A Gentleman Never Tells by Eloisa James Page B

thing happened with Oliver?
    She would die of shame. In fact—­
    A hand curled around her wrist and she jerked her head up.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Oliver asked in a low voice.
    â€œI can’t do it,” she blurted out.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œ That .”
    He took her mallet and leaned it against a chair. Then he called over to Joshua, “We’re forfeiting the game.”
    Joshua let out a howl of laughter.
    â€œWe’re winning,” Lizzie protested.
    Oliver’s hand slid down her wrist and his fingers laced between hers.
    â€œYou won’t leave the room with my sister,” Cat said, appearing suddenly. “Because that would be most improper.”
    Lizzie opened her mouth to offer a protest, since she had no need for a chaperone, but Oliver simply said, “We’re merely going to sit down and watch you play. Lady Troutt is tired.”
    Cat turned, and Lizzie knew all her exhausted, ashamed feelings were evident in her eyes.
    Her sister’s expression immediately changed. “Oh, Lizzie, you told me how exhausted you were, and I didn’t listen. Do sit down, and I’ll order some tea. Or would you prefer hot milk?”
    â€œNeither,” Lizzie said faintly. “Thank you.”
    She was going to have to tell Oliver the truth, no matter how humiliating it was. He wasn’t a liar, and she refused to make up a falsehood, even if it spared her embarrassment. She would tell him the truth about her marriage.
    Not only had Adrian not fallen in love with her, as her father had confidently predicted, he couldn’t even perform in her presence.
    â€œA glass of brandy,” Oliver was saying. “Actually, two.”
    Lizzie meant to say that she didn’t drink spirits, but she was trying to figure out how to make the most embarrassing confession of her life. Before she knew it, she and Oliver were tucked in a settee at the side of the room, sipping glasses of something that tasted like liquid fire while Cat bustled back to the game.
    Unfortunately, it seemed that the girls had taken advantage of the interruption in play and nudged their ball into a better position.
    â€œI feel I should apologize for my niece,” Oliver said, after they sat for a moment in silence. “She’s very young to be so criminally minded. I blame my sister’s incessant Bible study.”
    Lizzie could feel anxiety beating in her bloodstream. “Your seduction,” she said, and stopped.
    Oliver was looking down at her. “I truly want to marry you,” he said conversationally.
    â€œNo,” she said with a gasp. “The only question is whether I would allow you to seduce me and I feel that I have to tell you that I may not suit you in bed.”
    He burst into laughter. It was the first time she’d heard Oliver laugh from his belly, a deep, rolling humor that made his face light up. It was the most sensual thing she’d ever seen.
    Still.
    â€œI mean it,” she persisted.
    â€œWhy would you think such an absurdity?” he asked, managing to control his amusement.
    â€œMy marriage with Adrian was not consummated,” she said, fidgeting with a fold of her gown.
    She looked up just in time to see a bolt of pure joy cross Oliver’s face.
    Oh.
    She hadn’t thought about it from a man’s point of view.
    â€œAt this point, little I can learn about your late husband would shock me. Still, that is most surprising. Why?”
    â€œHe was incapable with me,” Lizzie said flatly. “I didn’t have the kind of figure he admired, and I refused to do what he requested.” Panic reared over her like an ocean wave. “I can’t imagine why we’re having this conversation. I must have been temporarily out of my mind to entertain the thought, Mr. Berwick.”
    â€œSo Troutt had no lead in his pencil, hmmm?” Oliver’s voice had a thread of pure wicked laughter running through