“Indeed.” He leaned back a little, letting the horses dawdle. “So this ruination of yours…?” The question hung in the air.
“Being once wed, I’m assuming you are familiar with the-theintimatenature of marriage?”
“Ah—yes.”My, this was getting interesting.
“And the fact that women aren’t supposed to know anything about them?” Charis’ cheeks were coloring slightly and she refused to meet his gaze.
“I’ve heard rumors.”
“Well. So—I didn’t quite conform to that belief.”
“It is a bit of a silly theory, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She turned then and stared at him, eyes ablaze. “It is utterly stupid. Why shouldn’t a woman experience the pleasures of the marriage bed? And if she anticipates her vows a little, should it be the end of the world? Men can tomcat around all they want and they’re applauded for it. But if a woman should have desires—needs—she’s immediatelyruined.”
“The idiot refused to marry you, I take it?”
Charis snorted. “He never got the chance to make a formal offer. My father had him shipped off to France. Not good enough for the Forbes-Wilkinsons, he said. And I was tainted goods, so I was exiled until the scandal had died down and someone could manage to overlook my fall from grace. Which brings us back to the lackwit.”
“Ah, yes. The lackwit. He’s overlooking this problem, is he?”
“Apparently so. They want me to tie myself for the rest of my life to a man I don’t know. To be a dutiful wife to a chucklehead who clearly either wants to marry into my family—something which immediately sets up my hackles—or has gone through four wives already in pursuit of an heir.”
“Fourwives?”
She waved his comment aside. “You know what I mean.”
“I do. ‘Tis the way of our world, you know. A man does prefer that his first child, most probably his heir, is indeed the fruit of his own loins.”
Charis nodded. “I understand that. But it’s the whole business of branding a woman yet praising a man that sticks in my craw. And you know something?” She gestured with her hands. “I’m not ashamed to admit I enjoyed it.”
“Really? Good for you.”
Recalled to her surroundings, Charis subsided with a blush. “Forgive me, Mr Randall. This is an extremely improper conversation. I apologize if I’ve embarrassed you.”
Sinjun, who was enjoying himself a hell of a lot more than he’d ever imagined when he’d started out that morning, shook his head. “Not at all, Miss Charis. I’m a man, thus immune to embarrassment.”
“You see? You can listen to all this and not get your petticoats in a twist.” She wrinkled her nose. “All right, so you’re not wearing petticoats. But the point is—” She leaned toward him in emphasis. “The pointis,you can admit you enjoy—things—and not get horrified gasps when you say so. You can spend the night with whomever you please, doing whatever you want, and nobody would dare to callyouruined…”
Charis’ voice tapered off and a strange look came into her eyes. Sinjun watched, fascinated, wondering what might be the next thing to pop out of this delightful young woman’s mouth. So far, she’d managed to surprise and entertain him a great deal. And it was still early.
“I say…” She shifted on the seat of the curricle, her thigh brushing his, although probably by accident although he could wish it were otherwise. “You’re not married or anything right at this moment, are you?”
“No, not right at this moment.”
“Hmm.” She tugged her full lower lip between her teeth as she thought intensely about something.
Sinjun found himself wanting to do the same thing. Tug her lower lip betweenhisteeth. Her hair glowed with reddish lights in the morning sun, her skin was daintily freckled and that mouth—well, it was decadence made flesh.
Lips that were ripe and full betrayed a sensual nature and by God Sinjun could damn near feel them wrapped snugly around his cock—
She blinked, then turned her blue eyes to his face. “If you’re not busy this morning, do you think you might possibly be able to ruin me some more?”
*~~*~~*
Charis, my girl, you’ve run completely mad.
The thought flashed through her mind even as her mouth spoke the fateful words. But it was dismissed instantly. This Sinjun Randall looked like—well, delectable was a good description. He’d betrayed a quick sense of humor, which Charis found very appealing, he had two fabulous horses—a strong point in his favor—and lovely eyes.
