“Perhaps there is some truth in your words.” He smiled down at her. “Do you hope to heal the wound between Waters and myself? Is that it? You will convince me that I ought to woo her? Court her?” He laughed. He was teasing her once again.
“You must marry eventually,” she pointed out.
Which was not something one ever told Lord Blakely. “Not so, Miss Goodnight, not so.” He was smiling but a cold hard look returned to his eyes. “I’d as soon marry you as I will do my father’s bidding.”
She stumbled. Gosh darn it! All those feminine feelings that had come over her just a moment before transformed into a heightened awareness of her own insignificance. “Such the flatterer, you are.”
And upon hearing her words, he seemed to catch himself. “Ah, do not take offense. I’d as soon marry anyone rather than give in to my father’s wishes.”
She wished she understood. What had caused such bitterness?
The dance came to an end. Rather than await the third piece to begin, Emily curtseyed and excused herself. Perhaps she could escape to the library until her other promised sets began.
Such an arrogant and selfish man! She’d tell him where to go if he ever asked her to marry him!
She nearly sobbed at the thought.
Fool, Emily! You fool!
Marcus watched Miss Goodnight scurry away. Such an intriguing little mouse. He’d not intended the comment to be insulting. And the truth of it was, he’d marry just about anyone except for the woman his father had betrothed him to.
He’d never do his father’s bidding again.
A heaviness set upon him as he watched his sister and her husband conversing with his “betrothed’s” father, Lord Quimbly. It was one thing to ignore his father’s existence, quite another for his sister and mother to ignore his own.
He could live without the allowance and access to his family’s resources and property. Denying him the love of his sister and mother hurt, he admitted grudgingly.
Marcus glanced around in search of a certain widow. Ah, there she was. At least he could satisfy other needs.
He jerked his head in the direction of the foyer. Mrs. Cromwell, Vivienne, licked her lips leisurely and then nodded. At the thought of his intentions, his cock stiffened. Best remove himself before he embarrassed anyone who might be paying attention.
This wasn’t the first time he’d had an assignation in the Crabtrees’ library. He’d found the architecture quite handy in its design. A gentleman, in the midst of swiving, could easily hear anyone who approached, as footsteps tended to echo conveniently loud before an intruder pushed open the heavy door.
He arrived first, surprised to find someone had carelessly left a few candles burning. Ah, well… familiar with his surroundings, he poured himself a dram of scotch, downed it, poured another, downed it as well, and then one last one. The heat of the liquor burned his chest and removed the edge he’d had ever since hearing the majordomo announce his father and mother.
Damn the bastard to hell.
Telltale footsteps echoed, indicating he’d soon be forgetting even more.
“Marcus.” Her voice sounded low, throaty with desire.
Marcus turned and watched as the lovely widow, hips swaying provocatively, approached him.
Soft, curvaceous, and willing, this woman was made for sex. Her pale, soft arms wound around his neck. A bit too much perfume for his tastes, but nonetheless, he took command of her mouth.
He didn’t feel romantic.
He didn’t feel seductive.
He walked the woman backward until the backs of her thighs pressed into the settee. Squeezing her buttocks, he clarified his intentions. “This is what you want?” He pressed himself against her.
In answer, she raised one hand and lowered her bodice. “This is whatyouwant?” She thrust her chest forward. No set of breasts were ever the same. Marcus took hold of one, as though testing its weight, and squeezed.
“Turn around,” he ordered.
Her eyes, which until that moment had been half closed and sleepy looking, suddenly flew open. “Naughty man.”
Marcus took hold of her waist, turned her, and bent her over the settee. Gathering her skirts, he raised them while she spread her legs.
