Portia was dreadfully off-balance, teetering between the attraction she always felt for this man and her fear of its power. She speeded her pace, wanting to be closer to the others. “I do not think so, my lord.”
“Nerissa commands, and we should obey the Queen of Society.”
“I do not think it is your habit to obey.”
He captured her hand and slowed her pace. “You cannot totally repulse me, you know. Remember the terms of our wager.”
Portia knew her cheeks were scarlet. “My lord, I wish you would not speak of it.”
“Then humor me, and let us flirt and become acquainted.”
She looked at him then. “There is no purpose in it.”
“Why not?”
“Our tastes differ too far.”
“Do they?” He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “I’m not well acquainted with your tastes, Miss St. Claire. Do you like roast lamb?” She snapped an exasperated look at him, and was trapped by a beguiling smile. “I wish you nothing but good, you know.”
“No.” It was rejection of both him and his statement. And a rejection of the effect he could still have on her.
He frowned slightly. “Then do you like chicken?”
Portia found herself alarmingly tempted to laugh. “My lord, cease this!”
“You do not care for food at all?”
“Of course I do.”
“I thought so. I remember that you eat like a horse.”
Portia spoke between her teeth. “I simply do not care to discuss food with you.”
“Then let us talk sex.”
Portia came to a frozen halt, staring at him, her mouth half open.
“Food or sex,” he said pleasantly. “Which shall it be?”
“Is that a threat?”
He appeared genuinely startled. “’Struth, no. You can trust my discretion. It is, however, a topic of mutual interest, you will agree.”
Portia dragged her hand from his arm. “You are disgusting.”
“Devil a bit. I am just seeking a topic of conversation in which we both have an interest.”
“The Bible,” said Portia icily and hurried to catch up to Nerissa and Lord Andover.
She thought that would be the end of it, but he kept pace with her.“‘How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince’s daughter,’”he quoted. Then added,sotto voce,“Or without.”
Portia refused to rise to his tormenting. “Is that from the Bible, my lord? I don’t recognize it.”
“Perhaps your Bible was carefully edited.”
“What nonsense. All I know is that my feet are not particularly beautiful, and I am not a prince’s daughter.”
“But you are wearing shoes.”
