Trust me, Mr. Maxwell.” No more Christian name familiarity for him! “Greyden Kane has never had to ‘overwhelm’ anyone.” He was overwhelming enough on his own.
It was too dark to tell for certain, but she thought Kellan might have flushed. “Since we are speaking plainly, I must express my surprise that you would fall so readily into the clutches of such a man.”
Rose’s eyes narrowed and she took a step toward him as flames of anger leaped to life within her breast. “By ‘such a man; you refer, of course, to the duke. The very same man who came to my father’s aid when his so-called friends abandoned him. The same man who took my mother and I in after my father’s death and kept us from a life of poverty and no prospects. The very man who was a friend when others-including you-turned their back.” Rage tightened her jaw and clenched her fingers into fists. “I would rather fall into his ‘clutches,’ Kellan, than depend on your friendship, which was proven itself far less palatable than this swill Lady Frederick calls punch. Excuse me.”
She shoved the glass into his hand, not caring that some of the sugary liquid splashed over his fingers. And then she whirled on her heel and left him standing alone, and went back inside to face the stares with as much dignity as her anger would give her.
That he was an arse seemed to be the general consensus of the day.
Kathryn SmithSo, of course Rose decided this would be a good time to discuss such matters. “I would also like to know if you know ways to prevent pregnancy.”
He choked on a grape. She lurched toward him, but he coughed and spat the villainous fruit on the grass. He wiped at his watery eyes with the back of his hand as he turned his face to her once more. “That will teach me not to chew sufficiently.”
Rose smiled shakily, her heart skipping. “You scared me.” What if he had choked to death right in front of her?
She couldn’t even begin to contemplate life without him.
“You stunned me. That’s not exactly something you bring up out of the blue.” His eyes twinkled. “Was it the mention of your puppy? Are you frightened of having a litter?”
When he looked at her like that-like they were friends and so much more-it made her insides feel like leaves blowing in the wind. Her gaze slid to her lap. “I would like us to have some time together before we have children.”
Some of the tenderness drained from his expression. “I should have taken precautions last night. I’m sorry. I didn’t think of children, only…”
“Only what?” If it made his eyes warm like that, she wanted to know what he’d been thinking.
His gaze locked with hers, so sharp and hot. “I thought only of how it felt to be naked inside you.”
A hard throb pulsed low and deep inside her, bringing sexual awareness speeding to the surface. It had been different without the “French Letter.” It had been better than the times at Saint’s Row, even though she wouldn’t have thought that possible. But that difference wasn’t entirely physical, she knew that. “And how did that feel?” Lord, was that warble really her voice?
Grey regarded her from beneath heavy lids. “Like heaven.”
Dear God, the man knew exactly what to say to her. She was already leaning toward him, pulled by some invisible string. “Really?”
He reached out, cupping her jaw with his warm hand. His thumb brushed her lower lip, pulling it just a little. “Really. And if we weren’t out in the open I’d show you.”
“I’d let you,” she replied breathlessly.
The air between them seemed to crackle. If lightning struck the ground between them it wouldn’t surprise her.
Grey rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Come with me.
What should I tell people if they ask about you? Before I could plead some kind of ignorance, but as your wife…”
She shouldn’t have to ask these things. It shouldn’t be a burden for her to bear. “Tell them I’d rather slit my own throat than associate with them.”
Rose looked horrified at the thought-so much so that Grey’s heart pinched. She really was adorable. “Or, you could tell them that you have thoroughly exhausted me in bed and I am unable to draw the strength needed to rouse myself.”
That brought a sparkle back into her eyes. “I rather fancy that. It would certainly set tongues wagging, wouldn’t it?
That was delightful.”
Grey chuckled, flashing a lopsided grin that made his eyes sparkle like aquamarines. “You make me feel…”
“Yes?”
He shook his head, surprising her with the degree of awe and self-consciousness in his expression as he drew back, and helped her down from the table. “That’s it. You make me feel.”
Rose smiled and kissed him. It wasn’t exactly a declaration of love, but he was getting closer.
It would do for now.
Does your husband dictate where you can and cannot go?”
The woman looked as though she expected to be proven right.
“My husband would never do that.” Rose informed her coolly. “Although there will always be unsavory characters at any social gathering, my husband trusts me to decide the ones I wish to attend.”
The woman flushed, and Rose felt a certain amount of satisfaction in knowing that her barb had struck a nerve. “If that’s true, he must have changed immensely since the days when we were acquainted.”
