More narrowed eyes. “What wouldyouget out of such an arrangement?”
“I will get your company and the good graces of my wife, if for a short period of time.”
She swiveled on her heel and began marching back to the curricle. “No. You’re lying. The answer is no.”
Moments later, he came flying around her, laughing. “Why are you so suspicious?”
“Why would you ever think I wouldn’t be?” she shot back.
“Fine. I admit that I’m not telling you my entire reason, but I swear that I am not lying about wanting your company and to be in your good graces.”
“When will you tell me the rest of your reasoning?” she demanded.
“I can only say I hope it shall become obvious after we begin.”
Gemma crossed her arms over her chest once more. She drummed her fingertips near her elbows as she contemplated his words. It sounded too good to be true. Of course, it was too good to be true. On the other hand, what choice did she have? A divorce without his cooperation might not happen at all and fifty-thousand pounds was nothing to dismiss.
But there was one question burning a path through her brain. One that had to be settled immediately. “What about conjugal rights?”
More innocent blinking from Grovemont. “What about them?”
“Ugh.” She huffed. Did she have to say it so clearly? “Will you expect me to pretend to be happy…” She tugged uneasily at the neck of her pelisse and forced the two words from lips. “In bed?”
He cleared his throat and gave her a sly smile. “Ihopeyou won’t be pretending.”
First, something about the look on his face made heat gather between her legs. Unwelcome heat. Unwanted heat. Butundeniableheat.
Second, that wasnotthe answer she’d expected. “What?” She wanted to stamp her foot on the grass. “You must be jesting. You honestly think we should share a bed? What if I become heavy with child?”
Lucian had been waitingfor this argument. And he was fully prepared with his counter. “If we divorce after the two months have passed, I will have no hope of securing an heir. These eight weeks may be my last chance.”
She lifted her chin. Her eyes were dark slits. “That’s not true. You can remarry.”
“I won’t remarry,” he assured her.
She clenched her jaw and turned away from him. Clearly, this last bit was difficult for her to agree to. But it was non-negotiable. He could only await her answer.
“And if I don’t agree to this plan?” she finally asked.
“I will make it as difficult as humanly possible for you to divorce me,” he said in a matter-of-fact voice. Damn. That was his last card. He’d just dropped it on the proverbial table. He hoped this worked.
She strode away from him quickly and then nearly as quickly strode back. “While we are in bed, do you expect me to…participate?”
His grin was devilish. “Wholeheartedly.”
She sucked in her breath. “But what if I?—?”
“Look. Despite your claim that the marriage was not consummated, we both know it was. And we know that it was—ahem—enjoyable. Do you deny it?” He lifted his brows, challenging her.
She looked as if she wanted to slap him. But thankfully she said, “No. I don’t deny it.” He admired her for her honesty.
“Good, then we can agree that despite our failure to begin on the right foot as a married couple, we are compatible in bed. Which means we might as well enjoy ourselves while we’re there. I don’t want an unwilling wife. There is absolutely nothing attractive to me about forcing a woman.”
She tapped her fingertip on her jaw, alarm obvious in her eyes. “Wait a moment. You said, ‘if we divorce after the two months.’ Does that mean you are hoping?—?”
“That you’ll change your mind by the end of it? Yes. I am. I admit it.”
Gemma closed her eyes and sucked in a long, deep breath. When she finally opened her eyes again, she met his steady, inquiring gaze. “Why do you want this?” Her voice was strained, quiet.
