Page 17 of His Wicked Embrace
“Well, perhaps you should be. Men are always improved when they marry. A wife settles you, gives you a purpose andjoy.”
He chuckled. “Only to some. You were lucky when you married Papa. Others are foolish enough to marry for money or social advancement. You cannot find a woman at Almack’s after just one dance and know that she is the one you want to spend the rest of your lifewith.”
“You certainly can. That’s exactly how I met yourfather.”
His father. The perfect husband, the perfect father—the shadow he left over his sons was too large for any toescape.
“Mother, not all of us will live up to your standards. We can’t all be just likehim. I’m not even your favorite, so why waste your time onme?”
The sharp rattle of a teacup clattering on its saucer made him look her way. Her eyes werenarrowed.
“I donothave favorites. How can you saythat?”
Regret stung him. “I’m sorry, Mother. I’m just… I had very little sleep last night. Why don’t we have tea tomorrow?” He offered her an olive branch, hoping she would accept. He did adore her, even when she was constantly interfering in hislife.
Jane smiled. “Tea?”
“Or dinner, or whatever you wish.” He rubbed his temples as a fresh headache began to pound behind hiseyes.
“Well, you could come to Lord Raleigh’s ball tonight and meet this young woman. Her name is Miss Hunt.” The scheming gleam was back in her eyes, and he knew better than toresist.
“Very well. I’ll come. But one dance, do you hear? If Miss Hunt proves uninteresting, that should be the end of thematter.”
“Of course,” she agreed. “Now, what was really going on between you andAvery?”
He tsked and waved a finger at her. “You only get one favor from me today, Mother. I shall not be telling you anythingelse.”
“So be it. But take care, Lawrence. The bonds of brotherhood should be forever. If you mistreat yours, you might losehim.”
“The same should be said to him,” Lawrencegrumbled.
“It will be.” She drank the remnants of her tea and then collected her gloves and stood. Lawrence got to his feet and leaned in to kiss his mother’scheek.
“See you this evening. Don’t belate.”
“Yes, Mother.” He escorted her to the door and watched her leave. Only after her coach carried her far away did he rush back upstairs to his chambers with a tray offood.
Zehra was reading again, wearing that awful gown from the brothel. Well, it wasn’tawful, but it was far too tempting in all the wrong ways. She needed new clothes fit for a princess, not alightskirt.
“Zehra, I was planning to have the modiste come here to fit you for gowns, but perhaps you should like to go out, get a bit of fresh air?” he placed the tray on the table and walked over toher.
Zehra’s eyes flashed with excitement. “Could we?” She set the novel down and was on her feet in an instant. The smile made his heart swell against his ribs. Was it possible to feeltoohappy?
“Yes, I thought it might be nice to spend the day out on the town, buy you whatever you need. I’m afraid I’ve got to go out tonight, but…”At least I could spend the day withyou.
“Thank you, my lord.” She rushed over to him and curled her arms around his neck. For a moment, he was stunned, unsure what to do or say. It was an innocent embrace, yet it was a wicked temptation to him as well. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close. Her hair carried a soft floral scent, and he longed to bury his nose in those silkentresses.
“Why don’t you have some breakfast, and then we’ll take my coach to Bond Street when you’reready.”
Zehra released him and he did the same, hating that he had to let her go. It was so unlike him. He wasn’t the sort who clung to women, and he certainly didn’t like women hanging on him, but with Zehra, he was discovering his usual preferences were no longerapplicable.
She seated herself in the chair by the fire and ate her breakfast. Lawrence intended to join her in the companionchair.
“Was that yourbrother?”
He froze at her question, his hands holding the book he’d retrieved from the chair before he satdown.
“Er…yes. How did youknow?”
