Page 7 of Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November

“I can resist three, and if I do, I want a quarter hour with you. Alone.”

Her heart thudded in her chest, and she swallowed. “To do what?”

He looked down at her, his lovely eyes full of promise. “I can’t tell you all my secrets. I can promise that I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want.”

“Fine.” Her voice sounded a little higher pitched than she would have liked. “And the fourth prize—not that I think you will ever claim it.”

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “A night in your bed.”

Her throat went dry as she imagined tousled sheets and the naked form of Munro Notley positioned above her. And under her. And behind her…

“All night,” he continued, his breath tickling her ear. “To do whatever I want with you.”

“And if I want you to stop?”

“You won’t,” he promised. “You’ll beg me not to stop. You’ll sayplease, Munro. Don’t stop.”

She could well believe it, and she had to close her eyes and summon the strength to resist grabbing his lapels right then and there and shoving him against the nearest shop and kissing that wicked mouth of his.

“You’ll finally know if the rumors are true,” he said as they walked slowly forward. Beatrice had completely lost sight of Lavinia. She barely remembered the girl existed.

“What rumors?”

“About my cock,” he said, leaning close again. “And the ornament I’ve supposedly added.”

She glanced up at him, trying to read his expression. Was that rumor true? Had he pierced his male member? He raised a brow in challenge, and she looked away. She recognized the corner. They were almost back at Notley House.

“You said five temptations,” he reminded her. “That means I have one more prize to claim.”

“If you insist with this fiction, I’ll play along. Suppose you manage to resist five temptations.”

“Proving, once and for all, I’m no rake.” They strolled past the park in the center of Berkeley Square.

“Yes. If you manage such a feat—”

“WhenI pass your tests and put an end to this nefarious scheme, I want your hand in marriage.”

She halted and shook her head. “No. I decided I will never marry again. Think of another prize. Two nights in my bed perhaps?”

He turned to her, his tawny eyes drawing her in and making her forget for a moment the group of children and their governess playing with a ball on the grass nearby.

“I want all the nights in your bed, Beatrice. I lost you once. I don’t want to lose you again.”

She shook her head.

“If you don’t think I’ll pass your tests, then what’s the harm in agreeing?” he asked.

“I can think of quite a lot of harm. I don’t trust you.”

“That’s why you devised the temptations. You’ll trust me after I pass each.” He held up a hand. “Don’t decide now. Think about it for a day.”

She nodded and allowed him to lead her to the door of the town house. She had her own house in a less fashionable area of Town, one not quite as expensive, but Judith had asked her to stay at Notley House for a few weeks so she might assist with all the wedding preparations. She turned to bid Munro good day as she assumed he would return to his hotel, but he ushered her into the foyer of the town house. Whereupon she was greeted with a stack of trunks and valises and several footmen trying to manage the luggage.

“What’s all this?” she asked Frobisher, who appeared to take her parasol, hat, and gloves.

“Mr. Notley’s luggage, madam.” The butler turned his attention to Munro. “Your chamber is almost ready, sir.”

Beatrice rounded on Munro. “You are moving in? You’re staying here?”

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