Page 29 of Ravishing Camille

“What?” She looked truly perplexed.

“If you have todecideordiscover, then it isn’t love.”

“How do you know?”

“Because…”

She waved him off. “Because you’ve been in love. Well, good. Wonderful. How did it happen for you?”

“What?”

“Over time? One night at dinner? A walk in the park?” She leaned forward and her breasts swayed toward him, the nipples hard and peaked and his trousers absurdly tight.

He crossed one leg over the other, hoping he effected a bit of camouflage. “Over time. Months.”

“Well, there you have it! Your own proof.”

“But you say you’ve known him for years!”

She curled a shoulder. “Here. There. A waltz. A ride in Hyde Park. Not so well really.”

“Exactly!” Triumphant, he felt his anger flare. “Does he like your novels?”

“I haven’t asked.”

He snorted. “Don’t you think you should?”

“I don’t care if he likes them or not.”

“Don’t you think he should approve?”

“He should. Every man should. Again, whether he approves or not will not mean hide nor hair to me.”

“Ba! Really? Then why are you worried you won’t have control over your income after marriage?”

“Is one the same as the other?”

“Related! It’s about respect! And you know it!” He was angry. But loving the repartee and that he had control of the conflict. He’d keep it. “Has he sent you flowers?”

She drew back in her chair. “Last week.”

“Have you met his family?”

“Yes. Years ago.”

Dear God.“Has he kissed you?”

“Yes.”

Arrogant man!“Did you like it?”

“Why?” She glared at him.

Wonderful. He’d made her angry. She’d answer him now.

But she clasped her hands together and regarded him much as his first tutor of Mandarin had. With tolerance. “What are you getting at, Pierce?”

“What did you feel when he kissed you?”