Page 30 of The Lady’s Great Escape

“Yes?”

“What happens now?” She had wanted to take a lover. At the time she’d enacted this plan she hadn’t been sure what it entailed, but now she hoped Kit might be interested in taking up that position.

“We should marry,” he said.

Marry? The word tumbled through her mind absently. Almost as if she’d never heard it before. When it finally settled, she pulled away.

“Marry? Why?”

“I deflowered you.”

“I’m a widow. I planned to take a lover, not settle with another husband. I want to experience… things.”

“I assure you we will experience many things if you become my wife.” He brushed his fingers along her temple causing another shiver.

“But that would be it. Just you. Forever. Until I die.”

“Yes. They specifically state that in the vows.” He gave a quick nod.

“No. I had that already.”

He cleared his throat. “Forgive me for pointing out that you did not have that. You were married for a year and were still a virgin until two nights ago. I’m glad for it, don’t get me wrong, but you did not experience the joys of a real marriage with Hamlin.”

“And you know these joys? You, the bachelor who goes out nightly with my brother to experience all sorts of debauchery?”

“We also have married friends, so I know there is something to be said in having a partner who knows you better than anyone. There’s freedom in knowing they want to please you as much as you wish to please them. To know they are yours and you are theirs. No, I haven’t experienced it, but I long for it. As I told you before, I plan to take a wife this season. You and I obviously suit. Please be my wife.”

“No,” she said rather abruptly and shook her head. “I want adventure. I want lovers and to be open to do whatever I wish. With whomever I want. I want freedom.”

She tried not to focus on the fact that as of right now, Kit was the man she wanted most. How he made her heart pound and heat pool in her most intimate places, made her consider for a moment the thought of being in his bed each night.

But surely, she would feel the same with another man as soon as she found one.

And she would find one, because she would not marry Kit now that he wanted to marry. Not when he’d rejected her when she’d needed him.