Tall, Dark and Disreputable by Deb Marlowe Page B

along exactly these lines, but do you think I would betray their memories so?’
    She waved a dismissive hand. ‘There is no betrayal between consenting adults. You don’t need an excuse, Mateo, a simple “No” will suffice.’
    He should let it go. Clearly she was ready to do so. But for some reason his mind kept scrabbling around and around the idea. ‘I only consider the gossip that would arise about you. We were raised as a family in spirit, if not in blood. Your opinion of me must be abysmal indeed if you think I would dishonour that tradition and treat you so shabbily.’ Oh, Dio . He greatly feared that he was trying to convince himself, not her.
    She looked at him squarely. ‘You are being dramatic again, Mateo. And you forget that I have been out in society a little. I did pay attention, you see. Married and widowed women have gentlemen admirers all the time.’
    ‘Is that what you want? A gentleman admirer?’ he asked bluntly. ‘Because your kiss told me that you are more interested in a lover.’
    She stiffened. Perhaps he should not have been so crude. But she straightened her shoulders and met his gaze. ‘And if I was? You are free and so am I. There would be nothing shameful in such a…relationship.’
    She put on a brave front, but he could see the start of tears swimming in the depth of her dark eyes. The sight caused his stomach to clench. ‘I do not mean to hurt you,’ he said gently. ‘It is more than evident that I desire you, cara . Perhaps it is because of our history, but I cannot regard you so casually.’ He took the risk and approached her again. He caught her hand. ‘It is not in me to love you and leave you,’ he said softly.
    She said nothing, only gazed up at him, hunger in her gaze.
    And a warning clanged sharply in his head. ‘No—itcould be nothing else. We’ve explored this avenue before, Portia.’
    ‘I know.’ He could barely hear the words.
    A sudden fear set him to say, ‘I am too restless for married life. You, of all people, should know that, Portia. I cannot even stand still for long! Nothing in my life has prepared me for such a thing. I would be abysmal at it.’
    ‘I don’t recall asking you,’ she snapped.
    He raised a brow.
    ‘A kiss!’ she nearly shouted. ‘I wanted a kiss. I’ve had it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But that is all.’ She wrenched away from him. ‘Men! A lady asks for an inch and they fear you mean to steal a mile!’
    Had he been wrong? ‘I am sorry,’ he said. Again.
    ‘Yes, I know,’ she said bitterly. ‘And you are not ready to be anything else. I understand. But all of this talk, if you ask me, is the true damned hum. We could have “dallied” seven times by now and no one would have been the wiser.’
    He let loose a short bark of laughter. ‘Of course they would. People know. They always do.’
    As if to prove his point, the attendant and a groom at that moment appeared in the courtyard outside, leading their mounts. Trying to silently convey the full weight of his regret, Mateo extended his hand and led her out to meet them.
    But when the groom had gone and they stood alone next to her restless mare, he gave in to temptation once more and touched that wayward lock curling so prettilyagainst her nape. ‘Can you see how a dalliance,’ he said quietly, ‘no matter how tempting, would not be wise?’
    She looked up at him, her brown eyes shining, but did not answer.
    ‘You have Stenbrooke to get back to and I must make haste back home. A quick finish to our business and then we must say goodbye once more.’ He wrapped his hands about her small waist and lifted her easily into the saddle. She hooked her leg over the pommel and settled in.
    It was then that the idea hit him.
    ‘Unless,’ he said suddenly, ‘unless you would consent to sign Cardea Shipping back over to me, right away? Before we track down this man who’s won your estate?’ He gripped her leg in his excitement. His mind raced with the possibility. ‘It