“We have an arrangement that suits us both,” Liam replied through gritted teeth.
“Have you thought of the repercussions that will have within the family?” Andrew persisted.
Damn it all to hell. His brother made it seem like he was debauching an innocent.
That’s exactly what you did last night. You took her virginity.His conscience prodded him.
“If you don’t intend to marry her, leave her alone.”
“No!” The thought of marriage made him break out in a cold sweat, but leaving her was also unbearable.
“No to marrying her, or no to leaving her alone?” Andrew prodded.
Damnation. He had come here to rescue his brother and had ended up being interrogated by him.
“No, to both. And that’s the end of this discussion.”
“As you wish. But for what it’s worth, I think you should marry her. Judging by the possessiveness you are displaying, you are already halfway in love with this woman.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve known her for only a day.”
“Sometimes that’s all it takes. It’s time to leave the past behind, brother. Seize happiness. That’s all I wish for you.”
Leave the past behind. If only he could.
CHAPTER 17
“WHAT DO YOU THINK OFour siblings’ marriage?” Thalia asked that afternoon as they returned to London in Liam’s luxurious train carriage.
They had left the rectory shortly after breakfast and their respective conversations with their siblings, but then had to cool off their heels in the inn to allow for the carriage to be hitched to the afternoon train departing for London.
“I think they are young and foolishly in love. Only time will tell if they’ll be able to have a happy marriage. That being said, I liked your sister. She is not at all what I expected.”
“Oh? And what did you expect?” Thalia asked, genuinely puzzled.
“I don’t know. A beautiful but empty-headed debutante. Maybe even a little vain and spoiled.”
“Is that where your brother’s taste in women has run to in the past?”
Liam smiled at that. “Not at all. But then again, he had never consorted with young eligible ladies in the past. His tastes ran more to sophisticated older women of dubious reputation.”
“Then why would you think he’d be attracted to stupidity and vanity?”
“Hmm, I don’t know. I guess that’s my opinion of all debutantes.”
“Tsk, so much prejudice, my lord.”
“I admit it.” His eyes were heavy lidded, observing her with undisguised hunger. “Why don’t you come here and teach me a lesson?”
“We don’t have a sheath,” she reminded him, trying to sound stern but failing miserably when she was vibrating with the same need as he. “You threw it away.”
He made a face. “I hate reusing sheaths.”
“Who would have thought you’d be so squeamish?”
“I’m not squeamish about everything. And we could indulge in other activities that don’t involve intercourse. Do you remember how I ate your cunny last night until you came?”
Good Lord, the man was shameless. She stared at him with her mouth open in shock while her core melted with remembered pleasure.
