“Do not apologize. You were correct. Better to know the truth.”
A silence fell. She kept her gaze downcast and forced the bad memories into the past again.
“You were wrong today, about that kiss,” he said. “It was not inexplicable. Surely you know that.”
She looked up, surprised.
“From my perspective,inexplicableis an apt word,” she said.
“I do not believe you are that ignorant of men, Miss Belvoir. In fact you have just admitted as much. Those bright eyes of yours see most clearly, I think.”
“I am sure that you kiss many women. That you kissedmemakes very little sense, though. Hence it is inexplicable. My person is not fashionable. Rather the opposite, in notable ways. Men do not, as a general habit, impulsively kiss me.”
“How stupid of them.” His eyes burned. Goodness, he appeared devilishly handsome.
He lifted the decanter and tipped more wine into her glass. “That kiss was also not nearly as impulsive as I led you to think, either. I have been wanting to kiss you since the first moment I saw you in my chambers a few days ago.”
“If not impulsive, then was it at least rash?” She responded coolly, hiding as best she could how his words affected her.
“Rash? No, I would not describe it as rash.” He pretended heavy thought. “Let me see—not inexplicable, not impulsive, and not rash.” He quirked a naughty smile. “I think we are concluding it was a very good idea, Miss Belvoir.”
“Iam not concluding that.”
“I should have kissed you longer, then.”
He captured her with his gaze. He looked at her asif he considered rectifying the mistake then and there. A delicious shiver shook her. She could not look away from the new, sensual light in his eyes.
“You are so free of convention in your plans... I am almost inclined to stay in this house tonight,” he said.
“You are remarkably honest. Andverywicked.”
“And you, Miss Belvoir? Are you honest enough to admit you did not mind that kiss at all?”
“I am notwickedenough, that is certain.”
“I do not believe you think it is wicked to admit it, or to enjoy it.”
No, she did not. Objectively speaking, when analyzed from a distance, she did not hold with many of the notions society held about these things. She had not been raised by people who conformed by rote.
That was why she had been such easy pickings for Nicholas. Even that experience did not persuade her that the rules of denial always made sense, however.
Right now such philosophical musings did her little good. She balanced on a precarious ledge with this man. One nudge, one encouragement, and she suspected he would not leave the house. By morning she would be seduced. Inevitably.
From the looks of Ives, magnificently.
She found her voice. “My notions about conventions notwithstanding, we would both jeopardize our positions if we indulge in passing passions.”
He gave her a very wicked look indeed. “Ah, youare a master of logic. How inconvenient. So... were it not for our ‘positions,’ as you put it, do you think you would enjoy being my lover?”
What a scandalous question. Yet, the daring naughtiness of it was inexplicably thrilling.
“I expect that your lovers find you at least tolerable, and I would too.”
He smiled at her prim tone. “I try to be more than tolerable.”
“How generous of you.”
“If my lovers are honest regarding what gives them pleasure, it is not difficult to be generous.”
