The Rogue's Proposal by Jennifer Haymore Page A

you.”

Chapter Six
    L uke had never been to Edinburgh, but it was a beautiful, burgeoning city. He grinned
     at Emma’s exuberance as she pointed out the sights to him—Edinburgh Castle and St.
     Mary’s Cathedral and Holyrood Palace.
    She navigated him through the streets to Cameron’s Hotel—an elegant building with
     a colonnaded entry and a marble hall adorned with gilded furnishings and crystal chandeliers.
    He was weary of country inns. The spoiled-duke’s-son part of him longed for a full,
     linen-lined bath and a five-course meal. A velvet-cushioned sofa and an enormous,
     comfortable bed with silk curtains.
    The hotelier had given Emma a letter, and she clutched the missive in her hand as
     they entered their room. Neither of them spoke until the servants left them alone.
    Emma, of course, was no stranger to opulence. Her father had been rich enough to quit
     his involvement in trade and spend his golden years enjoying the leisurely life of
     a gentleman. He’d given his daughters the best educations and Seasons in London.
    Luke unbuttoned his coat and laid it over one of the chair backs. She untied her bonnet
     and hung it, then sank down into one of the gilded armchairs to open the letter.
    Alone with Emma. Again. Was there a sweeter torture in the world?
    Definitely not, he thought wryly, watching her avid expression as she read her letter.
     Within a few moments, she glanced up at him.
    “From Jane?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “How is your father?”
    She sighed. “The same. But he seems to lose more interest in the world at large daily.”
    “I’m sorry.” He paused. Then, “Do you think that would change if his fortune was returned
     to him?”
    “I hope so. He did so love his fortune. I think…” She took a deep breath, then continued.
     “I think it was the only thing he truly loved in this world after my mother died.
     He was so proud of it, of what doors it had opened for us. And when he lost it, it
     seemed he also lost every last ounce of joy he’d ever possessed.”
    He offered her one of the apples from the bowl left on the small sideboard. She folded
     the letter and laid it on the table, then took the apple with a smile and bit into
     it with a crisp crunch.
    No, there was definitely no sweeter torture than being alone with Emma, Luke decided,
     watching her lick apple juice from her lips.
    He gazed at her, watching her eat, feeling his cock stir—something he’d grown accustomed
     to these past several days in her company. He was accustomed to it, but it didn’t
     make it any less painful.
    She didn’t want him downstairs drowning himself in drink, but what the hell choice
     did he have? Staying with her was far more dangerous.
    She looked up at him, oblivious and innocent. He’d never thought a married woman could
     be so innocent, but he was wrong. Outwardly Emma appeared self-composed and calm,
     and she was certainly no fool, but she was so naïve.
    He shifted his feet, turning away slightly to adjust himself to relieve the pressure
     against his falls.
    “Are you ready for tomorrow?” she asked.
    “Of course. Are you?”
    She hesitated, then said softly, “In a way, I’ve been ready for it for a year. In
     another way I’ll never be ready.”
    He took the seat beside her, grabbing one of the apples for himself. It was shiny
     and red, and when he bit into it, sweetness burst over his tongue. He looked at the
     apple in surprise, turning it over in his hand.
    “Good, isn’t it?”
    “Very.”
    They crunched for a few moments, then he said, “You know, we might find nothing. Macmillan
     might not be here. He might not even exist…”
    “I know,” she sighed.
    “And if he does, he might not have any information for us, even if he’s willing to
     talk to us.”
    “He is the only clue we have,” she said. “And I truly believe he’ll lead us to Morton.”
    “I hope so. For your family’s sake.”
    “And for yours.”
    He laid his head on the chair back