He had to smirk. It was his favorite as well.
Hunter crossed the room and handedthe drinkto her.
“Thank you.” She took a sip and watched him seductively over the rim. He cleared his throat, for he had to admit that for her age and inexperience, she certainly knew what to do to try a man’s resolve.
He walked over to his desk to put some distance between them,leaningagainst the edgeas heasked, “How old are you?”
She tilted her head to the side. “Do you think I won’t be able to please you because I’m young?”
He pursed his lips together. “Just answer the question.”
“Seventeen.”
His brow furrowed. Just as he’d thought. “You may not believe this, Miss Welton, but I don’t dally with harlots.”
She hesitated, apparently confused. “Then why did you come to the auction tonight?”
“I had my reasons.” He took another sip of his sherry. “However, I fear it had nothing to do with you.”
She looked even more at sea. “Then why am I here?”
“Because I’m willing to offer you a bargain, if you are amenable.”
She downed her drink in one swallow and set the glass aside.Then shecrossed her armsandregarded him steadily, eyebrows raised with interest. “I’m listening.”
“I’d like to offer my services as your protector.”
She blinked, her stance suddenly a bit less sure. “My mother would be pleased.”
“But would you?” he countered.
“I don’t know you enough to form an opinion, Your Grace.”
Hunter couldn’t help but smile. At least the girl was honest. So he decided to be the same. “To be frank with you, Miss Welton, I’m willing to offer you the chance of freedom. Live here, in this house, as my mistress.”
She eyed him warily now. “For what purpose if you aren’t interesting in tupping me?”
“A valid question, but one that will have to remain unanswered. Let’s just say that I have personal reasons for asking this as well.”
“I see.”
He wasn’t sure if that was true, but he went on regardless. “I will send you a monthly stipend that you may use however you wish, as well as my carriage for your personal use. Thesinglestipulation I have is that you refrain from any…bed sport in my absence, otherwise my benevolence would be for naught.”
She tilted her head and a lock of her golden red hair fell forward. Hunter knew that, in time, she would be an incomparable beauty. “And where is it that you are planning to spend most of your time?”
He glanced down into the liquid still swirling in his glass. “There is a manwhomIam determinedto bring to justice. Heinjured a member of my family,but I cannot prove his guilt. I received word that he plans to leave the country for a time and travel to India. I intend to follow him and keep a record of his actions.”
Her eyes widened slightly at this. “You would devote your life to pursuing him?”
He nodded firmly. “I would.”
As silence fell between them, he finished the last of his drink and finally broke the tension. “What do you say, Miss Welton? Shall you be my mistress? Or shall I return you home tomorrow morning with the impression that I’ve despoiled you?”
She considered the prospect for a time, but it didn’t last long. She strode forward and stood on her tiptoes to give him achastekiss that would haunt his dreams for years to come. “I accept your proposal, Your Grace.”
Chapter Two
Five years later…
