Page 6 of Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November

She blew out a breath. “Please don’t pretend you have no memory of our discussion last night.”

“I admit, I over imbibed. The evening is a jumble.”

Not for her. Being this close to him, feeling his warmth and catching the scent of oranges and bergamot she’d always associated with him, made her a bit lightheaded—that and the memory of him splayed seductively on the chaise longue of the retiring room. Was it wrong that she’d wanted to straddle him right then and there?

“Allow me to remind you,” she said. “You said you wanted to marry me.”

He shook his head. “That doesn’t sound at all like something I would say.”

“I must have you confused with another red-headed rake who claims he has reformed his ways.”

“Ihavereformed.”

“Then prove it.”

Munro paused and turned to her. “How might I prove it? I gave you my word—”

She waved a hand. “Words mean nothing. Solomon gave me his word too, and then he proceeded to sample the charms of every actress, opera singer, and courtesan in greater London.”

She saw the spark of something in Munro’s eyes, and the yellow-brown eyes went dark. Was he angry on her behalf?

“I am not Solomon Barnet. If you were mine—” He shook his head, and she had the urge to shake him so he might complete the sentence.

“If you really mean that, then prove it by passing my tests.”

“Tests? What madness is this?”

“Sir, we must keep walking or Lavinia will be out of sight.”

He sighed and started walking again. “Tell me about your tests,” he said. The noise of the carriages on Bond Street caused him to lean close so she might hear him.

“They are not so much tests as temptations. If you agree to this…” She paused, trying to think of the appropriate word.

“Scheme?” he offered.

“Yes. If you agree to my scheme, I will present you with five temptations. You won’t know when they will occur or in what form they will take. If you pass all five, then I will consider you reformed, and we might discuss a future between us.”

For twenty or more steps, Munro said nothing. Finally, he said, “I’m willing to consider this…nefariousscheme, but I need a reward.”

“I told you—”

“A reward each time I pass a test,” he clarified.

Beatrice narrowed her eyes. “What sort of reward?”

“A prize I might claim from you,” he said.

“You call my scheme nefarious, but you’re the one making everything wicked. I can only imagine what sorts of prizes you have in mind.” And the thought made her shiver in anticipation and half hope he might pass on the temptations she laid before him. He pulled her closer as they moved through a crowd on the sidewalk.

“I’ll tell you, about my prizes” he said, nodding to a well-dressed woman passing with her maid behind her. “If I pass the first test, you will accompany me on an outing.”

“What sort of outing? It must be public.”

He shrugged. “Fine. But the second prize is a kiss, and that should be very much in private.”

She took a breath as her belly trembled at the thought of kissing him. She’d kissed him before, years ago when he had been courting her. She remembered how soft his lips were and how he’d pulled her close and made her feel like the only woman in the world.

“I doubt you will ever claim that prize. You believe you can resist two temptations?”

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