He narrowed his gaze. “Are you attempting to coerce me?”
“I’m trying to negotiate with you,” she countered. “Please, Ben, you know how much Pippa means to me. Imusthelp her. Besides, I won’t be in any danger if you are there. I know the address of Longmere’s studio, where Pippa says he spends most of his time. You and I could go together tomorrow.”
After a moment, Ben muttered, “Was I under the delusion that I was captain of this ship?”
“Every captain needs a first mate.” She gave him her most winning smile. “If we are contemplating a future together, we should know how we deal with one another in everyday life.”
“We’re talking about interrogating a man on his involvement in a drug enterprise. Not choosing a china pattern.”
“Nonetheless, we would be working together. And that is what I want from marriage,” she said in a heartfelt rush. “I know you want my obedience, and I will try my best to be guided by you. But I also want us to be trusted friends, the way we have always been. I want us to share everything: our darkest fears, brightest hopes, and grandest passions.”
He opened his mouth…then closed it. She saw the conflict and yearning on his handsome features. It heartened her that he, too, wanted the kind of closeness she described even though he had to reconcile it with his protective nature.
“Devil take it.” He looked thoroughly disgruntled. “Fine, you may come—”
“Thank you!”
“Ifyou do as I say before, during, and after the meeting.”
“Where you lead, I follow,” she said promptly.
With an exaggerated sigh, he directed his gaze at the ceiling. “God help me.”
20
The following afternoon, Ben picked Livy up from Lady Fayne’s. The little vixen had told Lady Fayne that Ben was taking her for a drive through Hyde Park in his phaeton, an activity that did not require the presence of a chaperone. Ben did not know whether to find Livy’s ingenuity impressive or worrisome. Likewise, he was ambivalent about his decision to bring her along on his visit to Longmere.
Last night, he’d been persuaded by her sincere appeal. Loyalty was one of Livy’s most endearing traits, and he understood her desire to help her friend…and to be a part of his life. The intimacy she’d described had stirred a tingling recognition, a whisper of a forgotten dream. He’d never had that before: a lover who was also a friend. A woman who wanted to share everything with him and whom he could trust with his deepest secrets.
Perched next to him as he handled the reins of the two chestnuts, Livy was as pretty as a picture in her mint-green frock embroidered with yellow rosebuds. Her bonnet had a spray of fresh yellow roses and was secured by green ribbons, which fluttered against her smooth cheek. Encased in delicate kid, her small hands were primly folded in her lap.
He was enchanted by the contrast between her demure exterior and her wantonness under his command, and he wanted a taste of the latter.
“Does it hurt to sit?” he asked.
Livy’s blush set off a satisfied hum in his blood. “Not really.”
“Perhaps I ought to spank you harder next time,” he said thoughtfully.
She slid a glance at him, an impish sparkle in her eyes.
“But why?” she asked coyly. “I was a good girl for you, wasn’t I?”
Christ, she was a quick study. He’d always enjoyed their banter, and flirtation made it even more delightful.
“You were,” he allowed. “But you were also naughty, spending on my lap in a public garden.”
Her cheeks turned even rosier. “I, um, thought you liked that?”
“I did. It makes me hard just thinking about it.”
Her gaze fell to his burgeoned groin, and his balls tautened when she wetted her lips. She was an adorable, natural wanton, and her needs perfectly matched his own. How did he get so bloody lucky?
“I offered to, um, help. With your condition,” she said in a breathy voice.
“You would like to serve me, would you?”
“I would love it, sir.”
