He’d shown how he could change her world. She was living in his mansion, sleeping in his bed, and eating his food. She didn’t have to worry about anything.
If ever there was a female who could benefit from an alliance with a rich, powerful male, it was she. But she didn’t understand the advantages, and it aggravated him that he had to point them out.
“Have you ever stopped to think,” he said, “how you could profit by a liaison with me?”
“I’m not a harlot, and I won’t accept compensation.”
“That’s not what I mean. If you would agree to please me while I’m at Stafford, I would—”
“How long will that be? A few more hours? A day or two?”
“I might be here a whole ’nother week.”
“I rest my case. Why should I surrender my virginity merely to satisfy your base urges?”
“Miss Wilson, you love my base urges. Admit it.”
“Don’t twist my words. You’re much too sophisticated at these sorts of games, and I refuse to play them with you.”
He wasn’t playing a game. He was suffering from a terrible attraction, and he wanted to act on it. Her life was all misery and gloom. Wouldn’t a torrid affair be just the ticket to improve her mood?
“Will you tell me something?” she asked. “Be serious for once.”
“I’ll be serious as a rabid dog.”
“Lord Stafford . . .”
“Call me Nicholas.”
“No.”
“Then I won’t listen to your question.”
She hemmed and hawed, then said, “Nicholas—”
He laughed and laughed. “You are so easy to manipulate.” He swooped in and stole a kiss. “What is it?”
“What will happen to me and my sisters? It was very kind of you to move us into the manor, but what are we to do next?”
He hadn’t considered it. He liked knowing that she was on the premises, that he might round a corner and see her down the hall. He’d even come to like the sound of her sisters careening down the grand staircase.
Though he had to return to London, he felt trapped in a magical spot where he could split into two pieces. One part of him would continue to dawdle at Stafford with Emeline, while the other part—his real self—would go back to the city, to his marriage and his career in the army.
What should happen to her? He had no idea.
“You’ll stay here,” he said.
“For how long?”
“For as long as you want.”
“People would be shocked.”
“So?”
“I care what they think of me.”
“You shouldn’t. I saw how you were treated that day I arrived. They don’t deserve your esteem, and you shouldn’t fret over their opinion. It seems to already be awfully low. I can’t imagine how you could push it any lower.”
“I’m respected in the community,” she insisted.
“If you say so.”
“I am!”
“Fine. You’re respected.” He shrugged, giving ground. “I noticed you’ve been wearing the dresses I bought you.”
“Yes, I have been.”
“Weren’t you adamantly opposed to accepting any gifts?”
“I changed my mind.”
“What about your lofty principles?”
“Evidently, I have none whatsoever.”
“You haven’t said thank you.”
“I won’t either. You’re too vain by half. Any expression of gratitude would make your head swell even further.”
He laughed again. He didn’t know why he put up with her or why she humored him so completely. He wouldn’t have tolerated churlishness in another, but with her, he was fascinated by how she viewed him.
When every other woman loved him, why didn’t she? The more she proclaimed her dislike, the more intent he was on reversing her attitude.
“You’ve been looking very fetching,” he told her.
“Don’t you dare compliment me.”
What female didn’t like flattery? What was her problem? As opposed to some of the praise he’d spewed in his life, with her he actually meant it.
“Why shouldn’t I compliment you?”
“Because—when you’re charming—you confuse me. I forget that I hate you.”
“We’ve been through this. You don’t hate me. You simply need to recollect how good we are together.”
He was tired of talking to her. If he wasn’t careful, she’d gab all night, and he’d never have the chance to do what he’d come to do.
He bent down and nuzzled her nape, gratified when goosebumps cascaded down her arms.
“Of all the clothes I purchased for you,” he said, “guess which item is my favorite.”
“Which one?”
“This robe you have on. It’s practically indecent how it hugs your curves.”
His fingers were busy, loosening the belt so he could nibble a trail to her cleavage. He dipped under the fabric and sucked a nipple into his mouth.
She hissed and arched up, and he was thrilled by her reaction. She was full of passion, but it was all misdirected. Her energy was never expended on tasks that mattered, on tasks that would bring her pleasure. If she became more selfish and less altruistic, she’d be happier for it; she’d be better off.
“Nicholas,” she murmured, and on hearing his name, his idiotic pulse galloped with delight.
“What?”
“Don’t hurt me. Swear that you won’t.”
“Hurt you?” he muttered. “Gad, I’d rather cut off my arm.”
“I’m so afraid of where this is leading.”
“There’s no need to be afraid.”
“You demand so many things from me, but I don’t know how to give them to you.”
“I’ll show you how.”
“Don’t break my heart. Promise me.”
“Of course I won’t. I promise.”
It was a dishonest reply, but he offered it anyway. On the battlefield, where death was always a possibility, his word was his bond. In all other endeavors, he was a deceitful scoundrel. In his sexual quests, he was no different than any other man. He would take what he wanted and damn the consequences.
He would persist in his relationship with her, but he still planned to leave Stafford at the earliest opportunity. If rumors spread after he was gone, he wouldn’t be around to defend her, and he wouldn’t come back to fix any damage he’d caused.
Marriage was the sole remedy that would make her whole, but it wasn’t one he could provide. He was engaged to another, and even if he wasn’t, she would never be the bride he would choose.
She
