Page 64 of The Pleasures of Passion

“You think he’s innocent?”

“I damned well hope so, for the sake of you and Silas.” When her face clouded over, he changed the subject. “Anyway, I have the whole day ahead of me to spend with my fiancée. And I thought we’d use it productively at Margrave Manor.”

A sigh escaped her. “You know I can’t run off to your estate unchaperoned.”

“Which is why I intend to include your aunt in the invitation. And young Silas, too, if you wish.” He bent close to add in a whisper, “I figure that the lad will keep Lady Pensworth occupied, so I can keepyouoccupied. If you know what I mean.”

She eyed him askance. “You’re a very wicked fellow, Lord Margrave.”

“Not as wicked as I hope to be once we reach my estate.”

He was rewarded for that rakish comment when she colored prettily. Her blushes never ceased to rouse him. She knew just how to make a man yearn. And he was yearning something fierce for her just now. “Say you’ll go, Bree.”

“Not if you’re planning to be wicked. You promised to behave.” She tapped his hand with her pencil. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to stick to your promise. But I warn you—I will hold firm in my determination not to give in to any attempt at wickedness on your part.”

“Shall we place a wager on that?” he said with a grin.

“I never gamble.”

“Then you lead a very dull life.”

Her gaze turned earnest. “I do indeed. And I like my dull life.”

“Do you? Is that why you blush so whenever I threaten wickedness?”

She swallowed. “I just happen to blush easily.”

Even the motion of her throat captivated him. “I never saw you blush with anyone else.”

“That’s because you haven’t been around to see me with anyone else,” she said tartly. “Our first courtship was secret, while our second—”

“So therewillbe a second courtship, then.”

She sniffed. “You didn’t let me finish. I was going to say that our second courtship is pretend.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“Niall, there are still things you aren’t considering.”

The doom and gloom in her voice got his back up. “Like what?”

“Like Papa, for example. What if he’s guilty?”

“What if he is? I don’t give a damn what happens to him after what he did. Do you?”

“No, but I don’t think you’ve considered how it will affectyouif he’s guilty. There will be a trial and gossip in the press, and you’ll be part of that. So if you marry me you’llhaveto give a damn. As a widow with little at stake, I can weather the scandal simply by retiring to the country and living a quiet life. But that’s impossible for you. An earl must move in society.”

“An earl can do pretty much as he pleases,” he countered. “Besides, my name is already tarred with scandal because of the duel. One more is hardly going to hurt me.”

“That was a duel of honor, which isn’t held in contempt in your circles. But counterfeiting?” When he let out a coarse oath, she added more gently, “You have family you’re not going to want to see suffer if Papa is convicted. And as long as you’re connected to me, theywill. Delia can distance herself from her former sister-in-law to a certain extent, but Clarissa cannot distance herself from her brother. Only imagine what effect the gossip would have on her.”

“Trust me, that isn’t the sort of gossip that would faze my sister.” He searched her face. “Or is this another excuse for why we shouldn’t marry?”

“I’m just saying—”

“You told me you’d give me your answer soon.” He rose from the bench to stare down at her. “So is it yea or nay? Because I’m in no mood to continue this dance without knowing where it’s heading.”

“I need more time to consider everything—Papa and Silas and all of it.”