Page 59 of The Duke and Lady Scandal
“I’m afraid it’s scandalous, what I’m about to propose.”
He arched one brow and smiled so quickly that she only caught the flash of it.
“I wish to hear it.” Leaning forward, he fixed his gaze on hers and reached for her hand. He wore no gloves and took full advantage of her bare skin, stroking his fingers inside the cup of her palm. “Tell me your scandalous proposal, Alexandra.”
“I want...”
He waited with admirable patience while she tried to find the words that had seemed so sensible in her mind. For the first time in her life, she wished her tendency to blurt her thoughts would take hold.
But it didn’t, and she had to think through each word.
“I don’t know when or if I’ll marry. I don’t even know if I want marriage, but I do want the rest of it.” She frowned. Too vague. “With you,” she clarified, and her heartbeat sped at the admission that mattered most. “Only with you.”
He bowed his head at that and when he looked at her again, his green eyes had darkened. His jaw had gone taut and square.
Oh heavens, had she misjudged what was between them? Or what could be?
“Unless you do not—”
He lifted her hand to his lips, kissed her knuckles, his breath hot against her skin, and then nipped the edge of her thumb.
“You needn’t worry on that score.” Stillhelooked worried. He’d drawn his brows together as he studied her face. “But your reputation.”
“We can be discreet.”
He smiled, this time letting it linger. “Nearly everything is revealed at some point, and I would not wish that judgement to fall upon you.”
She knew of ladies who did as they pleased—took lovers, published bawdy books, traveled the world. They were the exception and no doubt paid a price for their autonomy, but itwaspossible.
Her own sister aspired to such a life of choices and achievements that were hers alone.
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.” All things considered, she’d rather have a reputation as a lady who took a risk than as one who hadn’t ever stepped beyond the lines society drew for her. “Are you?”
He kissed her hand again, cupping it with both of his, and she thought she spied the hint of a smile playing at the edges of his mouth.
“A man who takes a lover risks very little. We both know society judges women differently.”
“Have you taken many?” It was a question she wanted to know the answer to, even if asking it made her a bit queasy.
“No. And none who I...” He seemed to get stuck on his next words. “The answer is no, but the truth is that I have never met anyone like you. Never felt the way I do when I am with you.”
Allie let out a breath, leaned forward, and laid her hand against his cheek. “We’re the same on that score.”
He gripped her hand with his own, turning his face to kiss her palm.
She hadn’t doubted her proposal, but now she knew she need not doubt his feelings either.
Just as she was about to reach for him, the carriage slowed. They were already pulling up to his address.
Chapter Thirteen
Allie squeezed Ben’s hand when the carriage finally rolled to a stop.
He paid the cabbie and then led her into the house. This time, they didn’t stop at the drawing room. He led her straight to his private room.
The spacious chamber encompassed two distinct areas, one he clearly used for work and one that contained a bed.
Ben moved to stand behind her and help her with her coat. He took both hers and his and laid them across a chair nearby.