Ahh. Now the claws came out. No wonder the woman had made such vile aspirations earlier. She was jealous.
“He has.” Rose held the other woman’s gaze, not caring a whit for how she said the word “acquainted.” This woman had slept with her husband, and oddly enough she wasn’t the least bit jealous. She did, however, feel sorry for the woman because Grey had been a different man back then. “My husband is very attentive and courteous to my wishes. I couldn’t be more satisfied with my situation.” Oh God, had she actually said that? The innuendo practically stood up on its own and waved to everyone in the room.
What was it about Grey-no, about this woman-that made her feel as though she had to defend her marriage, and brag about her sex life? It was just so pretty.
“You were once a friend of the duke’s, were you not, Lady Devane?” The woman-whose name Rose could not remember-slanted a devious glance in the blonde woman’s direction.
Everyone looked at Lady Devane, because everyone knew the rumors and everyone wanted to see not only Rose’s reaction, but Lady Devane’s as well. Vultures.
Eve pressed her knee against Rose’s, giving her some well-needed support.
“I was, Lady Gosling,” Lady Devane replied smoothly. “But that was a long time ago, back when he was a man who never thought to marry.” She smiled at Rose. “And then he met the one woman who could tempt him. I believe you must be an extraordinary woman, Your Grace.”
Rose could have kissed her, for in that one moment, the woman who could have easily become her enemy proved herself a friend. And not only a friend, but she let every woman in that room know what she thought of their vicious tongues.
“Thank you, Lady Devane.” Rose flashed a genuine smile. “But I feel that I am the fortunate one.”
Lady Gosling-what a ridiculous title!-said nothing. Tight-lipped, she turned away and went off in search of other prey.
Yes, Rose thought, as Eve discreetly squeezed her hand and whispered, “Old hag,” she was fortunate. But Grey was obviously the smarter of the two of them, because he had enough sense to stay the hell at home.
We used to run all the time as boys, remember?”
Archer’s grin grew. “I remember Tryst trying to keep up. Poor little bastard.
We’re just discussing details of Bronte’s wedding.”
Rose’s lips curved as she walked toward him. “Gentlemen discussing wedding details? I think the world must be ending.” Picking up his glass, she took a drink of lemonade. It was an innocent, innocuous gesture-and one of the most arousing things he’d ever seen.
Archer chuckled, seemingly obviously to Grey’s dumb state. “Lucifer is putting on his ice skates as we speak. And on that note, I’m afraid it is time for me to take my leave. I promised Mama I would escort both she and Bronte to the ball tonight, and I have yet to find a suitable mask.”
“I look forward to trying to ascertain your identity this evening,” Rose remarked with a smile that seemed only slightly strained. Regardless, the sight filled Grey with unease.
“As do I.” Archer bowed over her hand before leaning down to whisper, “Arse,” in Grey’s ear and punched him in the arm. Hard.
Sometimes, Grey hated his brother.
You’d have a better time without me.” It wasn’t a direct refusal.
She folded her arms beneath the swell of her lovely bosom. “No, I won’t. And I don’t understand how you can expect me to face the gossips on my own.”
“I don’t expect you to do anything. You seem to be the one with the expectations.” Oh, yes, this was good. Getting defensive was so manly of him.
“Is it wrong of me to expect you to act like a husband?”
“Plenty of husbands do not attend balls with their wives.”
“Yes, but those wives generally find someone to keep them company later.”
Heat rushed to Grey’s cheeks as the meaning of her words struck him. “Are you planning to take a lover, Rose?”
“Of course not.” Rose regarded him as though he were a bothersome child. “I just want you to come with me. You are a duke, for heaven’s sake. You can tell them all to go to hell and get away with it. You have nothing to be afraid of.”
She couldn’t seem to get further than that. She thought he was afraid. That he was a coward. That stung. No, that pissed him off. But how could he make her understand?
“I’m not afraid of them, Rose.” Not really. “I just don’t want to be around those people. I don’t like them.”
“You can’t dislike all of them.” All her disdain was missing was a good eye-rolling.
No doubt he was brooding upstairs in their bedroom, or perhaps in his study, wishing to God that he’d had the sense to stay the hell away from her as her father asked of him.
God knew there had been a few moments as of late when she’d thought the very same.
And then she realized that she would rather be miserable with Grey than content with any other man. How pathetic and deranged was that?
« ; premier précédent
Page 8 de 9.
suivant dernier » ;
Data privacy
Imprint
Contact
Diese Website verwendet Cookies, um Ihnen die bestmögliche Funktionalität bieten zu können.