there is
no reason to joke about it.”
His mouth quirked. “I don’t consider matrimony a joking matter, I assure you. I was
merely making a theoretical observation.” He exhaled in a dramatic sigh. “It shouldn’t
surprise me that you are willing to overlook Dunmore’s shortcomings. A dukedom and
fortune can overcome myriad personal flaws.”
“I won’t deny those are advantages. But becoming his duchess would allow me to give
my parents the financial security they crave. Additionally, I could do a lot of good
for unwed mothers like our formermaid, Martha. Besides, many couples have less in common. If I wed his grace, I am
determined to make the best of our marriage.”
Her reasoning brought no counterargument from him, yet he did have a point, Sophie
acknowledged. To be honest, she had much more in common with Lord Jack. Certainly
they were closer in age. And she couldn’t deny the delicious chemistry between them.
To say he was different from the duke was a vast understatement. Lord Jack was clever
and quick-witted, with a magnetism that was enormously appealing. She enjoyed his
banter and his sense of humor. What was more, she could laugh with him.
She had to admit also that his interest in her was supremely flattering. She had never
had a suitor who cared to learn her thoughts and opinions. Certainly the duke was
drawn more by her physical appearance than her mind. In contrast, Lord Jack had encouraged
her to talk about her childhood, her family, her hopes and dreams, even though he
hadn’t reciprocated.…
She was about to ask him about his own upbringing when she suddenly became aware of
the passing time. The sun rising above the treetops suggested it was at least nine
o’clock.
With a sigh, Sophie gathered the remains of their breakfast, stoppering the flask
and folding the cloth that had held the crumpets. “I must return to the house to be
with my aunt’s guests,” she said reluctantly.
As she made to rise, Lord Jack reached out to catch her hand. “Don’t go yet.”
“I must.”
She greatly regretted having to end their pleasurablerendezvous. Yet he wouldn’t release her hand, nor did he shift his position where
he lay on the blanket. “I will let you go, but first I demand a kiss.”
She smiled down at him. “You are hardly in a position to make demands.”
“On the contrary. A kiss is my price for keeping our tryst secret.”
“There you go again, attempting to blackmail me. You are deplorable.”
“No doubt.”
His fingers closing more tightly around hers, he rolled onto his side and gently tugged
her down to lie on the blanket opposite him.
They lay facing each other with their gazes locked, barely breathing. There it was
again—that intimate awareness between them. The connection she had never felt with
any other man, along with a jolt of desire so strong it made her shiver.
“Darling Sophie …”
How did he make her name sound like a caress? And how did he have such a powerful
effect on her?
“You have a lovely mouth, sweet Sophie. Let me taste you.”
She wanted to taste him also, she thought as her gaze dropped to his mouth. He was
so close, she was sure he could feel the longing thrumming through her body.
While she deliberated, he brought her hand to his cheekbone. Without conscious thought,
she touched his face in return, exploring the chiseled contours, the stubble of morning
whiskers on his jaw, the firm lips.…
At his murmur of approval, she lifted her gaze tohis again, to the dark eyes fringed with heavy lashes. His eyes were so beautiful.
The dancing lights in the inky depths were mesmerizing.
Why did he captivate her so? Every time he touched her, she felt a sudden, sharp leap
of hunger deep inside her. And she was woman enough to recognize the heated sparks
in his eyes. He wanted her, she was certain of it.
But he was leaving the decision to her.
She really had no choice, though. She
no reason to joke about it.”
His mouth quirked. “I don’t consider matrimony a joking matter, I assure you. I was
merely making a theoretical observation.” He exhaled in a dramatic sigh. “It shouldn’t
surprise me that you are willing to overlook Dunmore’s shortcomings. A dukedom and
fortune can overcome myriad personal flaws.”
“I won’t deny those are advantages. But becoming his duchess would allow me to give
my parents the financial security they crave. Additionally, I could do a lot of good
for unwed mothers like our formermaid, Martha. Besides, many couples have less in common. If I wed his grace, I am
determined to make the best of our marriage.”
Her reasoning brought no counterargument from him, yet he did have a point, Sophie
acknowledged. To be honest, she had much more in common with Lord Jack. Certainly
they were closer in age. And she couldn’t deny the delicious chemistry between them.
To say he was different from the duke was a vast understatement. Lord Jack was clever
and quick-witted, with a magnetism that was enormously appealing. She enjoyed his
banter and his sense of humor. What was more, she could laugh with him.
She had to admit also that his interest in her was supremely flattering. She had never
had a suitor who cared to learn her thoughts and opinions. Certainly the duke was
drawn more by her physical appearance than her mind. In contrast, Lord Jack had encouraged
her to talk about her childhood, her family, her hopes and dreams, even though he
hadn’t reciprocated.…
She was about to ask him about his own upbringing when she suddenly became aware of
the passing time. The sun rising above the treetops suggested it was at least nine
o’clock.
With a sigh, Sophie gathered the remains of their breakfast, stoppering the flask
and folding the cloth that had held the crumpets. “I must return to the house to be
with my aunt’s guests,” she said reluctantly.
As she made to rise, Lord Jack reached out to catch her hand. “Don’t go yet.”
“I must.”
She greatly regretted having to end their pleasurablerendezvous. Yet he wouldn’t release her hand, nor did he shift his position where
he lay on the blanket. “I will let you go, but first I demand a kiss.”
She smiled down at him. “You are hardly in a position to make demands.”
“On the contrary. A kiss is my price for keeping our tryst secret.”
“There you go again, attempting to blackmail me. You are deplorable.”
“No doubt.”
His fingers closing more tightly around hers, he rolled onto his side and gently tugged
her down to lie on the blanket opposite him.
They lay facing each other with their gazes locked, barely breathing. There it was
again—that intimate awareness between them. The connection she had never felt with
any other man, along with a jolt of desire so strong it made her shiver.
“Darling Sophie …”
How did he make her name sound like a caress? And how did he have such a powerful
effect on her?
“You have a lovely mouth, sweet Sophie. Let me taste you.”
She wanted to taste him also, she thought as her gaze dropped to his mouth. He was
so close, she was sure he could feel the longing thrumming through her body.
While she deliberated, he brought her hand to his cheekbone. Without conscious thought,
she touched his face in return, exploring the chiseled contours, the stubble of morning
whiskers on his jaw, the firm lips.…
At his murmur of approval, she lifted her gaze tohis again, to the dark eyes fringed with heavy lashes. His eyes were so beautiful.
The dancing lights in the inky depths were mesmerizing.
Why did he captivate her so? Every time he touched her, she felt a sudden, sharp leap
of hunger deep inside her. And she was woman enough to recognize the heated sparks
in his eyes. He wanted her, she was certain of it.
But he was leaving the decision to her.
She really had no choice, though. She
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