A Most Sinful Proposal by Sara Bennett Page A

will-power to resist her, and was then forced into a marriage proposal. Just as she was cross with herself for the same reason.
    And confused. And guilty.
    She’d come here to hunt George, after all, not fall in lust with his brother.
    And yet she could not deny those moments with Valentine had been wonderfully exciting, empowering, and special. She wanted more. Like one of those laudanum addicts she’d always despised, she couldn’t stop at one draught.
    With a groan she tossed her hat onto her bed and sat down to remove her riding boots, throwing first one and then the other across the room, hoping the violence would release some of her pent-up emotion.
    Marissa could honestly say she’d never done anything like she did today at Montfitchet. And she’d never felt such a thrilling, dark pleasure as she had when Valentine kissed her and touched her. Her hand rested lightly on her breast, remembering. She’d never thought of herself as a sensual woman, but Valentine had shown her the truth. Was it awful to admit she wanted more? And there was more, she was certain of it, a great deal more he could teach her about herself and physical pleasure. Wasn’t that what husband hunting was all about?
    But he’s the wrong man!
    It was all very well her friends from Miss Debenham’s urging her to use her feminine wiles, but what would they think when they discovered she’d used them on the wrong man? And while she was using them she’d not given dear George a single thought.
    “It’s all his fault for not being here,” she muttered, and then jumped when there was a rap on her door.
    “Marissa?” Her grandmother entered, looking about the chamber suspiciously. “Were you speaking to someone?”
    “No, Grandmamma. Only myself.” Marissa was glad to be interrupted.
    Lady Bethany had changed from her traveling dress into something less restrictive, wrapping a cashmere shawl around her shoulders. With her hair loosened, softening the lines of her face, she looked younger and strangely vulnerable.
    “How is Lord Jasper?” Marissa asked, as her grandmother came to sit beside her on the bed.
    “Sleeping, and hopefully no worse for his experience.” She hesitated, fiddling with the rings on her fingers. “What do you think of him, my dear?”
    “I think him a very nice man,” Marissa said promptly. “Much nicer than Mr. Garfield.”
    Lady Bethany waved her hand impatiently at the mention of her previous beau. “Garfield is gone and forgotten.” Another pause, more fiddling with her rings. “He is a little younger than me, you know.”
    “Is he?”
    “Ten years,” Lady Bethany said heavily.
    “But you are so very youthful in your ways,Grandmamma,” Marissa assured her. “Everyone says so.”
    Her grandmother brightened. “I am, aren’t I?”
    “An older man would have trouble keeping up with you.”
    “I do believe you’re right.”
    Marissa placed her hand on her grandmother’s. “But then again…You don’t think it is a little soon to be considering Lord Jasper in such an…an intimate light, Grandmamma?”
    Lady Bethany’s thin eyebrows climbed. “Not at all. I always know the moment I meet someone whether I want them as a lover and a friend. I am a very good judge of character, my dear.”
    “Yes, Grandmamma,” Marissa replied, trying not to be shocked, but the vision of her grandmamma welcoming Lord Jasper into her boudoir was almost more than she could manage.
    “And at my age there isn’t time to dilly-dally,” her grandmother added. Her eyes narrowed. “What happened between you and Kent, Marissa? He was like a sulky schoolboy when you came back from the castle ruins.”
    Marissa avoided that sharp gaze. “Nothing happened, Grandmamma. He was disappointed he didn’t find his rose, that is all.”
    “Hmm, well I don’t believe you. I suppose you’ll tell me the truth when you’re ready.” She rose to her feet and made for the door. “Now I am going to take a little nap before