Page 26 of A Scoundrel All the Way
“Iam.Butyou’re going to marry me, anyway,Lucy.I’llaccept no arguments, either.”
“Oh, you!Youare…a stubborn, stubborn man.Whydo you have to be so honorable?Aren’tyou supposed to be a scoundrel?”
Hethrew back his head and laughed.Therewas something so innocent, so appealing, so damn noble aboutLucy.Notthe typicalEnglishbeauty.Better.Hewas mesmerized by her brandy-wine eyes, laced with flecks of gold.Herdeep brown hair showed hints of shimmering red in the firelight.Herskin, smooth and creamy, was like pressed powder.Seeingher in his clothes over the past two days, his shirt, which hung loosely down to her knees was the most sensual image he’d ever beheld.Hewould have to remember that after they were married.Whenthey were in private, he would insist on her wearing his shirts.
“You’renot listening to me.Ican’t let you do this…”Sheburst into tears, and his heart wrenched.
Hecouldn’t stand to see her cry.Heleaned down and gently covered her lips with his own, effectively stopping her tears.Lucy’sarms went around his neck, and she tugged him closer.
“Marryme,” he said against her neck before returning to her lips.Themore he said it, the more he liked the notion. “Lucy?” he prodded.
Shebreathed in a shaky breath and nodded. “Iwill marry you,Rowan.”AlthoughIalways thoughtI’dmarry for love,” she whispered.
Hesealed their pledge with another kiss because her lips were so damn inviting.Somewould probably accuse him of taking advantage, he supposed.Butshe had agreed—and that was a good thing.Hehadn’t ravished her, not that he hadn’t wanted to.Becauseif they had had one more day and night together, there might have been a real scandal.
Someonecleared his throat behind them, and they broke the kiss.
“Forthe love ofGod, what are you doing?”Nelsonasked.
“I’mconsoling her,”Rowananswered.
Slicesmirked.
Lathamchuckled. “I’mbeginning to understand things a little more.Comeon, you two.Wehave to get back.”
“She’sagreed to marry me,”Rowansaid with a grin to the obvious relief of his friends.EvenLucydidn’t seem as angry as she had earlier.
Rowangrabbed her hand, and they walked back to the parlor, where he helped her into her pelisse.Onceshe was in her wrap,Lucylightly tappedAsheon the head, and he ducked his head into the valise so she could secure it.
Latham’sexpression was one of pure amusement.
“I’lllet you explainLucy’snew…pet,”Lathamsaid toRowanas they made their way to the stables,Lucywalking ahead of them.
“Then, you have no objection,”Rowansaid.Itwas more of a statement than a question.
“Haveyou met my sister?Whileshe lacks experience rescuing foxes before a hunt, she regularly slipped puppies, kittens, and birds into the house when she was a child.IfIforbade it, would it do any good?”Lathamasked.
“Probablynot,”Sliceagreed. “Shestill does it, by the way.”
Thefour men laughed.
LucygaveRowana questioning look over her shoulder, and he winked at her.Shegrumbled something under her breath and turned around.God, she was beautiful.Hesuddenly couldn’t wait to be married and unleash all that passion he knew was simmering just beneath her prim and lady-like exterior.
Theyarrived at the manor house an hour later.Thesun had melted the roads enough that they were muddy but passable.
Frankie,Paula, andKatieran out to greet them.RowanliftedLucydown, and she was immediately surrounded by her friends.Sheheld the satchel tight against her chest as her friends hugged her and took turns peppering her with questions.
“Youmust tell us everything,”Pauladeclared.
“Paula, she’s barely just arrived,”Katiescolded her cousin. “Butyou will tell us after you’ve rested, of course.”
Paulathrew an accusatory glance atNelson.
“Whatin the blazes is that look for?” he grumbled.
“Nothing, it’s just that poorLucymust have been overwhelmed to have been surrounded by all of you.”
“Iwas fine,”Lucysaid.
