasted but an instant before her eyes narrowed again. “As I said, your flattery is wasted."

He stepped even closer. "What will do me good?"

She gave a small gasp of surprise. The sound sent a message directly to his cock and it took every ounce of will he had not to crush her to him. Not quite yet could he let her know the depth of his desire. In many ways, she wasn't the typical female. He detected no true deceit in her, but she was still a woman, and could be cagey if the need arose. He couldn’t chance her anticipating his moves.

She stared up at him, brown eyes wide, like a deer caught unawares. When he finally kissed her, he wanted her cognizant of its meaning.

Like a frightened deer, she retreated a step, and he didn't attempt to stop her when she hurried back inside. Stirling stared at the doorway where she'd disappeared. Roxburgh had told him she eloped four years ago. The duke made it clear that there was no guarantee that her virtue remained intact. Chastity didn't act like a woman who'd once had a lover. Was it possible she was still a virgin and feared the marriage bed?

He gave a low laugh. It was far more possible she was simply afraid of the way he made her feel.