She prompted him. “Without?”
“Without making love to you.”
There was utter silence. Then she said, “Why couldn’t you make love to me?”
“Bloody hell!” he swore. “I was certain you would despise me as soon as you learned of my parentage. I knew I couldn’t bear your scorn. I was a bloody fool, I admit it. But I knew Miriam wouldn’t keep her mouth shut. I was right about that. I was just wrong about your reaction to my birth.”
“Very well. Your explanation will do. You may go on.”
He racked his brains. “I told you the truth about Selena. She really did contrive that scene you witnessed in the conservatory.”
“I believe you.”
This was apparently not what she was waiting to hear. “Oh! Your friend George. I—I suppose I was a bit unreasonable with him, but it wasn’t the first time his being with you has rubbed me the wrong way.”
“Were you jealous, Nicholas?” Her humor resurfaced.
“I…yes, blister it, I was!”
“Duly noted. You may go on,” she said, her eyes intent on his face.
“But what else have I done?” he asked, exasperated.
The cobalt eyes sparked. “You are forgetting you had to be returned to me by force.”
“No!” His temper exploded. “Now there, you’re wrong! I was coming back. My ship was ready to sail. I had decided to tell you everything, explain why I behaved as I did. Your bloody uncle and his thugs arrived the night before I was to sail.”
“Oh, dear. I suppose you were too angry over Uncle James’ interference to talk to me honestly?”
Nicholas scowled. “I don’t like that particular uncle of yours, not at all.”
“He’ll grow on you.”
“I’d rather you grew on me.”
“That might be arranged.”
“Then you don’t mind that I am destined to love only once?” he asked very seriously. But she wasn’t ready to declare herself to him, not just then.
“If you could be a little more specific…”
“Haven’t I told you what you want to hear?”
“You have not,” she informed him.
“Then come here.”
“Nicholas,” she gasped. “I’m not dressed for bathing.”
He grabbed her and pulled her into the bath on top of him. “I love you, love you, love you, love you. Is that enough or do you want more?”
“That will do—for tonight.” Reggie wrapped her arms around his neck. Their lips met.
After some delightful kissing, he demanded, “Well?”
“Well, what?” she teased. He whacked her bottom. “Oh. Well, I guess I love you, too.”
“Youguess?”
