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“Hardly,” he drawled. “I am fairly certain you are a virgin.” Her deepening blush spread to her neck. “But the only thing that would change if you are not is I will pleasurebothof us now before putting you in a carriage and sending you home, so I may call upon your uncle in the morning.” He took a step toward her, calling her bluff, and Miss Wilson stepped back.
“Fine!” She huffed, her chest rising and falling. “I am a virgin. More to the point, I amstilla virgin and therefore, uncompromised. You have done nothing more than… rumple the package a bit. You did notopenit.”
Hartford could not help himself, her analogy was too entertaining. He laughed, head falling back, hand on his chest laughter so contagious, after a moment, he heard her giggle. Grinning widely, he met her eyes again. Yes, she would do very well as his bride.
Passionate, adventurous, and with a sense of humor. He looked forward to learning all her mysteries, of which he was becoming very sure she had many. He even liked that she was not the type to draw attention to herself. Being the only applicant for her hand appealed, even if he had to shake his head at the blindness of his fellow men.
“So, you see?” she asked when her giggles subsided, holding her hands out in front of her pleadingly. “We do not need to marry.”
“Ah, but you misunderstand one thing,” he said, moving toward her. This time she did not step away, caught in his gaze. Rex grinned wickedly, taking her stubborn chin in his hand and holding it to keep her in place. “I had already intended to ask your uncle for permission to pay my address. Tonight has merely changed the timeline.”
Her eyes widened in pure shock, and Rex took the opportunity to steal a kiss. A searingly hot kiss so full of promise and pleasure, she slowly, reluctantly, began to return it, melting against him the longer he kissed her. When he finally lifted his head again, she narrowed her eyes at him.
“I am not going to marry a man who sends me home, then goes and indulges in…that… with another woman.”
Rex’s lips quirked in amusement. Already making demands, was she? Surprisingly, he chafed at the restriction. He already knew he had no interest in finding a playmate for the evening. Dallying with her had satisfied him, even if his own passion was still unfulfilled. He could certainly wait.
“I will not,” he reassured her. “Even before you arrived, I had already realized I had no interest. I was too busy desiring one particular woman, who, fortuitously, had already infiltrated my house. I was spending my time the same way I will after I send you home—looking for my friend, Lucas.”
Miss Wilson’s eyes widened.
“Oh… are you and he…” She sounded more fascinated than scandalized, and Rex laughed. Oh yes, Miss Wilson would fit in very nicely with the Society. Although the idea of her fitting intoowell no longer appealed the way it once had. He pushed aside the sudden, strangely possessive urge that had wormed its way into his emotions.
“No, my interests are exclusively female,” he said. “But I need to have a word with him and perhaps watch over him to see he does not get into trouble. Trust me, I will have my hands full.”
Pressing her lips together, Miss Wilson stepped back, pulling herself out of his grip, and tossed her head.
“Very well. You may ask my uncle for permission to court me,” she said.
“Court, not marry?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Court.” She nodded firmly. “I will not marry a man I do not know.”
“Of course.” A smile curved his lips. “You will just let him… rumple your package.”
Narrowing her eyes again, she apparently decided retreat was the better part of valor. Turning on her heel, she swept out the door, and Rex ambled after her. He would have Cormack bring round the unmarked carriage to return her home, although sneaking in would be left entirely up to her.
Should he escort her? No, probably not. If she were caught, and a man was seen in the carriage with her, there would be no choice but for them to marry immediately. While he would be satisfied with such a conclusion, he was in no rush now that he had his bride in his sights.
Besides, finding out why she was reluctant to wed and seducing her into changing her mind was sure to be an enjoyable endeavor.
Mary
Alone in the darkness of the carriage, Mary rubbed her temples.
The Marquess of Hartford wanted to marry her?Her? And had decided so before tonight?
Did she want to marryhim?
There were many reasons in favor of such a move. It would be a social coup for one, such as her. He was wealthy enough, she would never want for anything. It would mean she was properly settled and no longer in need of a third season. It would also provide her with plenty of opportunities to investigate the club and its members.
But…
He had promised not to indulge with another woman tonight—not that he would refrain forever.
Mary thought about the list of attributes her aunt and Arabella had encouraged her to put together. She had not thought to add faithfulness to it. She had not expected such a thing, if she was honest, despite the many examples of happy, faithful marriages she had seen among her cousins and their friends.
She had not expected it, but suddenly, she wanted it. Very much.
