Page 38 of 10 Things I Hate About the Earl

Her eyes brightened. “Then you were going to propose in the park today.”

Sighing, Marcus nodded. “Yes. I wished to make a grand gesture by proposing at the spot where we were first friendly together.”

She frowned. “You mean under the tree where you pelted me with grapes?”

“Do you not think that romantic?” He grinned at her. “I remember that afternoon with great fondness.”

She blushed. “I do as well.”

He took her hands. “So let us go there now. Let me kneel and declare myself properly.”

Squeezing his hands, Kate drew them around her until she was pressed against him.

God, she must be able to feel his cockstand through his breeches. He certainly could.

“I know you desire me, Marcus. I desire you too.” She rose on tiptoe until she could whisper in his ear. “Declare yourself with your entire body, and I will do the same. Oh, my love,” she kissed his cheek, “let us act as ever we have, with spirit and fire toward one another.”

To say his flesh was weak was an understatement, but then his spirit was equally vulnerable. Her request was wrong, by society’s standards. She should remain innocent until they were married. But they were going to marry. She’d said as much, and when Kate Locke made up her mind, it took heaven and earth to change it. Why not be a little scandalous—or a lot? If they were careful, no one would know. No one had discovered their tête-à-tête at Vauxhall. And besides, so many couples anticipated the wedding night these days it was almost expected.

One more look into her brilliant blue eyes, gazing up at him with uncontrolled desire he’d never imagined seeing from her, sealed their fate. After pressing a searing kiss to her lips, he grasped her hand and opened the door. “Be quiet and follow me.”

He led her around the corner from the study to the servants’ staircase. Stealthily, they ascended the steps, Marcus praying the maids were taking advantage of his sister and aunt’s absence to clean the lower floor rooms. He hadn’t seen them as he’d been showing her around, but then he never did. They were almost invisible, which had its advantages and disadvantages. One never knew when one would surprise a maid with her duster. He stuck his head around the corner on the second floor and sighed with relief to find the corridor empty. Marcus put his arm around Kate’s waist and swiftly ushered her to the first door on the right. He jerked the large oak door open, and they sped inside, Marcus then able to breathe again.

He closed the door, turned the key, then removed it and placed it on top of the dressing table. Absolutely no one was entering this room while they were here. Thinking rationally once more, he stood back and took in the sight of Kate, actually here in his room. Just as he’d dreamed it. She was looking around as though this was quite a normal occurrence. Of course, in the future, it would be.

She turned toward him, a smile on her face. “This room is such a reflection of you.”

How could she be so blasé about this? Well, that was Kate down to the ground.

In two strides, he was in front of her, his arms sliding around her, his mouth descending on hers. Every time they kissed, a hunger for more of her grew within him. Today, at last, that hunger would be satisfied. He pressed his tongue against the seam of her lips, hoping she’d understand and grant him entry.

She tensed in his arms, her head tilting a little, then tentatively relaxed her lips. With a groan of victory, he slid his tongue into her as he’d dreamed of doing these past weeks. Her mouth was soft as velvet and sweeter than any woman he’d ever known. He plundered here and there, needing to discover every bit of her.

Moaning low in her throat, she wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him with total abandon.

That guttural sound sent a streak of fire directly to his member, which had already been semi-erect. Now his cock bumped against his smallclothes, impatient to play as well. Marcus broke the kiss, panting as he stared into Kate’s incredulous face.

“What do you call that kiss?” She breathed deeply, her cheeks a bright red, her blue eyes dark with desire.

“A lover’s kiss.” This woman was so lovely, so desirable. That it had taken him so long to realize it spoke to his addled brain.

“Because we’re about to become lovers?” Her gaze met his, warm and eager. He need have no fear that she was unwilling.

Marcus nodded and licked his lips. He was so very ready for her but had no idea what she knew regarding what they were about to do. Most young ladies were sheltered from such knowledge, although knowing Kate, he wouldn’t be surprised if she’d managed to find out more than the usual unmarried miss. He pulled her back to him, and she laid her head on his chest, as naturally as if she’d done it all her life. “Do you know anything about what that means, Kate?”

She nodded.

Well, he’d called that one.

“Celinda overheard some things when her mother wasn’t paying attention to her. She told me.”

“What did she tell you?”

Kate pulled back and peered up at him. “Don’t you know?”

Marcus had to bite back a laugh. “I do know, but what young ladies overhear may not be exactly correct. I want to know if you understand what to expect.”

Her face pinkened, but she nodded. “I trust you to know what to do if I don’t.”