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Dangerouslyattractive.

“So, this list of yours…”

She regarded him with narrowed eyes. “I think this is not a topic I—an unmarried young lady—should be discussing withyou.”

A scoundrel. A rogue.

The words hung in the tense air between them.

His smile widened. “Oh no, little cat. In fact, you could not have found a better man to discuss it with.”

When it came tothat, he could be extremely helpful.

She rolled her eyes at his ill-concealed enthusiasm. “Of coursean inveterate rogue such as yourself would be interested in the hidden and scandalous desires of young ladies.”

That was only partially true. Hedidhave an interest in the clandestine and the scandalous. And unlike those damned dandies, he not only dabbled in it, but he was also anexpert.

As for young ladies? He was afraid he was interested in onlyone.

And therein lay the source of all his troubles.

Hudson pursed his lips.

It was one thing to act on his desires. It was another thing entirely for someone to be the only object of those said desires.

And right now, she was leaning into him, ensconced in his arms and his coat. The combination of their scents was a potent fragrance that had him straining against his breeches.

“I made that list the very first time Alexander insisted that I find a suitable man to marry,” she admitted softly.

“These are reasonable expectations of your betrothed,” he seconded most agreeably, while inwardly wishing the man would go to hell. “If not a bit too romantic.”

She let out a soft laugh tinged with bitterness. “The items on my list… I did not exactly expect them of my husband.”

Now, he was well and truly shocked.

“You mean to say,” he guessed, “that you are going into marriage with the intention of procuring a lover for yourself?”

It was hardly unusual.

Marriages were rarely happy or even mildly pleasurable unions, although his friends had done rather well for themselves. For Scarlett to accept the realities of such relationships amongst the ton…

A heaviness settled in his chest. She deserved more than that.

“This is a list I intended to fulfillbeforemy marriage,” she clarified. “Notafter.”

Bloody hell.

Hudson nearly plowed his hands through his hair.

She did not just say that.

And he most certainly should not take it as an open invitation to help her fulfill her damned list. No, he was the worst possible candidate for that, because he wouldneverbe able to let her go and watch her marry another man once he’d had her.

“Are all the items on your list… ofthatnature?” he asked, his mouth suddenly dry.

He saw her eyes light up with mischief. Knew he should not allow himself to get sucked into the whirling sapphire vortex.

Too late.