Page 99 of Three Weeks with a Princess
His mind went blank. “Tests.”
“Yes, tests,” she said defiantly. “For potential protectors.”
“What sort of tests?”
She waved a vague hand. “You know.”
“I bloody well do not know. Perhaps you could try being more precise.”
The gentle blush of a few moments before had now deepened to a blazing rose. “Um, well, a kissing test, for one.”
He stared at her, his brain finding it hard to function. “What would be the purpose of such a test?”
“I’m going to have to kiss my protector, obviously, so I want to make sure I’m doing it right. That and other things,” she added.
He couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Sweetheart, you had no trouble with kissing the other night, I assure you.”
“That was different.”
“Why?” He was almost beginning to enjoy himself. Almost.
“Because it was you,” she snapped.
Ah.
“I see.” He stroked his chin, as if deep in thought. “And did you enjoy kissing me?”
She regarded him with an expression of acute dislike. “You know, I think you’re simply too annoying to be my protector. Are you going to help me or aren’t you?”
He had to swallow his smile. “Perhaps I’m not clear on the purpose of the kissing test.”
“I would assume that one could determine quite a bit from the way a gentleman kisses a woman, correct? Such as whether he’s someone who would treat his mistress with consideration and respect.” She twirled a hand. “So . . . what sort of kissing behavior should I be alerted to? What would suggest that a man might not be a good candidate for the role of protector?”
“If he tries to force himself on you, as Sir Nathan did, I’d say that might be a fairly good indication,” Jack said sarcastically.
She bolted to her feet. “If you’re not going to take this seriously—”
“Forgive me, pet,” he said, mustering a soothing tone as he gently pressed her back down. “I take this very seriously indeed.”
There was no way on God’s earth he would ever let another man kiss her, unless it was a friendly peck on the cheek from a relative or friend.
She subsided with a grumble. “Then please get on with it, Jack. My backside is beginning to feel numb from sitting on all these iron seats.”
He had to wrestle his mind off the image of her naked backside, preferably underneath his naked front side. “Very well. Number one—if a man tries to take liberties with you, you must put a stop to it immediately.”
Lia frowned. “But he’s already taking liberties, because I’m allowing him to kiss me.”
“I mean further liberties, of course. Such as if he attempts to insert his tongue into your mouth.”
She winced. “Right. But eventually he’ll wish to do that, will he not?”
Jack gave her a gentle smile. “He’ll insist on it. I know I would.”
She fidgeted with the satin ribbons of her bonnet. “I suppose I’ll just have to get used to it, then. Although perhaps I could institute a rule that he can only use his tongue when I give him permission.”
“That’s ridiculous. No man in his right mind would agree to a rule like that from his mistress.”
“Oh blast,” she muttered. “I’m sure you’re right.”
