She stared at him tongue-tied, her thoughts scattering. She’d always felt in control with the men she met, but Lord Lanyon was a very different proposition. He made her question her plans for her future. She’d been drawn to him at their first meeting, but he would not be an easy man toknow.
“I shan’t marry for years, if at all,” she said stiffly, dismayed by her response to his charm. “I don’t believe in the institution. Marriage stunts a woman’s growth. It’s the legal subordination of a woman to a man.”
His lips twitched. Was he laughing at her? “That would depend on the husband. And the marriage.”
She bridled. “Then it’s rather a gamble, isn’t it? How would one know for certain until they lived with someone?”
“I agree that one must trust the person they pledge their life to. But there are many delights in marriage you are discounting.”
“I believe most can be obtained outside of marriage.” She felt bold expressing such a view, but if she hoped to shock him, he merely shook hishead.
“Not children.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “Perhaps not. But I also have other pursuits in mind.”
“What are they?”
“I don’t wish to bore you.”
He seemed to enjoy her struggle for composure. “Nonsense. Everything about you interests me.”
Laura wished he wouldn’t look at her like that. As if he found her endlessly fascinating. She was quite sure she wasn’t. If it was feigned, it was a clever ploy, for what woman wouldn’t enjoy it? “I want to continue to work for women’s independence. And I’d like to travel. See the wonderful art and sculptures I’ve only viewed in books.”
“I applaud your desire to fight for women’s rights, but the movement is in its infancy, Laura. These things will come, but it will take years. Join the fight when you really can make a difference. As my wife, I would be proud to assist you with that sometime in the future. In the meantime, we can travel, visit the art treasures of the world. The Louvre in Paris, all the splendor Rome has to offer, the Parthenon in Greece.”
She breathed in deeply, as visions of those wonderful places filled her head. “You have been there?”
“I have visited them all, and more.”
“Then you may not wish to view them again.”
He smiled. “But I would. I’d love to show them all to you.”
She gasped when his hand squeezed her waist, which seemed like an act of possession. Leaning forward, he took her chin in his big hand and gazed into her eyes, his warm and imploring. “Will you think about it, at least?”
His deep voice beguiled her, and she was dismayed at the magnitude of her own desire, even as a warning voice in her head urged her to delay. “I would not want to raise your hopes.”
He lowered his head to hers. “You already have.”
He meant to kiss her. She closed her eyes, inviting his touch. His mouth grazed her earlobe and feathered soft kisses across her cheek, then firm lips claimed hers. He inhaled sharply. His strong arms encircled her, his kiss masterful, practiced. But there was raw hunger in his kiss too, along with intent. She was shocked by the awakening response he stirred within her.
He ended the kiss, his mouth hovering close to hers, his breath warming her lips where the imprint of his remained. “Say yes, Laura. We’ll have a wonderful life together.”
She was annoyed to find herself trembling. She must not forget what such a life could mean. Village life would never equal the excitement of London. She would be isolated from like-minded people. She might feel more trapped than she didnow.
Laura pushed him gently away, for when he was close, he consumed her thoughts. “I need time. It’s too soon.”
“Do you believe in destiny?”
“I suppose I do.”
“I believe we were destined to be together.”
She couldn’t discount it entirely, the way she’d been drawn to him from the moment they met. She’d never felt that for any man. She wanted very much to be with him. But she didn’t fool herself why that was. They shared a strong physical attraction. Still, what he offeredwasexciting. To become his baroness and live in an ancient home. The cost was her liberty. Might she have the romance withoutmarriage?
Laura sank against him, wanting him to kiss her again, her deep breaths failing to calm her. She sought to offer some form of argument, to slow things down, but her mind, usually so clear, became befogged at what she saw as his assault. He rushed her, overwhelmed her, and she suspected he meant to. And he would continue until he got what he wanted. She already knew that about him. Men born into privilege never expected anythingless.
He cradled her face in his hands and plundered her mouth again more urgently, his breath deepening. The carriage rocked as it negotiated a corner. Laura had no idea where they were, or who might see them behaving so scandalously. Neither did she care. She slid her fingers through the silky hair at his nape and returned his kiss, desire unfurling, warming herbody.
