“You see, Clio,” he said, now close enough to see the way her lashes fanned out when she blinked, “I’m not afraid of a little danger. I’m not afraid of hard work. And I’m not afraid of playing with fire when the situation calls for it.”
And then, just in the moment that her wide, hazel eyes darted up to meet his, he kissed her.
Before, he’d held himself in check. He hadn’t planned to marry her, and though he thought the way that Londoners discussedruinationto be ridiculous, he didn’t intend to make things worse for her.
But now, hedidplan to take her to wife. And he was going to show her what he might offer as a husband, beyond his name and his title.
And if that happened to tip things in his favor …
All the better.
Hector knew Clio to be stubborn, firm in her convictions, unafraid to stand up for herself. But he couldn’t have gotten any of these things from kissing her, not when she melted into him like the mere press of his lips against hers caused her to go entirely boneless. She sagged into him, her curves pressing against the hard-won muscles. It had been a long time since he’d felt pride in the power of his body—it had long since become a tool for him to yield—but now all the hours of hefting a hammer were worth it, if it meant that he could support her when she needed him to.
He would be the strong one. He did not waver as he prodded at her lower lip with his tongue until she opened for him, then sweeping inside to taste her fully. She hesitated at the first touchof his tongue against hers, then mimicked his movements with more and more confidence.
Hell, but she was a marvel.
“Oh,” she murmured beneath his touch, the surprise in her voice revealing that she was inexperienced in the matter of kissing. Not that he hadn’t suspected this; she kissed him back with an innate sensuality that was belied by an unpracticed eagerness.
That little expression of shock made him want to press her, wanted to see what else he could do to make her let out such utterances. And there was selfishness, too. He wanted to see if the sweetness of her lips was the same everywhere on her body.
But there was temptation, and then there was taking. And he had enough control not to let himself cross that line.
That didn't mean it was bloodyeasy,though.
His pride was flattered when Clio didn’t seem to find it easy, either. As he pulled back, she followed, her eyes closed. Her nose scrunched up in confusion before she opened her eyes to look at him, and God help him, he was inexpressibly charmed.
“What … what was that?” she asked, sounding dazed. Hector summoned all his willpower to keep her at arm’s length. It would be so easy to draw her back into his arms. She would welcome it.
But he had made a decision, and he wasn’t the kind of man who gave up on his commitments, even when they were only to himself.
“A taste,” he told her, enjoying the faint shudder that went through her at his raspy tone. “Here is what is going to happen, Clio.”
There was a flicker in her expression that said that she was about to argue, but it faded before it could fully take form. Apparently, she was too kiss-drunk to object. Good to know.
“You will come to the house party. If you have found another man by then, someone else to protect your reputation, I will not argue with ceding my claim.”
Hector wasn’t certain that he was telling the truth when he said this—after having a taste of Clio’s plush, soft mouth, he thought he might more thanarguewith another man who tried to claim that pleasure—but he was willing to gamble that it wouldn’t come to that.
“And if I don’t?” she asked, breathless.
He smiled a predator’s smile. She should know that side of him, too. She should know everything that she would be getting with him.
“Then,” he said, “you will be all mine.”
CHAPTER 10
Jonathan, it turned out, was far more adept than your average butler, not that Hector had a great deal of experience with that type. Even so, he couldn’t imagine that most men in Jonathan’s position would have such a robust command not just of all thehouse’s accounts, but of the entireestate’s holdings.
Jonathan had sniffed in an affronted sort of way when Hector had said as much.
“Your Grace,” he said, making the words sound like a reprimand, “I have spent the bulk of my professional life attached to the dukedom. It is true that your father spent little time in residence at this house, but I nevertheless consider it a point of professional pride that I am the senior domestic employee of the Metford holdings. Some people think that it is an unimportant role, but I do not view it lightly.”
Hector immediately felt chagrined.
“Of course,” he said, letting his tone go as apologetic as it ever did. “I meant no offense. And never think that I am looking to rid myself of ye. I merely meant … if I return north after these next few weeks—” If he wasforcedto return North, they both knew he meant. “—I was wondering if you might care to come with me.”
Jonathan stopped bristling immediately. The candlelight in the study this evening caused shadows, but Hector thought the man might be blushing slightly.
