“I did n—”
She wanted to say she had not kissed him back. But that was a blatant lie, and she was no liar. “I did. I...couldn’t help myself,” she said with chagrin.
The smile that spread across his face was radiant with triumph. “And honest too. Could you be any more perfect?”
“I’m hardly perfect. In fact, some people do not regard those qualities as desirable.”
“I’m not some people. I find all your attributes delectable.”
“Please, don’t tease me. I know I’m no diamond of the first water. I’ve had two and a half failed seasons. It’s the reason my mother is resorting to desperate measures.”
“Oh? I am a choice made out of desperation, then? How lowering to be considered so.”
“Please, my lord. You must know you are one of the biggest prizes on the marriage mart. The desperate measures I was referring to was resorting to trickery. That was dishonest and humiliating.”
“But effective.”
“What do you mean?” She frowned in puzzlement.
“I’m here with you, am I not?”
“This is merely an escapade.”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking about calling on you tomorrow and asking for permission to court you.”
Her mouth fell open in what she felt sure was a very unflattering gesture. Had she heard that right? Lord Andrew Radcliffe courting her? The overabundant, opinionated wallflower who had two failed seasons?
It could not be.
CHAPTER 6
ANDREW COULD NOT BELIEVEhe was actually proposing a proper courtship. This had been the most reckless decision in a life that included investing his entire inheritance in a highly speculative enterprise, and joining a group fighting for women’s rights.
He waited for the dread and regret to set in him. But it never came. He was actually excited about courting this extraordinary young woman. His brother would think he had taken leave of his senses. His grandmother would gloat that she knew what was best for him all along.
He didn’t care.
Let everyone think what they would. The fact was that his other bold moves had yielded excellent results. His investment had quadrupled his inheritance. And even if the divorce laws and women’s rights hadn’t changed, people were making great strides towards that goal.
Maybe this madcap courtship would turn out well. Either that or he was making the worst mistake of his life.
Lady Artemis looked unflatteringly shocked. “You want to court me? Why?”
“I find you interesting, and refreshing, and so gorgeous I’ve been having a hard time behaving around you. All I can think about is taking you to one of the rooms in this place and showing you all the things you have been yearning to learn.”
Her eyes widened at his bold words. Most virgins would be outraged. But his tempting huntress was aroused. A bolt of lust shot to his groin, making his trousers uncomfortably tight.
“I’m not beautiful,” she protested weakly.
“I didn’t say you are beautiful.” When her face fell with embarrassment, he went on. “Beautiful is too bland a word to apply to you. I said you are gorgeous. Irresistible, alluring, tempting, unique. You are bold, brave, curious. Honest to a fault.”
“You can’t know all that from one brief meeting.”
“Oh, but I do. And I want to discover even more about you.”
“What if you later decide we won’t suit?”
“That’s what the courtship is for. If either of us finds we won’t suit, we’ll end the courtship. What say you, my goddess of the hunt? Are you ready to catch your prey, or allow yourself to be caught?”
