“I know,” she said. “I am not looking for him.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “But you have seen him.”
“Yes,” she replied. She took a deep breath and added, “I am afraid I dismissed him.”
He turned to stare at her, both brows high. “Dismissed him?”
“Yes. Will it be a terrible inconvenience to engage a new solicitor?”
He blinked, clearly taken aback. “No ... But, may I ask why you felt it necessary to dismiss him?”
With relief she noticed he did not demand to know what gave her the right to do so.
She said, “Do you need to ask why?”
His grey-blue eyes glinted. “You thought it would be awkward to marry him were he still my solicitor?”
She shook her head. “I do not plan to marry your solicitor.”
“No?”
“No. But I do think it would be awkward to be married toyouwere he still your solicitor.” How forward, she realized, neck heating. Would he rebuff her then and there?
His mouth quirked. “Afraid you’ll be tempted to go astray?”
“Not at all,” she said evenly. “But it would be painful for him to see the two of us happy together.”
He stilled, as though holding his breath. “And will we be happy together?”
“I dearly hope so.”
He studied her closely. “I already told you I will support Danny. You needn’t marry me. James Lowden is younger, good-looking, and clearly in love with you.”
She held his gaze and took a small step closer. “Yes, Sir John, all those things are true.” She looked down and then back up. “But he is not the one I want....”
The sentence was barely out of her mouth before he hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
“What are you trying to do to me?” he asked, voice hoarse, his breath warm at her temple.
“I’m trying to ... convince you.”
He eased back just far enough to look her full in the face. With his free hand, he smoothed a lock of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “Convince me of what, Miss Rogers?”
His eyes sparked with challenge, as if daring her to say the words he longed to hear.
“That I love you,” she whispered, softly but firmly, placing her hand over his heart.
“And if I were not recovered? If I were still confined to an invalid chair?”
She traced gentle fingers along his jaw. “I was ready to be your wife then, before Marianna returned. Before you could even walk. I admire you, Sir John, whether sitting or standing.”
For several moments he simply stood there, gazing down at her. Then one corner of his mouth quirked. “Miss being Lady Mayfield, do you?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
He chuckled. “Lady Maybe, that’s what I shall call you.”
She bit her lip and looked up at him from beneath her lashes. “I can think of several other endearments I would prefer.”
