Page 81 of The Seduction of an English Scoundrel

By the time they stopped for a luncheon at Cuckfield, no one was speaking at all, and it was a silent and stiff-limbed little party that tumbled out of the carriage that same evening at Grayson’s Georgian-style villa on a terrace overlooking the sea. Jane examined the graceful three-storied house in wary silence. The elegant red-brick facade impressed the eye as did its owner. Yet who knew what surprises lay within? She wondered what she’d learn about the man she loved behind those closed doors. What would she learn about herself?

They dispersed in the entrance hall with its marble pillars and a soaring plaster ceiling of Baroque design. Chloe locked herself in her suite, murmuring that she craved a sea bath and a glass of claret. Simon and Uncle Giles disappeared for a late-night stroll on the promenade, hoping to meet up with old friends.

Jane and Grayson stood alone. As he had undoubtedly planned. As she had secretly hoped, if she were to be honest with herself.

“Well,” she said, admiring a Ming vase on the corner pedestal in an attempt to pretend she were not on pins and needles. “Here we are. Is Heath joining us?”

“I’m really not sure.” Grayson watched her from the shadows, amused by her attempts to evade the inevitable. “Would you feel better if he were here?”

Her heart was beating furiously. “Why should I?”

He took her into his arms, murmuring, “My brother has a strange effect on women. Some are attracted to him. Others find him rather intimidating. Jane, my dear, is it possible that you are afraid of me?”

Afraid? Only of losing him, of ruining her own life.

“I begin to think I don’t know you, Grayson,” she said in a subdued tone.

“Have I not proven myself your friend?” he asked, his hand sliding up her nape, his thumb stroking the tender spot behind her ear.

His caress brought heat to the surface of her skin. “I suppose that depends on one’s definition of friendship.”

“Oh, Jane,” he said in a deep, sardonic voice. “Always so on guard.” He blew softly against her ear.

Her voice faltered. “Apparently my guard has failed me.”

“Then perhaps the wisest . . . the wickedest course is to surrender.”

“And then?” she asked, her breath catching.

“I don’t know.” He asked lightly, “Why spoil the surprise? I suppose we shall have to follow our instincts and let the dice fall where they may.”

She swallowed over the knot in her throat. “There is a little more at stake than you realize. At least for me.”

“But there is so much pleasure to be gained.”

“Stop,” she whispered.

“I cannot stop.” He shrugged helplessly. “I won’t stop. Not until you are mine in every way.”

She shivered in reaction, despite herself. “This isn’t the way I wanted it to be.”

“Do we always have a choice in our lives, Jane?”

“I would hope so,” she said, her voice almost inaudible. “Yet perhaps not always.”

“Will you accept my offer?” he whispered, his other hand already unfastening the back of her gown, stroking, stealing down her spine. His charade had almost come to its end. He would not tease his scheming love much longer, using what remained of his time to full advantage. His lesson could go only so far. Every time he looked into her beautiful green eyes, he felt his anger melt a little more. Soon it would be gone. They would make amends to each other.

“Do you not love me at all, Jane?” he murmured.

She met his gaze, her voice clear, her eyes clouded with emotion. “You know I do, or I would not be here.”

In this, at least, Grayson knew she had given him an honest answer. He knew Jane now. Her secret fears, her cunning. The key to her desires. And for an instant, he questioned the benefits of continuing this charade. Perhaps she had misled him, but she, too, had fallen in love with a fraud.

He was not the rescuer he had presented himself to be. He was not a hero, but he loved her. He loved her with a desperation that brought both his strengths and weaknesses into play.

And in the end, they would belong to each other. Their game would soon be over. Their future as man and wife would begin. She would understand she could never deceive him again. Nor would she need to.

She would realize she could trust him not only with her secrets, but with her life. All their passion and capacity for love would be centered on each other.