“And suppose that youhaveno true love,” he said. “Suppose that he does not even look at you because his reputation is unsullied, and yours is not.”
“If he truly loved me, my reputation would not matter.”
Lewis shook his head. Her devotion to finding love was equally frustrating and endearing. It made him realize just how young and innocent she was, despite all the scandals affixed to her name.
“It is best for you to abandon any schemes that you have now,” he said. “Be practical for once in your life. Such romantic notions are simply unrealistic, especially for you.”
Lady Bridget looked away and wrapped her arms around herself. An inkling of pity curled in Lewis’s chest, but he took care not to show it. This foolish girl was going to ruin them if she did not accept the truth of her situation.
“At least, you will have some pleasure from our marriage,” he continued, “provided that you play the role of a proper wife. I will not tolerate you undermining my authority, especially once we are married. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she said through clenched teeth.
“Besides,” he said. “Once we are married, I will give you such pleasure that you will forget all about your thoughts of romance.”
“How can there be pleasure without romance?” she asked. “That is impossible.”
He smiled, summoning all his charm. “How little you know, my lady. How much I can teach you. Romance is an ideal, a philosophical rumination. My lips on you are real. Physical. You can feel that.”
“I—I understand.”
Lewis doubted that she did. “You should trust me,” he said.
“How can I?”
Lewis tilted his head a little, something inside him softening as he gazed at her. “You can. I would never harm a lady; I promise.”
He walked past her, thinking with every step how delicate and fragile she was. Lady Bridget was like a flower, slender and lovely, and he suspected that it would take little to overwhelm her. It was for the best that she remained in the dark library for a little longer, so she could collect her thoughts.
Lewis closed the library door behind him and strode confidently into the ballroom. He doubted that anyone had noticed his disappearance, for a quick sweep of his eyes confirmed that most of thetonwere engaged in conversations and dancing. His manhood twinged in discomfort, and he grimaced. Denying Lady Bridget’s desires also meant forbidding his own, which was unfortunate.
It would be worth it in the end, though, when they were married.
“There you are,” Morington said cheerfully, as he came to Lewis’s side. “Did you take some air?”
Lewis glanced at his friend’s flushed face and knew that the man had already likely drank his weight in champagne. “I did,” Lewis said.
Morington nodded, as though Lewis had said something deeply profound. “I do not see your young wife-to-be,” he said, furrowing his brow. “Have you lost her already?”
“I am certain she is here somewhere,” Lewis replied.
It was fortunate that Morington was already blissfully drunk. Otherwise, Lewis suspected that his friend would have more readily made the connection between Lewistaking some airand Lady Bridget’s disappearance.
“I suppose I should invite you to the wedding,” Lewis said suddenly.
It was a small, formal affair—nothing special, really—but he realized that Lady Bridget would have her siblings there. He ought to have someone as well, and he would not ask his grandmother to attend.
“You should,” Morington said. “I would be delighted to attend. Thank you for your thoughtful invitation.”
Lewis smiled wryly. “Point taken. But you know this is not a particularly noteworthy occasion. I am fulfilling my duty, though I take no pleasure in it.”
At least,marryingwas not particularly pleasurable. Lewis suspected that theconsummationof the marriage might be pleasurable, indeed.
Morington sighed. “The situation could be worse. At least, Lady Bridget is beautiful. Ah—there she is!”
His friend gestured across the ballroom, where the lady in question was weaving through the crowd, halting by her brother’s side at last. Lewis watched her. The flickering lights of the ballroom lent a warmth to her hair, making her appear as though a halo of light lingered around her head.
Her pink dress clung to her slight form, alluding to soft curves that any man would ache to touch. Soon, she would be all his forever. Lewis tore his gaze away, something dark and possessive growing within him.
