‘That was different,’ she evaded his eyes.
‘What was different about it?’ He searched through his jacket pocket, removing a cheroot and lighting it with obvious pleasure. ‘The only difference I can see is that this time it would have been me who knew nothing about it.’
‘Exactly.’ Kate began tidying the bedclothes to hide her embarrassment. ‘I don’t happen to be the sort of girl who can get into bed with a man just because it’s my bed he happens to be asleep in—even if he is unconscious and incapable.’
‘Mm, I don’t think I was incapable when I arrived here last night. I just wish I could remember more about it.’
‘You aren’t missing anything by not knowing, you were just more insulting than usual, that’s all.’
‘And I didn’t ask you to marry me?’
‘No,’ she said firmly.
‘Well, that’s what I came here for. I’d just downed half a bottle of whisky and had been trying to decide whether to drink the other half or come over here and tell you I’d give in to your demand for a wedding ring. The fresh air on top of the whisky must have put the thought of marriage right out of my head.’
‘Is that all marriage means to you, a demand for a wedding ring?’
‘With you it does.’ His look was grim. ‘You seem to find a gold band the main attraction, and as I have to have you, no matter what the price, that’s what I shall give you. Besides a large settlement at the end of the marriage, no doubt,’ he added cynically.
‘You aren’t expecting it to last.’ His idea of marriage cut into her like a knife. If she had ever, in her girlhood dreams, thought of a proposal from this man it had never been like this, a wedding ring the price to be paid for her body.
‘Are you?’ His eyes were narrowed. ‘In this day and age, with fifty per cent of marriages ending in divorce, I don’t think a marriage based on lust and greed has a chance in hell of surviving. But it might be fun for a few weeks, maybe months.’
‘What happened to this once-in-a-lifetime love of the Savage men?’ she scoffed.
He shrugged. ‘It must have passed me by. So, when do you want to get married?’
‘You haven’t asked me yet.’
Damien frowned darkly. ‘Do I need to?’
‘Oh, I think so. It’s the usual practice, isn’t it?’
‘Maybe, but I wouldn’t say anything about this is usual. Oh, okay, if that’s what you want! Will you marry me?’
Kate felt sure it wasn’t the most gracious of proposals ever made, but nevertheless it was a proposal, and from the man she loved. But he didn’t love her and he made no pretence that he did! He wanted her body enough to marry her to get it.
Maybe love would grow. It had happened before. Maybe through the closer relationship they would share through marriage Damien would learn to love her. She knew she ought to say no to his proposal, that it really was the right answer to make, and yet she wanted so much to say yes to him.
She loved him, surely she deserved the chance to make him fall in love with her. Surely she had that right. And if it didn’t work out at least she would have tried.
‘Do you—do you care for me at all?’ she asked tentatively.
His look was bitter. ‘You surely don’t expect a declaration of love out of me as well as a proposal! Haven’t I subjugated myself enough for one day?’
‘So you don’t care for me?’ Her shoulders slumped.
‘I want you, isn’t that enough?’
‘I suppose it will have to be.’ Kate had known from the first what her answer would be. She could do no other than marry the man she loved, no matter how it turned out.
‘Do I take it your answer is yes?’
‘You do.’
‘Right. Well, if you’ll show me where the bathroom is I’ll have a wash and freshen myself up.’
She hoped her disappointment at his businesslike manner didn’t show. She had expected him to at least kiss her, to show in some way that he approved of the most vital decision she had ever made in her life. But he said nothing, did nothing, smoking the last of his cheroot and looking broodingly handsome as he waited for her directions.
She picked up his shirt and threw it at him. ‘Here, put this on. I don’t want you wandering about half-naked with Josie about.’
He gave a throaty chuckle at her anger. ‘I’ll tame that temper of yours once I’ve made you mine,’ he promised.
‘I wouldn’t count on it,’ she returned.
‘Oh, but I am. I’m looking forward to it, in fact. Now, the bathroom?’
Kate moodily showed him the way, handing him a clean towel. ‘You can use my ladyshave if you like. The electricity socket is next to the cabinet.’
‘Thanks.’ He bent to kiss her softly on the tip of her nose. ‘Now unless you want your flatmate to come in here and find us showering together I suggest you leave the bathroom.’
She hurried away, angry that he could still unnerve her with his mockery. She had just agreed to marry him and yet she hardly knew him. Would her love be enough, or would it be used as a weapon against her once he discovered its existence? She had the idea that Damien would use her love if he ever knew of it.
But there was no reason why he should know, not unless he looked as if he might be beginning to care for her in return. She was going to marry Damien Savage! It was unbelievable. But it wasn’t going to be easy. Damien could be a hard, cruel man, and he had the power to hurt her so easily.
But she had to take that risk. Damien could give her hell on earth, but he could also give her heaven. And she loved him enough to take that chance. He couldn’t really
