Page 69 of To Pleasure a Prince

Rampant desire leaped in his face. “He can. But that would not be wise now. If you touch me like that, I doubt that anything on this earth could make me return you to Almack’s. And we both know I have to return you.” He lifted her off his lap, setting her on the seat opposite him as a resigned note entered his voice. “I only pray that we’ve not been gone too long already.”

“And if we have?” she asked.

His gaze met hers, ardent and intense. “Then we’ll marry, of course.”

She caught her breath. “You would marry me? The sister of your enemy?”

“I don’t believe in making women pay for the sins of their male relations. And you know there’s no other solution.Ifwe are caught, that is.”

“Ifwe are caught,” she echoed.

When she said nothing more, he frowned, then commanded his driver to return to Almack’s. As the coachman brought the carriage round, Regina busied herself with restoring her clothing to its proper condition, trying not to think about the ramifications of what Marcus had just said.

Marriage to Marcus. For one heady moment, the thought of being Marcus’s wife tantalized her. Then reality sank in. Her problems would not go away just because he made her his wife. If anything, they would increase.

He watched her a moment in brooding silence. Then he cleared his throat. “If our tête-à-tête results in your ruin, wemustbe married. Surely you see that.”

“Of course. It’s just that…well…I had never intended to marry.”

He eyed her skeptically. “Never? Are you serious?”

“Perfectly serious.”

He was silent for a moment. “That’s why you refuse all your suitors.”

“Yes.”

“Why would a woman in your position, who could have any man she wanted, make such an absurd choice?”

Because I’m damaged. Because my children might also be damaged. Because I could not bear to see the disgust in your eyes if you discovered it.

She forced a lightness into her tone. “I’m simply as spoiled as you claim; I’m used to having my own way. But married women have no such freedom. Only the most indulgent of husbands will allow his wife to go where she pleases when she pleases, to stay in town as long as she likes with whatever friends she chooses.”

He stiffened. “I doubtIcould be that indulgent a husband.”

She gave a hollow laugh. “You aren’t even an indulgent suitor—as a husband you’re likely to be a tyrant.” When he bristled, she added softly, “I’m only teasing, Marcus. But be honest—you would try to keep me shackled by your side in the country all the time, wouldn’t you?”

When he glanced away, she knew she’d hit on the truth.

“You would try to choose my friends, too,” she went on. “I know you would. For one thing, you would probably forbid me from seeing His Highness at all or going to parties where he might appear—”

“Damned right I would.” His gaze shot to her, intensely protective. “I’d never let that devil within ten feet of anybody I cared about.”

Her heart began that silly pitter-patter again. “And you…care about me?”

“You really need to ask?”

“I suppose not.” She busied herself with drawing on her gloves. “If I can sneak back into Almack’s without being missed…what happens then?”

“I’ll tell you what doesnothappen. If you won’t marry me, then we do not meet alone like this ever again. We do not court, and we do not kiss.” When her surprised gaze shot to him, he said, “I won’t endure it. I want you too badly to dance attendance on you like all your other conquests, when all you want from me is a bit of fun.”

“That’s not true!”

“Isn’t it? You don’t want to marry, yet you behave like a woman who does. What should I make of that?” His voice grew bitter. “Unless this is how you refuse all of your unacceptable suitors—by claiming you don’t want marriage when you really just don’t want marriage tothem.”

“I would never be so dishonest.”

“Then you’d better hope you’re not compromised. Because if you are, wewillbe married, your objections notwithstanding.”