And some time spent exploring her physical nature with him might well prove to be enlightening. Her breasts tingled at the thought.
But overriding all these considerations was the fact that if she was ruinedagain, the lackwit would doubtless withdraw his offer. She would be finally free.
“Of course, if it’s inconvenient, I shall completely understand.” Her hands trembled at little at the utter shamelessness of her suggestion.
“I might be willing to consider it.” His voice was still friendly, not horrified or shocked or anything he probably should have been. “I happen to be on my way to a friend’s country home. It’s not far from here. I have business in the area and he’s away. Do you think that would suit?”
She gulped. “You would really do this?”
Something heated flashed behind his brown eyes. “Of course. How could I refuse a lady’s request for assistance?”
“It’s not the ordinary sort of thing, you know. Not—um—carry my packages for meorsign my dance card for the waltz…”
“I understand. You want me to ruin you. To take you to my bed and reintroduce you to those physical pleasures you found in the arms of your unfortunate lover years ago.”
Charis lifted an eyebrow. “It was only a couple of years. Ihavefound them since, too, you know.”
“There have been others?” His tone was abrupt.
“Certainlynot.” Charis straightened, then blushed furiously as she realized what she’d just admitted.
“Well, well.” His lips curved into a grin. “I am more committed than ever, Miss Charis. It seems we shall manage to enjoy ourselves and ruin you at the same time, eh?”
“Thank you. That would work out very nicely.”
She was set on this course. It was appalling, would totally ostracize her from her family and society. And it would set her free.
“I think a day and a night should just about do it.”
His words recalled her to her plans. “Yes, most definitely. If there is some way you could manage to get word to my family of our-er-interlude, I would appreciate it. I’ll be long gone, of course.”
“Where?” He sounded mildly curious.
“Since I’m appointing you keeper of my secrets and master of my upcoming ruination, I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. I have a friend who knows a lot about horses. I’m going to join her when I find her family’s campsite. I will learn even more than I know now. Then I shall breed them.” She paused. “Well, at least that’s the plan. How Jenny will feel about it, I’m not sure.”
There were a few details that needed working out, like where Charis would get the funding for her own stable if her family cut her off, but she refused to let those thoughts stop her. Better to be a penniless wanderer than the wife of a lackwit.
“A laudable ambition.” Sinjun nodded. “I believe we are less than half an hour away from our destination, so why don’t you give me your opinion of my lads?” He nodded at the matched pair drawing the curricle. “I’m rather proud of them myself. Got a wonderful deal.”
The conversation turned to horses, a subject dear to Charis’ heart. Sinjun was a knowledgeable companion, it turned out, and a pleasure to listen to. They exchanged ideas and laughed together at some of the absurdities gentlemen went to when trying to buy the perfect mount.
They were in complete charity with each other, Charis realized, as he turned the reins and headed down a shaded lane toward a comfortable looking house.
“Here’s our destination, Miss Charis.” He nodded ahead.
She swallowed. “Very well, Mr Randall.”
He pulled neatly to a halt in front of the glowing red brick building, the gravel crunching beneath his wheels. Then he turned to her.
“There are rules, you know.”
“There are?” Charis looked at his face. He was so very handsome, but at this moment there was something more in his gaze. A determination perhaps, a strength of will—she wasn’t quite sure. But for the first time, she found herself wondering if she’d made a wise decision.
“First rule. You call me Sinjun. I call you Charis.”
She nodded. “Very well.Sinjun.” She tested the word. “I like it. Unusual.”
He jumped to the ground and came around to her side, leaning on the shiny black curricle wing. “Second rule. You will do everything I tell you to do. Without question.”
“I-I-er—”
“I will not harm you. Nor hurt you. But I will make love to you. You will make love to me. It won’t work unless it’s the two of us, Charis. And you will rely on me to show you how to achieve maximum pleasure from our time together. Since it is so limited, we’re going to make every second count. Do I make myself clear?”
His eyes roamed her face then moved down to gaze at her breasts. She could swear she felt her nipples hardening beneath the force of that gaze.
She nodded. “I understand, Sinjun. I understand.”
Somehow or other, those words seemed to seal her fate. She put her hand in his and allowed him to help her from the curricle.
