Page 14 of Almost A Scoundrel

“You ask as if England were awash in eligible bachelors. And by the by, it’s not the bachelor part I’m denouncing, it’s theeligiblepart. I suppose our definitions of that word are a bit different.”

“Wealthy. Unattached.”

“That describes every other titled lord in London.”

“Not every lord is wealthy.”

“Yet they all appear to be embroidered in gold silk.”

Deerhurst laughed. “True enough,” he conceded. Appearances were everything.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. I have no plans to wed any man.”

This surprised the hell out of him. “No marriage?”

“No marriage,” she confirmed.

“A brave choice.”

He didn’t question her further. Her future plans had nothing to do with him. Yet the weight of that blasted list pressed down on his chest even more. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin a woman’s plan for her own life.

“What else have you witnessed through the windows of our drawing room?”

“Trust me, my lady, you do not wish to know the answer to that.”

“Of course I do.”

“No, you don’t.”

“My curiosity has been aroused, Deerhurst. Now I simply must know. Is it worse than drawing a pistol on a man?”

“It’s certainly more sensual.”

Her eyes went wide. “Romantic, you mean?”

“No.” It was madness—utter madness—but he lowered his head to whisper in her ear. “Kissing.” His gaze caught hers. “Carnal.”

Her lips parted and closed again. “I’m not sure what you mean,” she said. “Did someone kiss in our drawing room?”

“Amongst other things.”

“Who? I cannot think of anyone who would... well,kissin the drawing room.”

“You have much to learn about people and the desires that drive them.”

“Are you going to tell me or not?”

“I doubt they’d want me to reveal their identities. Just like you wouldn’t want me to reveal to anyone whatyoudid, correct?”

She pursed her lips.

“Will you at least tell me whatcarnalmeans? I don’t believe I’ve ever come across the word.”

Show her.

Deerhurst ignored the voice in his head.

“Are you in possession of a dictionary?” he asked instead.