Page 20 of In the Prince's Bed

With a deft maneuver, she slipped back to restore the distance between them. “That’s because I don’t intend to be one. Ever.”

Blast, she had her defenses up higher than Portugal’s Mount Peneda. He should never have kissed her on the gallery—it had only added to her false impression of him. But how could he have resisted such an invitation?

Unfortunately, only the truth about how he’d lived abroad would change her mind about him, and that would also rouse questions he must avoid. It might even lead to questions about his current finances.Ifshe even believed any explanation he gave her about what he’d done in Portugal.

No, better to let her get to know his character—then she’d discover that her impressions were wrong. But would that be enough? “Does your cynicism have anything to do with your father and his ‘mission to debauch everything in skirts’?”

She blushed crimson. “My goodness, did you hear my entire conversation with Sydney out there?”

“Enough to know that you let your father influence your opinion of men too much. Just because your only example of a man happened to be a debaucher—”

“I had ample examples of good men growing up, I assure you. My grandfather lived with us until his death six years ago, and he was fine and moral.”

“Like Sydney.”

“Yes. And like Sydney’s father. Whenever I visited the Lovelace estate, I saw how decent, upstanding people live—who respect each other and behave with courtesy and consideration instead of—” She broke off. “I decided then that I’d never let my…attraction to a man tempt me into doing anything I’d regret.”

“Should I be flattered that you broke your rules for me on the gallery?”

She tipped up her chin. “It was an experiment, nothing more—to remind me that my decision about Sydney was wise. But I’m done with that particular experiment. For good.”

Damn. She’d already tried and convicted him without a hearing. If he didn’t do something quickly, she would avoid his company in future. And then how would he convince her of his true character?

Especially when she compared him to her precious Sir Perfect Poet, with his irreproachable manners. Alec glanced over to where Lovelace stood, ignoring Mrs. Merivale’s incessant chatter to glare at him.

Time to switch courses. Lovelace had asked for two weeks—plenty of time for Alec to pursue an alternate plan for securing her. “You’re missing a prime opportunity, you know.”

She eyed him askance. “To let you catch me and stick me in your stewpot?”

“No, to force Lovelace into a position where hehasto offer for you.”

Her hand tightened convulsively on his. “What do you mean?”

“Jealousy is a powerful emotion, sweetheart. Perhaps if your Sydney thinks he’s losing you, he’ll finally come up to snuff.”

“Or think I’m a shameless flirt not worth marrying.”

“Playing the long-suffering friend hasn’t worked, has it? You’re still waiting for him to make a formal offer.”

That sensual lower lip of hers trembled. “He says he’ll do it soon.”

“In two weeks. And only because you insisted. Do you really believe he’ll forget years of catering to his mother because of some arbitrary deadline? No, he won’t act unless he thinks he has to. So you must convince him that he does.”

“By making him jealous.”

“Exactly.”

“I can only guess how you propose to do that,” she retorted.

“It’s simple, really—I flirt with you publicly until Lovelace’s jealousy drives him to offer for you.”

Her pretty eyebrows quirked up. “What do you get out of this, I wonder?”

Marriage, I hope.“You said men like me enjoy the thrill of the chase. Well…” He caressed her waist. “I get to chase you.”

A spark of fear leaped in her eyes. Good. At least she wasn’t as immune to him as she pretended.

He gave an exaggerated shrug. “But if the idea of my chasing you worries you, then it probably wouldn’t work. You’d fall madly in love with me and end up with a broken heart.”