To Marry a Marquess by Teresa McCarthy Page A

the tray, and before she knew it, he had her in his arms, depositing her on a soft-tufted chair near the glowing hearth. "Warmer now?"
    Victoria gasped. "You take your liberties too far, Lord Drakefield."
    She narrowed her eyes as she followed his long purposeful strides back toward the brandy glass. Then he laughed and started toward her. "At least we're getting somewhere by calling me by name."
    "That is debatable." She pressed her lips together and glared at him.
    But as he closed the distance between them, the devilish gleam in his eye unnerved her so much that she jumped out of the chair and accidentally knocked the brandy all over his cravat. She threw her hands to her face in horror as the liquid dripped down the white fabric and his waistcoat.
    "Direct hit, my dear." He dabbed at his clothes with a white handkerchief, stuffing the cloth back into his waistcoat pocket.
    Victoria stood, staring in shock at what she had done.
    He peered up at her, his gray eyes gleaming with challenge. "Does that mean you are daring to refuse the drink, or is it me you abhor?"
    You, of course.
    "Very well then," he said with a narrowed gaze, as if hearing her very thoughts. "You are going to freeze to death in that... that flimsy gown. Your shoulders are quivering and your teeth are rattling. I will not have you ill. Confound it, woman! You led me on a merry chase after Nightham's death, and now you can hardly stand or speak without shaking!"
    She wrapped her arms around her chest. The thought of Lord Nightham and that horrid night brought tears to her eyes. "If you will take your leave, I will take the drink."
    "The devil, I will. The drink is nothing more than a medicinal beverage to warm you. I daresay, it is not a ploy to have you foxed. Take it now, so we can have our little talk."
    He pushed the brandy beneath her nose, but she refused by twisting her head aside.
    "Minx," he chided, wrapping one hand around her waist and pulling her to him. "Warmer?"
    Victoria shook her head no. But in fact, she felt much warmer than she ever wanted to be. He smelled of fine soap and brandy, sending her senses soaring.
    "Your teeth are still clacking like horses' hooves." His voice whispered along her neck as he rubbed her quivering shoulders. "I assure you it is in your best interest to stay warm."
    The mere touch of his fingers sent a smoldering shiver through her veins. "I am feeling much better," she said softly. "Thank you."
    He paused, then pulled her closer to the fire. "I'm not going to tell my father about your flight with Nightham, if that's what's worrying you."
    Warily, she looked up to find his gaze intent upon her face. At that precise moment, she felt a subtle, but fragile thread begin to grow between them.
    "That is, unless you give me pause to do otherwise."
    He took hold of her shoulders, and her breath came to a screeching halt. He seemed to recognize her reaction to him, and his lips curved upward into an unconscious smile. "You must trust me on this. Can you do that?"
    "Trust you?" she repeated in a suffocating whisper. To put her family's future totally in this man's hands? She shook her head. "No, I can't do that."
    He lifted her chin with the tip of his fingers. "Yes, you can," he said in a silky voice and lowered his head, capturing her lips with his. The kiss was oddly gentle, shooting a fiery heat along her skin. He leaned his head back and stared at her.
    "I have wanted to kiss you since the first time I saw you at the inn." His warm breath fanned her cheeks as he gently took her face in his hands. "You must have driven Nightham mad."
    The tenderness of his touch began to crack her protective shield. His dark gaze searched her face, and he kissed her again. Her mind said no, but her heart said yes. She did not want to resist him. Like a magical spell, she felt herself sway into him while the room seemed to tilt and spin beneath her.
    "What the blazes is going on here?"
    "William!" Victoria jumped back and turned toward