Page 42 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
Charmed, Harriet leaned her cheek into his hold, and playfully quipped, “Why, my Dear Sir, you flatter me.”
“Playing coquettish, hm?”
Slim fingers slid into his hair, and the pads of her fingers dug softly into his scalp. An almost inaudible rumble came from his chest, making Harriet smile.
“They said I’d never marry,” her voice was calm. “That my prospects were slim to none. That no lord would want to marry a woman who is more of a Lord than he is—that I’d grow old and die a bluestocking and alone.”
It took Daniel a moment to catch on, “Is that why you’re so set on being wicked? If you can’t have it the right way, you’d have it the other?”
Harriet shrugged, “Back then, it seemed the only way to me.”
“And now?” Daniel asked, his eyes skimming over her face, “What about now?”
“I cannot say,” Harriet replied, “I’m still mostly set on the liaison with Dawson if anything.”
“Mostly,” Daniel quoted. “Which means there is a fraction that does not. Where is that subsection leading to?”
To reconsidering what I told myself was best for me.
“I have many things to consider, including how I will proceed after our engagement is broken. I am still mystified about why Lord Carrington would insult my sister, and I feel pressed to help you with your Mother,” Harriet replied as she moved from his lap to retake her seat, and crossed her tucked her ankles together.
While she was speaking, Harriet knew she was lightly skirting around the issue about her mind's undecided part. And she could see that Daniel had caught on to it. Her hope that he wouldn’t speak on it, was dashed in the next moment.
“You haven’t answered my question, Harriet,” Daniel prodded. “Why is a part of you undecided?”
Unwilling to admit that a part of her—a vain sliver of hope—was starting to think that after all her training, there would be a respectful future for her.
“Because I am starting to worry if Dawson will see through my actions and see that I am a naïf,” Harriet replied. “If he is the seasoned rakehell that you claim…”
“That he’sknownto be,” Daniel interjected.
“then he’ll laugh at me.”
Shaking his head, Daniel muttered, “If you think that him laughing at you will be the worst of it, clearly those books have both corrupted you and blinded you to the truth of it all.”
“Rather, I think they’ve opened my eyes,” Harriet replied. “That women are deserving of passion and desire. Do you know that one of my schoolmistresses said, that when we ladies did marry and that on the night of the marriage bed, lay down, close your eyes and imagine yourself away—walking in Hyde Park or going to the dressmaker for a new stretch of lace,” she snorted. “Can you imagine such an outrageous thing? Lace shopping on the night of your marriage?”
Daniel fought a smile, “That is absurd, but that does not subtract from the fact that if this affair is found out, you will be labeled as a fallen woman. Have you thought that one night of daring could affect the rest of your life? The shame it would bring on your family by extension.”
If he had aimed that comment as a bullet to strike her between her eyes, he had miscalculated. Harriet had already considered that. “I know, but the heart desires what the heart desires. If there is shame, so be it.”
His stare was hard and piercing, “You are the most puzzling woman I have ever met in my life. Most would want to elevate their status, not debase it.”
“Consider yourself fortunate,” Harriet replied. “You’ve met the one to outdo them all.”
Raking a hand through his hair, Daniel shook his head, “What will it take to change your mind?”
Harriet was looking contemplative for a moment, “Aside from a miracle, nothing.”
Daniel sagged into his seat with a muted curse leaving his lips.
* * *
At home, Harriet, again, found it hard to sleep, and once more, Lord Carrington found her in the music room, but this time he brought wine.
“It’s my precious elderberry wine.” Antony offered her a glass. “The best of a five-year-old old batch, sweet Lisbon sugar, Jamaican peppers, and the driest gingers. My mother always said it was a cure for every ailment on this God-given land. Perhaps it will help you sleep.”
“Thank you,” Harriet said, as she took the glass. A sip had her mouth bursting with strong flavor. “Oh my, that is strong!”
