Page 48 of How to Fall for a Scoundrel
He caught her hand and placed it flat on his chest. His heart thumped, strong and steady, beneath her palm.
“The heart that beats in this body is the same, whether you call me Harry, or Henri, Enrico, or Charles King.”
She shook her head, amused by his logic, but too tired to think of a counter-argument. “You were wrong about people living up to their names. Willingham’s wife is called Cassandra. If she was named after the oracle in Greek mythology, she should have been able to predict the theft of her diamonds.”
His lips curved. “I didn’t say it was a perfect system. Only a general rule.”
“Speaking of rules, do you really have your own set for thieving?”
“I do. Rule number one I’ve mentioned before. It’snever steal something from a man that he cannot afford to buy back. Rule number two isnever rob an honest man.”
“A thief with morals?” she snorted. “Isn’t that a little contradictory?”
“Life’s contradictory.”
“Fair enough. Tell me the others.”
“Hugo mentioned rules three and four at Willingham’s. Rule number three isnever go anywhere without a weapon.”
“And rule number four isnever mix theft with seduction.” She smiled. “I remember that one.”
“Which is closely related to rule number five,” he continued. “When it comes to women, jobs, and duels—one at a time.”
“You told me rule number six yesterday,” she said. “Always talk to the servants.”
He tapped her playfully on the nose. “Very good, Miss Law. You’ve been paying attention. Rule number seven isif it looks too good to be true, it probably is.And the final rule, rule number eight, iswhat you take, you sell. What you’re given, you keep.”
Ellie yawned again. She was losing the battle against sleep, despite wanting to stay awake and talk.
“Those all sound very sensible. Can you add to the list, if you want?”
“Of course. It’s an ongoing project.”
He pulled the coverlet up over her shoulder and gathered her into his arms. Ellie tensed for a moment, unused to being held in such a way. She hadn’t slept in a bed with another person since she, Daisy, and Tess had snuggled up together beneath the blankets at Hollyfield as girls, giggling and whispering beneath the covers.
No, that was wrong, she remembered sleepily. She and Ellie had kept Tess company at Wansford Hall two years ago, on the fateful night the old duke, Tess’s first husband, had died on their wedding night and left Tess a wealthy, virginal widow.
This was a far more pleasant occasion.
The heat of Harry’s naked body warmed her, and she slowly relaxed into his embrace, pressing her nose into his shoulder and inhaling the intoxicating musky scent of his skin.
A thousand thoughts jostled for attention in her brain. She was a virgin no more, technically ruined in social terms, but she couldn’t seem to dredge up an ounce of regret. Even if she never married, never found another man to share such intimacies with, she’d always have this one, perfect night to remember.
Her eyes fluttered closed, but as she drifted off, she was sure she heard Harry whisper, “What you’re given, you keep.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Henry James Charles Brooke, the twelfth Earl of Cobham, known to a select few friends as Harry, gazed down at the sleeping woman in his arms and sighed.
This hadnotbeen part of the plan.
But how could he possibly have foreseen the havoc that one shy, stubborn wallflower could wreak?
It was his own fault. He was more than accustomed to assessing the risks in any situation, and from the moment he’d set eyes on Ellie Law, he’d been drawn to her as to a priceless painting or an irreplaceable gem.
He should have known the danger he was in. Her cleverness and tenacity matched his own, and unlocking the passionate nature that lurked beneath her bluestocking exterior tonight had been both a pleasure and a privilege.
Her small, soft body curled trustingly into his and he tightened his arms around her as a strange protectiveness swept over him. He wanted to make love to her again. Once hadn’t been enough, but he’d been very conscious of the fact that she was a virgin. It had taken every ounce of his restraint to go slowly, not to scare her, to make her first time enjoyable.