“Fine,” he said quickly. “We’ll be friends.”
“Justsayingit doesn’t make it true.”
“Tell me how to make it true, and I will.”
His commanding tenacity made her heart stutter. Perhaps that was why she’d never known desire before him. She’d been around boys all her life, but Carlisle… he was all man.
“To see if we’re a true match, we need to get to know one another, share confidences,” she explained. “I want you to treat me as you would a friend—Lord Blackwood, for instance.”
“That makes no sense. Of course I’m going to treat you differently from Blackwood,” he said, his tone incredulous. “I want to share my bed with you, not pass the time playing billiards and talking about the hunt.”
The mention of his bedmade her knees wobble. “Why can’t we do all those things?”
For an instant, he looked baffled. He recovered quickly. “If that’s your wish, then we can.”
“But physical attraction aside,” she persisted, “do you trust me the way you trust Lord Blackwood? Value my opinion in the same way?”
“That’s not a fair comparison. I’ve known Blackwood for years.”
“Fair enough. Then we need more time to get to know one another,” she conceded.
“How much time?”
“As long as it takes?”
“That’s not an answer.” Now he sounded annoyed.
“Are you certain you want to court me? We’re so different.”
“I’m certain,” he said flatly. “You’re the one who needs convincing.”
“And I’ve told you how to accomplish that.”
He came to a halt in front of a statue of Hercules, depicted performing one of his labors. Carlisle’s expression was as fierce as the marble figure’s. “All right.”
“All right?”
“If it’s your wish, we’ll work together.”
She felt like she’d imbibed champagne, bubbles of joy bursting inside her. “Thank you—”
“Don’t thank me yet. There are rules.”
She should have known.
He took her hand, tucking it into the crook of his arm and placing his hand over it for good measure. They continued walking. “If we do this, you’ll be guided by me. You’ll heed my advice and not act recklessly. Most importantly,”—he pinned her with a glance—“you’re not to put yourself in danger, do you understand?”
“I understand,” she said giddily.
“That’s settled, then. When shall I speak to your brother?”
“Um… about what?”
“To make my suit known,” he said with a hint of impatience.
Panic trickled through her. She’d thought they were talking about a private understanding, just between the two of them. She wasn’t ready to expose their budding relationship topublicscrutiny.
“It’s too soon to speak to Ambrose. Everything has happened so quickly and—”
