In The Prince's Bed by Sabrina Jeffries Page B

Matters would go much easier for him if she already understood and accepted life’s realities. “All women should go into marriage with your attitude, realizing that it’s an alliance made for practical reasons and not the romantic dream the poets make of it.”
    She eyed him thoughtfully. “I’d like to think it’s somewhere in the middle—not a dream, but not some practical ‘alliance’ either. I should hope one would have a genuine liking for one’s partner.”
    “And physical attraction, too.” He shot her a searching glance. “Or doesn’t that fit into your scheme?”
    She averted her gaze. “Physical attraction can lead one astray. My mother married my father because of it. Her parents wanted her to marrySydney’s wealthy father, but she eloped with his scapegrace best friend instead. Which turned out to be disastrous.” Her hands tightened on her reins. “A sensible woman should rely only on her… rational parts when choosing a husband.”
    Certainly a sensible woman should marry for more than the prestige of a title, which was all Alec could offer. Good thing she didn’t know that. “SoSydney’s money and respectable position are enough for you, Miss Marry-well.”
    “Stop calling me that.” A tiny frown knit her freckled brow. “I told you, Sydney and I are friends. He’ll make me a good companion. I understand him, and he understands me.”
    “Does he? Is that why you had to ask him to kiss you? Why he sat and sulked last night while another man flirted with you?”
    She glared at him. “I thought you didn’t want to talk aboutSydneywhen you and I were together.”
    True. But the way she held him in such high esteem needled Alec. He couldn’t figure out why. It certainly wasn’t jealousy. So why did he bring up the subject at every turn, like a child picking at a scab until it bled?
    Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to talk aboutSydney, anyway. I want to talk about you. How did you learn to ride so magnificently?”
    By God, she was like a dog with a bone. Wondering how to put her off, he jerked his gaze back to the road. Then he spotted a sign swinging on a building up ahead and relaxed.
    “Discussion of my riding will have to wait, sweetheart.” He gestured to the sign that readfreeman assembly rooms. “We’re here.”

Chapter Eight
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    Pave the way for your seduction with
    illicit touches.

    —Anonymous, A Rake’s Rhetorick

    Katherine followed Alec’s gaze. They had indeed arrived.
    But how strange that he would not discuss his riding. Most men loved to boast of their superior skills. By now, they would have thrice retold the story of how they’d rescued the fair damsel. Either Alec was inordinately modest… or he was hiding something. But what? And why? He was amazingly reticent about his years abroad—surely that wasn’t typical of world travelers. Unless, of course, most of his time abroad had been spent doing things no decent Englishwoman should know about. She colored. That was probably it.
    Alec leaped easily from his mare and tied it off before helping her dismount. But when her feet touched the ground, and he didn’t immediately release her, all her curiosity about his years abroad vanished. His warm hands on her waist stopped her breath in her throat, especially when he then fixed his gaze on her mouth with dark intent.
    Lord preserve her. Did he mean to claim his kiss here, in the street? She held her breath. Then his hands dropped away, and he offered her his arm. She took it, her heart thundering in her ears. She was glad he hadn’t kissed her—yes, glad. What wanton would allow a man to kiss her in public? And someone might see and tellSydney, incensing him enough to break with her. No, it wouldn’t have been wise.
    As they entered, a smartly dressed young woman thrust programs at them that read “A Gathering of New Poets” and directed them to a large room adjoining the