Page 44 of In the Prince's Bed

A chill swept over him. She mustn’t find that out until he’d secured her.

“Sit down, sit down, Lord Iversley,” her mother gushed as she welcomed them into the tiny parlor. “This calls for a celebration.”

“Mama!” Katherine said, color suffusing her too-pale cheeks at her mother’s inappropriate response to Alec’s announcement. “He has not…that is…”

“Your mother’s right,” Alec said smoothly. “This is definitely cause to celebrate.”

“You see, Katherine? His lordship knows the way of things. Now, you two lovebirds sit down, and I’ll see to having some tea and cakes brought.” Her mother headed out the door, still talking. “Oh, and I shall have to send round to Pollock’s for champagne…”

As her voice receded down the hall, Katherine snatched her hand free and whirled on him. “What on earth are you doing? Did you decide to make the chase more exciting?”

“Hardly. Falsely asking for permission to court you would brand me a scoundrel in society.”

“Society already brands you a scoundrel.”

“No, only your friend Sydney does that.”

“He’s not my friend; he’s my…my—”

“Intended? Did he ask you to marry him while I was waiting outside with the horses?” When she paled but said nothing, he added, “I didn’t think so. If he’d proposed, you wouldn’t have ridden like a madwoman all the way home.”

With a scowl, she removed her bonnet and tossed it onto the nearby sofa. “Why are you doing this? You can’t be in earnest.”

“I showed how earnest I was when I kissed you. Several times, I might add.”

“Yes, but that’s just…well…”

“Physical desire?” He advanced on her. “That’s more than many married couples have.”

“But less than I want,” she whispered.

“It’s more than you’ll get from Sydney.”

She pressed her fingertips to her temples, rubbing circles on them. “I can’t marry you, Alec.”

By God, she would turn him down before he even asked. He couldn’t let her. “I haven’t asked you to marry me.”

She tipped up her chin. “You asked permission to court me, which is practically the same thing. And there’s no point. I won’t marry you.”

Think, man. Give her a reason for continuing this that she’ll accept.“You don’t have to. I only spoke of courtship to your mother because I saw you weakening in your determination to continue this scheme with Sydney. So I took steps to make sure we continue.”

A strange mix of emotions crossed her face. “If that’s your plan, I can relieve you on that score. The truth is, I suspect Sydney and I are done anyway.”

“Really?”

“I told him it was over between us. Unless he makes an offer, I want nothing to do with him, and since he seems in no hurry to do that…” She gave him a shaky smile. “So you see, there’s no reason for you to take such a high-handed measure. I’ve given up on making him jealous.”

When her bitter tone showed she meant it, triumph surged through Alec. Until he realized she was trying to tell him his “services” were no longer needed.

Like hell they weren’t. “Ah, but you still want to marry him, don’t you?”

“I…I…it’s hopeless. He’ll never marry me.”

“Last night you would have said he’d never kiss you, but he did. Who knows how he’ll react if he learns I’m courting you? I’m sure your mother will spread that news quickly, so he’s bound to hear. And then…” He shrugged.

She stared at him with suspicion. “I don’t understand why you care.”

Dragging her into his arms, he nuzzled her hair. “I’m not ready to give up the chase, sweetheart. Why, we’ve hardly even become acquainted.” Something he fully intended to remedy, now that he’d made his intentions clear.