Page 4 of Miss Harvey's Horribly Lovable Fiancé
“You are careful.” He grinned. “I like that about you.”
“Evidently not careful enough. When we met, you found me alone in a most unsuitable place.”
“As you found me.”
She could not help the appeal of his charming mouth. “Didshefindyou?”
“He did.”
She rolled her eyes at him.
“You should believe me.”
Time to admit the truth. “I want to.”
He inhaled, frustration ripe on his brow. “Let me talk to you in the hall.”
“Why?”
“Esme—I hope I may address you that way. The hall, behind the marble statue of our host, affords more privacy than here.”
Hope of being naughty with him made her tingle. “My lord, why would we need privacy?”
“BecauseEsme, I’d like to kiss you.”
She licked her lips.
“I see that idea appeals to you.”
“Are you always so bold with women?”
“Only you.”
Caution was a practice she rarely employed. With him, she should apply it. “I think we’ll wait.”
“Not long, Esme. Not too damn long,” he whispered as he devoted himself to perfection in the rest of the dance.
That evening, she’d learned from her friends that in the past two years, he’d had two lovers, both wealthy widows. Now he was free of both.
So when he returned to sit beside her, he murmured, “Esme, darling, look at me.”
She’d given in. With such endearments, who could deny him?
His hazel eyes faceted into shades of desire. “I want to become friends.”
“We are.”
“More than friends, Esme.”
She shook her head. She mustn’t lose it. “You’re a marquess.”
“True.”
“Not considered appropriate for me, a viscount’s daughter.” Furthermore, his father was an oldroué. That man, it was said aloud and in gossip sheets, wanted a glorious match for his only son. Specifically, ‘glorious’ translated intorich as Midas. That criteria she fit.
“Will you count me out of your life because of my status?” He joked, appearing amused as well as seriously dismayed.
“You’re twenty-nine,” she said in accusation.
