Page 48 of Pride: The Rogue
“It’s just, I’d originally been impressed by your ability to apologize, Lachlan,” she said wryly. “In our short time together, however, I’ve determined you’ve probably a good dealexperience with being in the wrong and as such perfected the art of mea culpa.”
“You’d be surprised,” he mumbled.
“Implying you haven’t?” Amusement filled her. “Yes, yes, I would be surprised indeed, by that discovery.”
He’d made so many assumptions this night about her. That together, with his volatility deemed him undeserving of any further revelations her.
“You can have the bedroom,” he said gruffly.
Livian cocked her head.
“It occurs to me the reason you’ve indulged me as much as you have, is you’re kind of stuck with me.” Reaching inside his jacket, he withdrew the key and slid it across the table. “You can have the room and are free to use it, with a promise I’m not going to enter, darlin’.”
She stared dumbly at the old brass key.
Panic set in. He was leaving.
He was also, offering her his rooms. That’s what should matter most. No, that isallthat should matter.
Only, as he pushed his chair back and made to stand, she spoke on a rush.
“That’s not why I’m talking to you!”
Unlike before when he’d been rash to hurl opinions, this time, he waited for her to explain.
To give her fingers something to do, Livian took the key. She made a show of examining the metal piece, before lifting her eyes back to his.
She set the key down.
“I’ve…enjoyed speaking with you,” she admitted. She’d never been one to blush. For some reason, she found herself in a perpetual blush with this man. “Peers and lofty gentlemen, I don’t know how to comfortably talk with, but you…you are easy to speak to.”
He snorted. “Said no one ever.”
Livian’s lips twitched. “Said me, now.” Her smile slipped. “Noblemen? They judge women—all women; even the well-born ladies, and especially those born outside their elevated ranks. And when this journey is complete, the manner of man I’ll find myself marrying.”
Lachlan drew her back from her bereft musings. “When it comes to men passing judgement, I wouldn’t say I’ve been guilt free this night.”
“No, but you’re a man who is likemeand it feels so nice to be with you.”
His expression grew shuttered.
She ran her eyes over his face. “You believe I’m wrong.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t need to. Though, I appreciate you did not rush forth a denial, even though you clearly believe there to be one.” She bowed her head.
He inclined his.
“Well?” she prodded.
“Now, you want me to venture my opinions?” Lachlan shook his head sardonically. “Darlin’ you’re as contrary as they come.”
Darlin’. The low, languid, way he spoke that endearment did strange things to the rhythm of her heart.
She dropped her elbows back on the table and stretched herself as far as she could toward him.
“Given the ease with which you drop your opinions, I’d expect you’d relish the opportunity to tell me exactly what you’re thinking.”
