“She mentioned it. Whose idea was it?”
“Mama and Papa both said I should be married to you. Ever since I can remember, I was going to marry you. When you visited us last, Mama even said I couldn’t ride Daisy, my pony, because my dress might get soiled and you would think I wasn’t proper lady.”
“I seem to remember something about that,” he said dryly. “Do you want to marry me?”
She folded her hands neatly in her lap, a delicate gesture she’d obviously gotten from her governess. “You said we should be perfectly honest.”
“I did.”
“Well, I know you’ve been very nice to me the last few weeks, and that you might very well be falling in love with me, but I will tell you the truth, Lucien. Please don’t be angry, but I really don’t wish to be married to you.”
Thank God. “Why not?”
“Um, well, you’re very…fierce.”
He smiled. “Am I?”
“Don’t misunderstand me,” she said hurriedly, sitting forward. “If you and Mama wish it to happen, I will marry you.” Rose slumped a little. “In fact, I really don’t see a way around it. Mama is very determined.”
“How do you feel about Robert Ellis, Lord Belton?”
“Oh, I like him very much. But he’s only a viscount. You’re an earl, and much more wealthy.”
“That’s true. What if I were to tell you, though, that I—”
Someone scratched at the door.
He hoped his prisoner hadn’t escaped again. “What is it?” he barked.
Thompkinson stuck his head in the door. “Begging your pardon, my lord, but…might I have a pen and ink and some paper for…for Wimbole, my lord?”
“Yes, of course. In my office.” At least she wasn’t asking for gunpowder—yet.
“Very good, my lord.”
When the door closed again, Lucien returned his attention to Rose. “What if I were to tell you that I’m in love with someone else?”
Her blue eyes widened. “You are? With who?”
“Whom. Alexandra Gallant.”
She stared at him, disbelief, horror, shock, and—to her credit—amusement, in turn, expressing themselves on her pretty face. “You’re in love with my governess?” she finally gasped.
“Yes, I am.”
Rose started giggling. “And I thoughtIwas in trouble.”
He scowled. “That’s not why I’m in trouble.” In his mind he could clearly hear Alexandra reminding him that he’d promised to be honest with Rose. Good God, now Miss Gallant was his conscience. Lucien paused and considered that for a moment. Perhaps she was. Perhaps that was why he needed her so much. “It’s not entirely why I’m in trouble,” he amended.
“Then what is it?”
“I…want to marry her, but she won’t agree. She—”
“She turned you down?” Rose’s chortling lengthened into full-out laughter. “Oh, my goodness.”
This was not any damned fun. “She turned me down because she knew that you were supposed to marry me.”
Slowly she sobered, and spent a long moment studying him while he chafed under her scrutiny. “You need me,” she said finally.
