“Actually, the marriage you describedisthe usual sort amongst theton,” he said.
“Well, it’s not usual for my family.” She studied her hands, feeling even more forlorn.
When he didn’t speak, she looked up—and realized that he was studying her. Thin golden strands wove through his aura, bolstering and steadying the roiling blue. He felt… hopeful?
Why?
“As it happens, I’m a private sort myself. Intimacy only leads to disappointment—and love? Even worse.” He held her surprised gaze. “I’m not a man who wants entanglements. The kind of marriage I desire would be simple, easy. Both partners would be free to come and go as they please. We wouldn’t have to answer to one another.”
His reason for wanting a marriage of convenience hit home, and her heart gave a painful spasm. Which was ridiculous. She knew that he was a rake. A man of his appetites wouldn’t settle for one woman when he could have a bevy of them at his beck and call. Extramarital affairs weren’t uncommon in high society; love matches were far rarer. She supposed she ought to be thankful that he was simply more honest than most men about how he intended to carry on after he wed.
The idea of other women knowing his touches and kisses, enjoying the warmth of his attention, twisted her insides into jealous knots. Good heavens, imagine how she’d feel if they weremarried. It was one more reason why she and he did not suit.
“You misunderstand. I believe in fidelity,” she said firmly. “I have no intention of having lovers, nor would I countenance my husband doing so.”
“You’re bloody right you won’t be taking any lovers.”
Her breath caught at the possessive heat simmering in his words. “But you just said… I’d be free to come and go as I please.” She frowned. “Or did you mean that would apply only to you? Because that would be the most hypocritical—”
“No lovers for me either.” His tone was unequivocal. “I meant that we would respect each other’s interests and need for privacy. If I wanted time alone for my pursuits, you would grant it to me with no fuss. No demands or questions. And I would extend you the same courtesy. But those pursuits would not include violating the vows of marriage.”
Recalling their conversation in the stillroom, she looked at him doubtfully. “But you said before that you’ve never been faithful.”
“I said I’ve nevertried. I’ve also never been married.”
“You would try… for me?”
He yanked her onto his lap, startling a squeak from her. “It would be no sacrifice, given what I’d be getting in return. I have a feeling you’ll wear me out and then some.” Then shadows crept into his gaze, dimming the playful sensuality. “In all fairness, however, there’s something else you ought to know about me.”
Her head was spinning. “What is it?”
“I’m not… an easy man to deal with. I vow that I’d never hurt you, but I can have a devil of a temper, and my moods can be… unpredictable.”
Having seen the stormy nature of his aura, she was hardly surprised by his admission. His moods were indeed mercurial and as intense as any she’d ever seen. But given her intimate acquaintance with emotions, she wasn’t intimidated by his, and she’d never, not once, feared that he would do her harm.
“That is not a problem for me,” she said honestly.
Relief forked like lightning through his gaze, along with a yearning that spurred her heart into an unbridled pace. “Then what a time we’ll have of it, kitten,” he murmured, “enjoying the best of life without the complications. Say you’ll have me.”
Desire warred with her instinct for self-preservation. In theory, his proposal of an “easy” marriage sounded ideal, but could she actually carry it through?
Maintaining emotional distance from Nigel Pickering-Parks was one thing, Sinjin another altogether. What if she fell in love with him, only to have him spurn her when he discovered the truth of what she was? In hindsight, she knew that her heart had merely been bruised by Brockhurst; being rejected by Sinjin would shatter that organ irrevocably.
Opposing forces tore at her. “I… don’t know.”
“Then I’ll court you until you do.” Steely determination was back in his aura. “Give me a chance to convince you that a future is possible for us. Give me that at least.”
Despite the looming pitfalls, she didn’t have the willpower to refuse what she so dearly desired.
“All right,” she said tremulously.
“Thank you, sweet.” He brushed his knuckles against her cheek, the tender gesture weakening her defenses further. “The timing of our courtship is less than spectacular, given my situation, but I plan to hire Runners to follow Nicoletta. I’m certain they’ll clear up the matter—”
“Heavens, I forgot!” In all the turmoil, the clue she’d found at Nicoletta’s had slipped her mind. She dug into the pocket of her skirts and fished out the scrap of paper. “I found this.”
He took it from her. “An old ticket from a play?”
“It fell out of a book on her desk.” Peering intently at the lettering on the ticket, Polly said, “I’ve never heard of The Cytherea Theatre, have you?”
