Page 36 of A Translation of Desire
Rose scoffed. “That is an awful way to refer to my virginity and a hypocritical stance. Men do as they like. Unless you are a virgin yourself.”
Annoyance joined the lust swirling within him, but he moved away from her, needing space before he pushed Rose onto the table and feasted upon her. “I don’t make the rules.”
Her chin jutted out. “I don’t follow them.”
The corner of his mouth tilted up. No, she didn’t, but he did. “That is where we differ.”
She frowned. “What is so dishonorable about being my first lover?”
He looked at her in disbelief, and Rose sighed. “Truly, you’ve never been any lady’s first.”
“We would be married if I were. Do you want that, Rose?” he said, knowing she didn’t.
Her eyes flashed with annoyance. “Do you not see the absurdity in what you are saying?”
Augustus did, but also understood thetonand what would happen, not to him, but to an innocent lady he was found to be involved with. It wasn’t his reputation that would suffer but hers, and he would not, could not, do that.
“There are rules I must abide by.”
She snorted and said, “Well, fear not. I’m not heartbroken. You are not the first man I’ve had an attraction to. It won’t interfere with any of our dealings. I don’t want you to worry about the silly woman who propositioned you in a kitchen.”
He frowned at her, hating her words. Augustus walked back to her, tilting her chin up. “We will both make sure it doesn’t affect our dealings, but do not walk away thinking if I weren’t a duke and not concerned about your reputation, I wouldn’t gladly ravish you.”
Augustus knew he shouldn’t have said the words because the room became filled with thick tension and desire, but for somereason, he needed her to know that what she felt wasn’t one-sided.
“You shouldn’t say such tempting things, duke,” she said, her voice trembling with heated emotion.
He stepped back. “Go to bed, Rose.”
They stared at each other quietly. Finally, Rose performed an exaggerated curtsy, alleviating some of the tension. “Good night, Your Grace.”
He shook his head. “Good evening.”
Augustus listened to her quiet footsteps across Derry Hall until he couldn’t hear them anymore. Instead of leaving, he sank into one of the chairs and sighed. He’d done the right thing, but still, it felt wrong. Sometimes, his title felt heavier, and tonight was one of those moments.
Chapter Twelve
Rose sat inthe breakfast room, thinking about the previous evening. She’d offered to have an affair with Augustus. Her cheeks warmed as she remembered him turning her down. The situation had been a complete embarrassment.
Her eyes darted around the table, feeling as if all those around her could guess what she was thinking about, but no one seemed to pay her any attention. What had she been thinking, propositioning a duke? Her blush deepened because she imagined most ladies who spent time with him were much better at coquettish games than she was.
No, even if she hadn’t come out and confessed she was an innocent, her actions made it evident. She had no experience being someone’s lover. Yes, she kissed a few men, but to date, she hadn’t had a single interlude, and it wasn’t because she prized her virginity. She wanted her first time to be with someone she respected.
But a duke was a preposterous option, especially one who was on a bride hunt. The best option was to put the whole lovers situation out of her head. She could do that. Augustus wasn’t so special. When she desired to find a companion, she would. The Duke of Sinclair would be her friend and associate only. It was that simple.
She bit her lip, wishing he wasn’t so bloody handsome. Still, she reassured herself that anyone would be attracted to him. Rose could put her feelings towards him aside. She glanced upto find the man she was thinking about standing in the doorway, staring at her intently. His gaze shot heat down her body.Ugh!She turned away as Lisbeth and their hostess walked into the room laughing. Sinclair went to the buffet and filled a plate before sitting across from her.
Lisbeth and Lady Derry joined them. Rose smiled. “Good morning. Lady Derry, your estate is lovely.”
Lisbeth nodded hello, and the other lady said, “Please call me Sophia. Ask Sinclair; I hate formality.”
He snorted, and she nudged him with her elbow. He grimaced. “Lovely Sophia.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sinclair likes coming here. He doesn’t have to be such a stick-in-the-mud.”
A snicker escaped Rose, and Sinclair muttered. Sophia frowned. “What was that?”
“I was reiterating how much I love being here.”
