Princess Charming by Nicole Jordan

passion she’d felt, as was he. He throbbed with the primitive need to claim her for his own.
    Once again Ash marveled at her extraordinary effect on him. It wasn’t unusual that he would be captivated by a woman with Maura’s enchanting face and tempting body. But she had made him burn, despite her innocence and inexperience.
    “I won’t allow you to seduce me, Lord Beaufort,” she murmured as if to convince herself as much as him. “I am not so easily manipulated.”
    “I was not attempting to manipulate you, sweetheart,” he insisted truthfully.
    She cast him a skeptical glance. “No? Then I suppose you were intent on getting your way. I dared rejectyour offer of assistance, and you cannot bear to lose an argument. Either that, or you are merely amusing yourself with me.”
    He raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. “Why would you think so?”
    “Because you are a renowned rake who cares for nothing but his own pleasure.”
    The accusation was largely unfounded and prompted a swift denial from Ash. “I assure you, your pleasure is of much greater importance to me—as I could very easily show you.”
    That silenced her just as swiftly. Her blush deepening, Maura struggled to her feet and pointedly turned her back to him.
    Ash looked up at the sky, pondering the irony with self-deprecating amusement. Women had always eagerly welcomed his attentions, nearly swooning at the promise of becoming his lover. So why was he interested in pursuing the one woman who didn’t?
    His feeling of possessiveness with Maura was singular. He had no claim to her—not yet, at any rate. But in a very short time, he’d become allied to her cause.
    Reminded of the major issue between them, Ash resumed their earlier conversation. “I am involved in your fight now, whether you like it or not, Maura. In fact, I am determined to defeat Deering now, not merely for your own sake but just on general principle. He needs to be taught a lesson.”
    She remained silent as she went to her horse. After gathering her reins, Maura glanced back at him. “So what do you advise me to do?” she asked quite unexpectedly. “I mean, given this morning’s fresh disaster, how am I to prevail over him?”
    “I haven’t decided yet,” Ash answered candidly. “I need some time to think on it.”
    She took a deep breath. “Very well, then. You win.”
    His gaze arrested. “What have I won?” he asked cautiously.
    “You may help me fight Deering.”
    Her apparent capitulation more than surprised Ash. “What brought about this sudden change of heart?”
    Maura shrugged. “I realized that you are right. There is no use in crying over what cannot be changed. I have to move forward. Indeed, I should be thanking you for your help, my lord. I promise I will listen if you think of a plan. But for now, I need to return home. My stepmother will be livid about this morning’s spectacle in the park. Will you please give me a leg up?”
    She stood patiently waiting as Ash got to his feet and dusted off his breeches. And when he joined her, she gave him back the handkerchief he had loaned her. She seemed quite calm, but he was leery of her odd reaction, for she had given in much too easily. When he eyed Maura suspiciously, though, she gave him a wan smile.
    The uneasy feeling in his gut continued as he set her on her horse and mounted his own. Even so, Ash argued with himself, the fact that Maura rarely acted as expected was a large part of her appeal, and precisely why she might make him a good match. She would forever keep him intrigued.
    She could also hold her own with him, when most women couldn’t. In that respect, she was like all the females in the Wilde clan—strong, independent, and sharp-witted. She would be a handful to deal with, but a fascinating challenge for the right man.
    And he could be that right man.
    Perhaps Katharine was not completely mad in urging him to pursue his classic lover’s tale, Ash decided thoughtfully. Legend had it that