Page 41 of The Viscount's Seduction
Chapter 11
No. No, of course she could not be his wife. She lifted her gaze and saw a glint of—uncertainty, yes. It had clouded out the desire, well, mostly it had, because there was still that bit of tension around his mouth like he was wanting to take a big bite out of her.
And if he was uncertain and desiring, then he’d want his wedding night now and he’d change his mind in the morning, and then she’d be one more girl for the houses in St. James’s. Nor would she find her brother if she was having to spend all her time flat on her back.
But…if he was true, if theywereto marry, she’d have access to that great house over near Berkeley Square. She could even tell the great lord what she really thought of him.
And yes, wouldn’t that make you welcome in the family, girl?
“It is customary in these circumstances to sayyes.” The wee bit of irritation made his eyes flash, as they seldom did with these great bored lords. Bakeley had some spark in him. And strength, yes, especially in the hand that had started stroking her leg through her skirts. He might be an honest fellow, too, not making any pretense of his amorous intentions.
Or he might be dishonest. He might just be a craftier seducer than her cousin had been. He might still change his mind in the morning.
“Sirena,” he said.
His hands paused and his gaze pinned her.
He was…earnest. Determined. He wanted an answer, this English lord whom she knew nothing about. Practical and boring. And English. How could they possibly suit?
She swallowed hard. The simple answer was, Lady Jane was correct—they wouldn’t. He belonged with a rich, noble, English girl, a girl with good blood lines. A girl with a father who could force him to marry her after he’d tupped her.
“It’s a mad idea.” Her voice shook with the quiver that ran up one leg and converged at the spot where it and the other leg met.
Get hold of yourself, Sirena.
If she but had a horse in the room, she might be able to whisper up some calm.
“No,” he said, “It’s very logical.”
“It’s mad and rash. Your father would have an apoplexy, thetonwould laugh at you, and in six months you’d be seeking an annulment.”
A smile drove out the uncertainty in his eyes, but not the heat, which still lingered around those turned up lips. “You are trying to dash my hopes.” He set the jewel box on the table, slipped her shoe off and began to massage her foot, one-handed. His other moved to her hip.
“And you are trying to—” She inhaled sharply at the burst of sensation. “To seduce me with your wicked hands.”
“Wait until I employ my wicked tongue.”
Heat raced through her. Pictures danced in her head, making her dizzy. “Lord Bakeley—”
“Why not call me James?”
Her breath left her in a loudwhoosh. It was a moment before she could speak. “Is that truly your name?”
The stroking stopped. “Yes, Sirena. What’s wrong?”
She directed her gaze to the fireplace. To the door, to the table with its fine linens and china. Anywhere than at that searching gaze. It was too tempting to want to fall in.
“It’s my brother’s name. The name we knew him by.”
“Your brother who was lost with the ship that foundered.”
“You knew?”
“Would I propose to a girl without knowing everything I could?”
“You found your father’s files?”
“No. The little I know of you, I learned from my brother, Bink. I still haven’t found any files. Perhaps when we marry we’ll just go and ask him to show us them.”
