Page 80 of A Rake's Redemption
“No, it is not—”
“I should nae have asked,” Inis said and started to rise.
“Please stay,” Alex said sharply and then softened his tone. “Please.” Inis looked dubious, but she settled back and he continued. “I did not mean it was not your business. Itisyour business, especially after…” His voice trailed off. Was it only last night that he and Inis had made love? It seemed half an eternity had passed. “What I meant was I don’t know what caused Miranda to become so obsessed. It is true that she was on my conquest list, but there was only one time with her. Just like all the others.”
Color swept across Inis’s cheeks, and she looked down. “Doona send me a negligee. I will nae accept it.”
“What? Why would I…” Alex stopped abruptly. Good God. Did Inis think she was just another woman on his list? He was certainly making a muddle of things. “You’re different, Inis. I hope to spend many more nights with you.” When she didn’t look up or answer, he felt a surge of panic. If the idea hadn’t shocked his brain so much, he might have laughed at the irony of a notorious rake being turned down. But he’d never felt less like laughing. “I want you to be my woman.”
Inis looked up then, her eyes flashing fire. “I told ye before, I will nae be your mistress. I will nae bekeptby any man.”
God’s teeth. Could he possibly make any more of a blundering mess of things? “Then I’ll marry you. Someone tried to kill you because of me. I have a responsibility to keep you safe.”
“Nae.” Inis scowled. “Do ye think I want a husband who marries me because he feels it’s hisduty?”
Apparently, hecouldmake a bigger mess of things. The conversation was rapidly turning into a fiasco. “I care about you, Inis, and not because we spent the night together. I likeyouas a person. That’s not something I’ve ever said to any of the…” He paused. “That’s not something I’ve ever said to anyone.”
Inis studied him for so long he almost squirmed under her gaze, which was another first. She finally nodded.
“I like ye, too, Alex Ashley. I’m not sure ye realize what honorable qualities ye have.” She gave him a smile. “And I will welcome ye to my bed again if ye wish to come.”
Wish to come? She probably didn’t mean that the way it sounded. He put a hand in his lap quickly to keep his overly enthusiastic cock from standing to immediate attention. “There is nothing I would like—”
“But only if ye understand we will cease talking about marrying me or making me your mistress.”
Alex nodded, wisely keeping his mouth for once. Who was he to argue? He’d just been offered something every living man dreamed of.
…
Inis was surprised how apprehensive she felt as they approached the entrance to the Duke of Dansworth’s Mayfair mansion. She had certainly attended such events in Dublin. In spite of the fact that she had spent several nights in Alex’s bed this past week—or maybebecauseshe had—she was uneasy, not sure of what role she really played.
Curious gazes turned to her as they were announced by the butler, but there was no flurry of skirts hurrying toward them to be the first to discover who Alex’s mysterious houseguest was.
“I doona—do not—think anyone is paying us mind,” Inis said, switching to a more refined English accent that Caroline had practiced with her.
“Only because the news of Miranda’s disappearance is more titillating at the moment,” Alex answered.
Inis supposed he was right. The officials the magistrate had sent to Bath had returned with the news that she hadn’t arrived there. The Earl of Benton had found Miranda had used their private carriage only as far as Piccadilly. Bow Street runners had been hired, but so far, no one had found a trace of the countess. The gossip vacillated between Miranda having met foul play and her body dumped in the Thames to having run off with a lover. Her husband declined to opine and had withdrawn to his country estate. Inis didn’t think either theory was true, but at least the attention was not centered on her. Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, however, she saw a beautiful woman with platinum-colored hair headed their way.
“I think you spoke too soon,” Alex said drily. “Here comes Amelia.”
Inis tried not to let her surprise show.Thiswas Amelia? Caroline had not prepared her for someone who looked like a Grecian goddess. Her ivory silk gown enhanced the pale creaminess of her skin. She moved with feline grace, the silver and gold net overlay of the skirt shimmering ethereally around her as she came closer.
“Alexander.” Her voice was low and modulated, perfectly accented. “I’m glad you decided to attend.”
“Your Grace.” Alex bowed slightly. “I present my houseguest, Miss Inis O’Brien.”
Amelia lifted one delicate eyebrow as she glanced toward Inis. She recognized the haughty look, since Dublin aristocrats, including her own aunt, used it, too. It was meant to convey station and status without vulgarlysayinganything. Inis suppressed a smile and lifted her chin instead of curtseying. “Your Grace.”
Amelia’s smile was as cool as her glacier gaze. Her eyes sharpened almost imperceptibly as she looked over Inis. “The duke and I have wondered who his brother is housing.”
“Housing” sounded as though Inis were being kept as a pet for someone’s amusement. If she hadn’t already had the conversation with Alex about not beingkept, she might be irritated. The statement was meant to insinuate she was his mistress, and Inis recognized it for the ruse it was. Before she could comment Alex responded.
“And where is my dear brother? Rather rude of him not to greet us, is it not?”
“Viscount Linford needed a word with George. I’m sure he’ll be out shortly.” Amelia smiled at Alex. “Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to talk later. If you’ll excuse me for now?”
“Of course,” Alex said, returning the smile. “I look forward to our conversation.”
