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“Matthew…”
“Are you still frightened of me, Jennette?”
She nodded. “What do you want from me?”
He laughed in such a soft tone it made her tremble again. “I had to see you.”
“Why? You promised to stay away from me.” She closed her eyes in thought. Anger surged when she realized the only reason he could be here. She glared up at him. “You only came to me because you need money, don’t you?”
“Who doesn’t?”
“No,” she said. “You want to blackmail me, am I right?”
He leaned in closer until the scent of his sandalwood soap teased her nose. “Blackmail is such an ugly word.”
“I heard about your father and brother’s accident. And I know about your finances.”
He glanced away from her for a moment. A hint of vulnerability crossed his face. “I didn’t think anyone else knew about my situation,” he whispered.
“Word of an earl’s finances spreads swiftly through the gossipmongers.”
“It really doesn’t matter.” His cold eyes stared into hers. “I didn’t come to beg you for money.”
If he didn’t want money, what could he possibly want from her? She had nothing else she could offer him.
“What do you want from me?”
“Your hand in marriage, of course,” he whispered nonchalantly.
Matthew watched as her brilliant blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight. What the devil had he just said to her? He’d only come to the party to see her, admire her from afar. Perhaps gather the courage to speak with her and tell her of his return to Society.
Not propose marriage!
When she’d stepped out into the garden, he knew he had to speak with her. But only to let her know that he was in town and what his plans were.
Not propose marriage.
Every time he was near her, he said the most foolish things. He couldn’t take his gaze from her. The woman was still an “Incomparable” in the mind of the ton and with good reason. Her tall, slim body, black hair, and blue eyes made her a novelty amongst the petite blondes and brunettes. And the ton always loved something new. She had an alluring maturity now that seemed even more enticing. It was an absolute wonder she hadn’t married by now.
“My what?” she finally blurted.
“Your hand in marriage,” he repeated softly. He had no idea why he continued in this vein. He couldn’t marry her. Even if it would solve most of his problems.
“To you?”
“Yes.”
Her face contorted as if she were trying to determine the reason for his proposal. Finally, she looked up at him and simply said, “No.”
Matthew almost smiled. “I don’t believe you have thought this through, Jennette.”
“There is nothing to think through, my lord,” she answered in a condescending voice. “I have no plans to marry you or any other man.”
“You have no choice in this matter.”
“Oh my God, you mean to blackmail me into marriage!”
He hated how that sounded, no matter how true. The idea of blackmailing her into marriage sounded sweet in his mind. At least as far as the benefits marriage would bring him. Her sensual body had haunted him for years.
