“You can’t help being acute, Polly.” He studied her intently. “Do you know, sometimes I fancy those eyes of yours can see through anything. Through twisting passages and false ends, straight to the heart of the matter.”
Watch out for Peculiar Polly…she’ll see what’s in your head… Steer clear of Peculiar Polly…
Panic knocked her heart against her ribs. “I’m not acute. Or different in any way. I’m perfectly ordinary—”
“That you most definitely are not. You, kitten, are special.”
The warmth of his regard gradually dissolved her alarm. Somehow, Sinjin managed to make herfeelspecial—in a good way. As unique and beautiful as the necklace he’d given her. And therein lay her conflict. She needed a marriage of convenience to protect her secret, yet Sinjin made her yearn for intimacy. If she married him, how would she be able to safeguard her heart?
Yet how could she resist the elemental force between them?
“You’re special, too,” she said softly.
“In that case, did I mention that the necklace is part of a set? There’s a matching ring, for instance.”
At his unsubtle hint, she had to laugh. “The necklace will do for now. Thank you, Sinjin, it’s lovely beyond words.” She admired the treasure once more before carefully stowing it away in her reticule.
“I promised to court you, and court you I shall. But the truth is, sweeting,”—his gaze grew heated, a ragged edge in his voice—“I cannot wait to make you mine. I’ve been going mad, reliving our time in the carriage.”
“I’ve thought of it, too,” she confessed.
“Have you now?” he rasped. “Did you do anything about it… the way I did?”
Blood surged into her cheeks. She was grateful for her coal-scuttle bonnet, its deep, ribbon-trimmed brim hiding her flaming face from the occupants of another oncoming carriage.
“That’s wicked,” she managed after the conveyance had passed.
“Aye, but did you?”
“I most certainly didnot.”
“Would you consider doing it?” Smoldering challenge entered his gaze. “Because the thought of you petting your soft, wet little pussy while I touch myself, thinking of you… Devil and damn, I’d give everything I own for that to be true.”
His naughty suggestion ignited her own forbidden yearnings. In truth, it had been a torment thinking of him—of his hot kisses and masterful touch—without being able to do anything about it. Ache had bloomed inside her, the same throbbing awareness that spread through her now. Would it be so bad to relieve that tension… to share something that only he and she would know about?
“All right,” she said slowly.
“Holy hell.” His eyes widened. “You mean it?”
Seeing him actuallyshudderwith lust dispelled her lingering doubts. It thrilled her that she could elicit this reaction in a man as worldly as Sinjin. It dawned upon her that, when she was with him, she felt less inhibited, more comfortable in her own skin. It seemed his bold nature was rubbing off on her… and she liked it.
“I go to bed at midnight,” she informed him.
“I’ll be there. In my own bed, I mean.” His grin was downright wolfish. “So what will you be thinking about when we’re together yet apart?”
“About… you kissing me.” She may have shed some of her inhibitions, but that was as brazen as she could manage.
“Where?”
“Sinjin,” she protested with a laugh, “I already gave you an inch. Don’t take a mile.”
“I shall give you a pass this one time.” He winked. “But I’ll expect a full report tomorrow. When I take you driving again.”
“Oh… I can’t go for a drive.” Flustered, she said, “I mean, I would like to very much, but I have a prior engagement.”
She was dreading the event, which Thea’s note—asking if she still needed a chaperone for the Pickering-Parks’ picnic—had reminded her of just this morning. Not only was it too late to send regrets, but Polly felt she owed it to Nigel to make matters clear between them. Although no promises had been made, she’d sensed that he’d been considering offering for her. She wanted to let him know in person (hopefully, in some subtle and adroit manner) that such an offer would no longer be welcomed.
“What event are you attending? Perhaps I’ve been invited as well.”
