Page 67 of In the Prince's Bed

By God, what was wrong with him? This jealousy nonsense—even his former mistress had never roused it in him. Why must it appear with Katherine, the one person he should be calm and reasonable and blasted gentlemanly around?

But the mad possessiveness she brought out in him did shed new light on his parents’ marriage. He’d never understood how a man who ignored his wife could treat her badly when she found pleasure elsewhere.

Now he understood. Not the bad treatment; there was no excuse for that. But the power of jealousy was stronger than he’d realized. Acting on a bitter man of no character, like the old earl, it was bound to wreak havoc.

He mustn’t let it wreak havoc on him. He had Katherine now—he mustn’t jeopardize that.Follow the rules. Don’t let passion deter you from your objective.

So after they arrived, and he accompanied the ladies into the town house, he was surprised to hear himself say, “Mrs. Merivale, may I speak to your daughter privately?”

The woman’s gaze grew speculative as she glanced from him to Katherine. “I daresay you’ve been private enough with my daughter this evening.” She smiled. “But I suppose a few minutes more can’t hurt.”

She strode off down the hall as Alec led Katherine to the parlor. As soon as they entered, he hauled Katherine into his arms and kissed her thoroughly, seeking reassurance in the sweet warmth of her mouth.

When he drew back, she gaped at him. “Alec? What—”

“That’s to remind you of me when you meet with Lovelace. In case he resorts to my own tactics to tempt you back to his side.”

Her eyes gleamed with mischief. “What happened to the man who urged me to try other men’s kisses? And said I needed more of a basis for comparison? Perhaps you’re right—if Sydney will kiss me again, I can make a proper—”

He cut her off with a kiss so long and deep that she melted completely in his arms. When he pulled away to see her eyes closed, her breath coming in urgent gasps, and her body swaying, the hard knot in his gut finally loosened.

As she opened her eyes in a daze, he growled, “And that, you impertinent minx, is for having so much fun tormenting me.”

“Just wait until we’re married,” she teased, undeterred by his gruff manner.

“I’m not sure I can last until then if we’re always seeing Lovelace in society,” he grumbled.

She eyed him askance. “Promise you’ll be civil to him at Lady Purefoy’s supper.”

He scowled. “I’ll be very civil. If he attempts to kiss you, I’ll use great civility in knocking him into the next county.”

A shadow fell over her features. “Now, Alec, you would never—”

“No.” With an effort, he reined in his powerful feelings. “I’m only joking.” When both her eyebrows arched high, he added ruefully, “Half-joking anyway. But I promise not to embarrass you.”

“And after we’re married? Will you refrain from embarrassing me then?”

“I’ll try not to be too jealous a husband, if that’s what you mean.”

She chewed her lower lip. “And will you…um…givemecause to be jealous? I know most gentlemen have their dalliances, but—”

He pressed a finger to her lips. “I’m not like most gentlemen. And I intend to share my bed with only one woman once I marry.” As the product of a household shattered by a single unfaithful act, he had no intention of repeating history. “Some of us gentlemen do believe in fidelity, you know.”

“I hope so. Because I won’t stand by and meekly accept infidelity—I’m not like most ladies, either.”

He bit back a smile. “I came to that conclusion the first time I met you, sweetheart. It’s what I like about you.”

Her features softened. “As long as we understand each other.”

A throat being cleared in the hall made him groan. “Your mother is signaling that it’s time for my retreat.”

Katherine sighed. “Mama is nothing if not subtle.” He turned away, but she stayed him with one hand. “Just so you’ll know, you were right about Sydney’s kiss that day at the reading—it didn’t live up to my expectations.”

“I figured that out, too.”

She stiffened. “Rather sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“If you’d enjoyed kissing Sydney, you would never have let me court you,” he said simply. “You wouldn’t have toyed with either of our affections like that.”