Page 10 of Lord Ramsey's Red-Headed Ruin
“Tell me what else you want of me, Amber.”
That shocked her.
But he went on and surprised her more. “The night grows deep, and we must sleep to begin our jobs with vigor.”
Persistent cuss.He had won. She shook her head, then rose to get more whisky. Instead of rising to serve her like a gentleman, he watched her like a rogue. His gaze scorched her mouth. Her throat tingled as if those perfect lips of his pressed her there. Her breasts filled; her nipples grew hard as if his large hands held her and his fingers plucked her. Her loins gushed with a desire that had no place in this discussion. This man was pure temptation to women worldwide. But she shook her head. She had years of practice denying men sensual advantage.
She would agree for now to Charleville. Later, she would find a way to leave him. “Very well. You and I are colleagues only. To alleviate any threat. And to investigate Charleville.”
“Of course,” he said without a hint of duplicity. “And?”
“We will not be intimate. Not for sport. Not for affection. Nor for comfort.”
“Agreed.” He nodded once, as indifferent to her as a vicar giving a benediction. “Such emotions detract from one’s ability to think clearly and act quickly.”
She wanted to sputter. “What a fine fellow you are. Your mother must be proud.”
“She is. My mother is a darling. I love her. She is worthy of it, for she understands that when one loves, one gives everything, expecting nothing in return. For now, I take your compliment. And I agree. You and I will not be lovers.”
At his words, a tiny part of her heart shriveled and went away to pine. She had insulted him, and he had found the means to diminish her for withholding a divine emotion.
Stripped of her independence, she itched to get away. “Concluded, then. Good. I leave you. I am tired. I will return to you at nine in the morning.”
“No.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“This is no polite act of chivalry, madame. I am here now to order your days and nights. You will never leave me.”
“No! That is—”
“How else can I protect you?” He seared her with his quick and blinding anger.
“I will not sleep here with you. You need only reach over and—”
“I promised you I will not. Like my mother, I give all away not always for love, but for love of my mission. You are not mine to ravish, but mine to protect.” He rose to his feet slowly, like an enormous god from the sea. “Give over. We will not argue.” He pointed toward the small alcove. “I know you had a few minutes to check my belongings, but you may not have probed them all.”
He had so defeated her that she could only question him with knitted brows.
“I see not.” He grinned, then marched to the adjacent dressing room. She heard him rustle about. He returned with a sturdy white muslin, a nightgown. “I prefer you in women’s clothes. Especially because we will travel as husband and wife. Greens, amethyst, and royal purples, I think, are best for your coloring. We will visit a modiste in Buzancy when we stop along the way to Charleville.”
She opened her mouth to express her delight and dismay at his presumption. He had planned so very much that she was impressed and humbled. But she had her own ideas. “I will visitfriends of mine here in town tomorrow. The Vernes are loyal to my family, old retainers. I will ask to borrow a few ladies’ garments from them.” She grabbed the stack of clothes from his hands. “But we have two other problems.”
“What are they?”
“I do not have a wedding ring.” She would not wear the precious one that Maurice had bestowed upon her. She lifted one hand to wiggle her fingers at him.
“Alas, wife, I fear that you have lost it. It was always too large, too loose. I will have one made for you when we arrive in Charleville.” He looked pleased with himself. “And the other problem?”
“I do not know your name. You know much about me. Yet I am left without a clue except that your mother loves you…and so does Scarlett Hawthorne.”
“Enough to put you in my care.Oui, madame.” He bowed artfully. “I am Godfrey. Godfrey DuClare. Viscount Ramsey. Twelfth of my line. Now please avail yourself of your new night rail and robe.”
“No armor, I assume?”
All hauteur fell from his maddeningly handsome features. “None will be necessary, Amber.”
“Good to know. Godfrey.”
