‘I’m sorry,’ she said, with an expression that was equally cynical. ‘I assumed you had to be joking.’
His smile softened. ‘What if I was not?’
Her heart was now beating so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She chose her words carefully, so he would not see how his suggestion had affected her. ‘Then, I would assume that what you were offering was an attempt to get me away from my chaperones with the promise of marriage, only to abandon me after you got what you wanted.’
‘What I wanted?’ His words were low and seductive.
She sighed to steady her pulse and refused to succumb to them. ‘Three days on the road is a long time for any girl to resist a practiced seducer.’
He smiled. ‘Practiced seducer. I rather like the sound of that. And I have put quite a bit of time into honing my skills on that front.’ He gave her another speculative look that made her insides flutter.
She took another steadying breath. ‘It was not meant as a compliment.’
‘I will take it as I see it,’ he said, unbothered. ‘You are not interested in testing your assessment of me at an inn somewhere on the road?’
‘Certainly not.’
‘Not even if I promise to let you lock the bedroom door.’
‘You have not said which side of it you would be on,’ she reminded him.
Now he laughed. ‘Point to you. Very well. I cannot persuade you to travel to Gretna Green.’
To emphasize her refusal, she stepped around him and began walking again.
He turned and hurried to catch up. ‘Would a more conventional marriage interest you? I could get a special license. We might be wed in a few days’ time with your friends and family in attendance.’
She resisted the urge to put her hands over her ears, afraid that it would be even more scandalous than the scene they probably presented. ‘The world would likely think you had dishonoured me and were forced at sword’s point to make the offer.’
‘Not the whole world,’ he replied. ‘I do not flatter myself to think I am that well-known.’
‘I am sure there are a few tribes in the Amazon who would not remark on our sudden vows. But anyone in London would gossip.’
He hurried in front of her and stopped, blocking her way. ‘Very well, then. A formal proposal. Banns read from the pulpit in St George’s and the most elaborate ceremony possible, with an archbishop presiding.’
He meant to abandon her at the altar. Or humiliate her by cheating, once they were married. Either would hurt Julian as much as it did her.
He glanced down at the pavement between them. ‘I will kneel here if you wish me to.’
‘Have you gone mad?’ she whispered, turning away to look in the nearest window.
‘You would prefer that I wait until we are somewhere less public?’ he whispered back, his head dipped close to hers so she could feel his breath against her ear.
She stepped away and stared up at him. ‘I would prefer that you refrain from talking nonsense.’
‘You find an offer of marriage from a peer nonsensical.’ He stepped back as well, and for a moment, she wondered if she had actually offended him. The playfulness had gone from his tone and his posture was rigid.
What could she say that would make him stop teasing her? She knew every word was a lie. And yet, this bantering was utter and delicious madness. It made her want to run to the carriage he had suggested and let him sweep her off to Scotland, casting her honour away like a bridal bouquet, to land where it would, somewhere on the way to the life of happiness she’d imagined.
But it was not real, and she should not treat it as such. She would not be a fool for him, no matter how much she wanted to be. She gave him a direct look, and said, ‘I have no illusions about my past or my future. I am a natural child—abastard,’ she said with blunt finality. ‘Even with my brother’s acknowledgement, it will count against me when an offer is made.’
‘From some, perhaps,’ he said.
‘But not from you?’ she said. ‘We have barely met.’
‘So you keep saying,’ he said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
She ignored the challenge and went on. ‘I do not take you seriously because, given who I am and who you are, it is far more likely you would offer me a slip on the shoulder than a church wedding.’
