Page 9 of In the Prince's Bed

The man was thick as a post, for God’s sake. If this was the competition, Alec would be married within the week.

“I need something more than a poem from you!” Her voice turned low and pleading. “For goodness sake, I’m twenty-two, and I’ve still never been kissed.”

“Katherine!”

Sydney’s unreasonable shock made Alec shake his head. Following propriety in public was one thing, but in private—

“We’re as good as engaged,” Miss Merivale pressed on, “and engaged people sometimes kiss. Even the proper ones.”

“Yes…but…well…I would never show you such a lack of respect. And surely you wouldn’t want me to.”

“You might be surprised,” she muttered.

Alec smothered a laugh. Seized by an urge to see as well as hear this fascinating discussion, he edged out from behind the pillar. Lovelace wore a look of sheer panic, but Miss Merivale stood resolute, her cheeks fetchingly flushed and her expression imploring.

The man was either stupid, blind, or mad. What sane man could resist a woman like that? Was there another woman, perhaps? Lovelace didn’t seem the philandering type.

“I swear I don’t know what’s come over you.” Lovelace scowled. “It’s Iversley, isn’t it? He’s got you all confused, thinking about things you…shouldn’t. Him, with his toasting and his flirting—”

“It has nothing to do with him!” the woman snapped. “I don’t even know the man. But I’ll bethewould kiss me if I asked him to.”

As soon as she said it, she clapped her hand over her mouth in horror.

Too late for that, sweetheart,Alec thought smugly.Now you’ve attacked the poor man’s pride. Even a cock-robin like Lovelace won’t stand for it.

Lovelace drew himself up stiffly. “If that’s the sort of reckless behavior you want, then perhaps I’m not what you need in a husband. But if you want a man who sees past the superficialities of the physical, and who adores you for your cleverness and your responsible character, you know where to find me.” Turning on his heel, Lovelace stalked back into the ballroom.

Leaving Miss Merivale behind and the field clear.

Alec stepped out of the shadows. “As it happens, Miss Merivale, you’re right. I would definitely kiss you if you asked me to.”

Chapter Three

Sometimes a proper female’s public behavior merely hides her thirst for passion.

—Anonymous,A Rake’s Rhetorick

Katherine couldn’t believe her eyes. Lord Iversley? Here on the gallery? Bad enough that she’d quarreled with Sydney so awfully, but to have a witness to her humiliation…Bother it all, had he heard the entire conversation?

“H-How long have you been there?” she stammered.

“Long enough.” The moonlight glimmered over his handsome features as he fixed her with a decidedly predatory look.

What incredible eyes he had, direct and focused and unearthly blue. Although he couldn’t be more than twenty-seven, his eyes said he knew secrets about life and the world beyond her ken. About her now, too, depending on how much he’d just heard.

Mortification seized her anew. “Why were you spying on us?”

Tossing down his cigar, he crushed it under his booted foot. “I merely came out for a smoke.”

“It’s rude to listen to other people’s conversations.”

“No more rude than talking about people behind their backs. Though I didn’t realize I was such a wicked rascal.”

Her face flamed. This was horrible. “We didn’t mean…that is…My goodness, you must think us awful.”

“I didn’t really mind. Especially after hearing about your plight.”

His low rumble of a voice and daring smile made her shiver deliciously. “My plight?”