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Sabrina flicked a nervous glance in Fairford’s direction. “Ah…yes, of course, my lord.” She’d lied to him regarding her skill at the game, for Georgiana had once told her a man did not like to think his woman was more intelligent than himself. It might be off-putting if he discovered she was good enough to beat the likes of Sheffield, who was a player of some renown.
“Excellent! Then I hereby claim a match,” said Sheffield.
“I don’t suppose you’ve heard the news,”
interjected Lady Aylesford as she came up behind Sheffield with a group of guests. “Our Sabrina has had a newly discovered flower named after her by the Royal Society, thanks to Lord Fairford!”
After an hour or so, Sabrina thought she’d go mad if she had to retell the story one more time. As if a silly flower mattered in the least. It had been a ploy to win her affections, nothing more. She longed for peace and quiet, but the din only rose as more people arrived. Obviously, Mama’s idea of a “small gathering” was everyone else’s idea of a large, noisy throng.
By the time they finally moved outdoors, she was extremely grateful. Fairford now lay on a blanket across from her, watching while she set up the chessboard again. They had played four rounds thus far, and she’d purposely lost two of them. Two moves ago, she had deliberately put her queen in jeopardy, ensuring his win.
She gazed at the others out enjoying the day and spied her mother and Sheffield strolling across the lawn, chatting amiably. Her mother was smiling, her face filled with contentment. There was not a hint of any passion between them whatsoever, not even the faintest whiff of the kind of insanity she experienced with Henry.
They have exactly what I desire.
“Checkmate,” Fairford murmured, tipping her king. He arose and stretched. “I believe I’m ready for a constitutional.”
“Of course, my lord,” she said, rising to join him. “The orchards should be particularly fine on a day like this.”
Sauntering past manicured lawns and bordered gardens, they entered the lush green of the orchards. Spring had at last arrived, and every twig was swollen with fat, fuzzy green buds.
Stopping beneath the spreading branches of a gnarled old apple tree, he turned to her. Before he could so much as utter a word, however, she stepped right up to him and kissed him firmly on the mouth. In the conservatory, she’d been timid, reticent. It was time to see if she could bring herself to feel some sort of attraction for him.
At first, it was gentle and not entirely unpleasant. The moment she brushed her tongue against his lips, however, everything changed. With a groan, he backed her up against the bole of a tree and ground his pelvis into her belly.
She refrained from rolling her eyes. All men seemed to be led by the beast between their legs. She tolerated it—until his hands began fumbling at her breasts. Without thinking, she sank her teeth into his bottom lip in protest. The salty tang of blood touched her tongue, and she shoved him away just as he moaned in pain.
She’d felt no reciprocal desire whatsoever. No tingles, no flashes of liquid heat, no shivers of pleasure. Only revulsion. “Please accept my apologies, my lord. I—I don’t know what possessed me.”
He moved in behind her and grasped her shoulders lightly. “You need not apologize, my dear. Not to me. The truth of the matter is that you only barely beat me to the mark. I fully intended to kiss you the moment we were out of view,” he murmured, caressing the tip of her ear with his lips.
She shrank away from his touch. “I think we had better return.” She could not seem to overcome her reaction to him.
His hands tightened on her shoulders. “I think not. Not just yet.”
Turning her around, he hauled her close and dug his fingers into the hair at the base of her skull, preventing any escape. Startled, she began to struggle as his tongue delved deep into her mouth. She pushed at him with her other hand, but he only grabbed her wrist in a viselike grip. She gasped and kicked at him as the delicate bones rubbed together painfully. It was to little effect, however, for her heavy skirts prevented any real contact.
A chuckle escaped him as she squirmed, and his fingers tightened in her hair, wresting a whimper from her throat. The tiny sound seemed to satisfy some need in him, and he broke away. She stood there, shaking. Disgust filled her. She’d heard of men who enjoyed violent love play.
He smiled benevolently. “Forgive me, my darling,” he said, caressing her cheek. She flinched. “You simply bring out the beast in me. How can any man hope to maintain his self-control with you?”
She forced out a flirtatious chuckle, unwilling to let him see that he had upset her. “Surely not you, my lord? A man of the world such as yourself has probably lost count of the number of ladies he’s kissed.”
“None so inspiring as you,” he answered smoothly. “They were a mere candle to your bright sun. I cannot remember a single name in your presence, other than your own sweet syllables. You drive me mad with your charms.”
She concentrated on the grass at her feet. “You flatter me, my lord.”
He moved in behind her. “I never offer an insincere compliment.” She forced down her panic as he reached around to caress the side of her breast and then moved lower, flattening his palm against her belly. “And when I say you drive me to madness, I truly mean it.” He pressed himself against her buttocks for emphasis. “I want you,” he whispered at her ear. “Now.”
She stepped away. “I am no lightskirt, my lord. I shan’t give myself to any man but my lawful husband.”
“Then marry me, and let’s have done with this ridiculous game.”
Her brows lifted in response to his tone. “If it is a game, then surely you understand that the stakes are highest for me.”
He addressed her in a more conciliatory manner. “I’m ready to make a commitment here and now. I’ll make a fine husband, Sabrina. I’m wealthy, titled, decent looking.” He smiled boyishly. “Marry me, and I’ll make you the envy of all women.”
Such arrogance! No woman ever brought up the competition during a marriage proposal, but she did not hesitate. “I should be the envy of all women if I married Lord Montgomery as well. Why should I choose you over him?”
