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“I never thought I’d live to see the day a Godwick went begging,” she said. “The Queen will be at my front door selling magazine subscriptions to pay for Prince Philip’s heart pills next.”
Arthur’s stomach clenched. Charlie did nothing these days but make bad decisions in bad company. A wealthy earl’s son was an easy target for all sorts of predators—social climbers, criminals, con artists. Anything could happen to Charlie if he was left on his own, which is why Arthur would do anything to help him. That, and a little guilt, too. If things hadn’t blown up with Wendy…
“Anything, Regan. I will do anything. Please.”
“Anything?”
“Anything,” he said.“Anything.”
He would get on his knees right now and kiss her boots if she’d show a little mercy. He’d scrub her kitchen floor with his toothbrush. As long as it wasn’t murder, rape, or kicking a dog, he’d do it.
She smiled again and shook her head. “Anything,” she repeated. “Well, thatisa tempting offer.”
Arthur almost sank to his knees in relief. Whatever she asked of him, he told himself, no matter how degrading or humiliating, he would do it.
“If you need a dishwasher, I’ll wash your dishes. I’ll wash the hotel’s dishes. I’ll hold your umbrella in a hurricane. I’ll—”
“Sleep with me?”
He stared at her. “Now youarejoking.”
“I’m a widow. It’s been lonely since Sir Jack died. Busy with the hotel. Too busy to date. How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Perfect age,” she said.“Old enough not to put me in prison, young enough you can still be taught.”
Taught.
Every nerve in Arthur’s body rang like a bell at that word.The implications of it, theinsinuations…the images it brought to mind. His breathing quickened. His body warmed. Even in the cool November air, he burned.
“I can’t sleep with you,” he said. “We don’t even know each other.”
“Oh, Charlie’s told me loads about you. Accepted into both Oxford and Cambridge. Instead you picked Sandhurst, where you excelled, of course, because you apparently excel at everything you do. I hear you’re joining the army in January. Congratulations, Lieutenant Godwick. You’re considered something of the black sheep of the Godwick family simply because you’ve never gotten into any trouble. Must be the milkman’s boy.”
“We don’t have a milkman.”
“Charlie seems to think you’re a regular Mary Poppins—practically perfect in every way. No wonder he hates you.”
“My brother doesn’t hate me.”
“You’re right. He hates himself because of you. Even worse. Personally, I don’t think you are practically perfect in every way. If you were, you would have already said no to my offer.”
“You’re an attractive rich widow. There’s absolutely no reason you’d need to buy someone to have sex with you.”
“No, no, no. I don’tneedto. Iwantto.”
He let that sink into his soul and settle down there. “Just sex?”
“Of course not. It’ll be much more interesting than that,” she said. “Shall we say ten nights? That’s how many nights Charlie spent here. Ten for ten. And then you can skip home to glorious Wingthorn Manor with Lord Malcolm under your arm, Mummy and Daddy Godwick none the wiser.”
She checked her watch. “Offer expires in sixty seconds. You know, I haven’t been with anyone since my husband died. Don’t you feel sorry for me?”
“No.”
“I wouldn’t either if I were you. My husband was a controlling old prick, and I’m in heaven now that he’s dead and gone. But I’m only thirty, and I haven’t been fucked in months. Just this morning, I was thinking how pleasant it would be to tie a nice young man to my bedposts.”
“Tie me to your bedposts.” He had to be sure he’d heard her correctly.
