Page 25 of One Night for Seduction
He nodded solemnly. “We made friends with half the town before the first year was through. Those drunken debates and spirited conversations introduced me to some of the best men I’ve ever met.”
“I suppose that’s why so many men love to pass their days at their clubs.”
“No,” Colehaven said slowly. “I don’t think it is. Most gentlemen’s clubs are meant for likeminded individuals of similar tastes and backgrounds. Brooks’s is for Whigs, White’s for Tories. If any member believes an applicant fails to fit the mold, a single black ball will bar the unwanted element from entry.”
“What are the rules for membership in the Wicked Duke?”
“The only rule is that there aren’t any rules.” His grin was infectious. “The world may not be equitable for all men, but at least our tavern can be. Regardless of color, creed, or the size of one’s coin purse.”
Diana’s heart warmed. She admired that he strove to create an open forum where multiple classes were not only welcome, but free to share their views and make friends with people wholly different from themselves. It spoke to his character… and filled her with hope.
If she could prove to him an overhaul of England’s weights and measurements system wasn’t just the logical decision but therightthing to do, Colehaven would be the sort of man to stop at nothing to see it through.
She’d done it once, she reminded herself. Her anonymous letters to the House of Lords eventually spurred the Act of 1815. No one suspected the connection, of course. Men might be equal in Colehaven’s tavern, but women weren’t equal anywhere.
There was no chance of Diana’s perspective being respected on its own merit, no matter how much she might wish her thoughts to be seen as valid. If the restructuring was Colehaven’s idea, it would have a chance. He might not be ready to join her in a political debate, but surely this evening proved they did not have to be enemies.
He made a face at his wineglass. “Believe it or not, I didn’t come here to blather on about the good old days at Oxford.”
“The beginning sounded miserable,” she assured him with a smile. “If I was uninterested, I would not have asked questions.”
If anything, her fingers had itched to slide her journal from its hiding spot and scratch down every word he said in order to analyze it later.
“Then I hope turnabout is fair play,” he said with a wry smile. “I came here because I wanted to know more about you.”
A sudden rush of fear squeezed the breath from her lungs. The last thing she needed was a powerful duke attempting to uncover personal secrets.
“There’s nothing to tell,” she said quickly. “I’m sure if there was anything of interest about me, Thaddeus would already have told you.”
“I haven’t asked,” Colehaven admitted. “I wouldn’t want him to misconstrue my interest.”
Well.Thatbucket of cold water ought to calm her ardor. They might or might not discuss mathematics someday, but the duke’s interest in her was merely as an object of curiosity. Lest Diana forget, Colehaven’s sole motivation was marrying her off to someone else in order to win a wager.
She rose to her feet. “I should get back before he notices my absence.”
Colehaven rose to his feet at once. “Would you like me to escort you?”
“No,” she said crisply. “I wouldn’t want anyone to misconstrue your interest.”
He winced. “That was thoughtless of me. What I meant—”
“Don’t misconstrue my interest, either.” Her pulse fluttered in her throat at his nearness. “I don’t want tomarryyou.”
He took a step closer. “Whatdoyou want from me?”
She allowed her hungry gaze to rake his form. “I…”
The edge of his boot brushed her slipper and suddenly he was far too close for conscious thought at all.
“Stop me,” he said as he lowered his mouth toward hers. “Before I take whatIwant.”
In reply, she lifted her lips to meet his.
Electricity raced through her, sending tingles throughout her body. Suddenly her fingers were laced about his neck as his arms cradled her flush to his body.
Until this moment, Diana had believed herself jaded. She’d been kissed before. Nothing could surprise her.
But Colehaven set her flesh ablaze. His touch was nothing like the fumbling stolen kisses of her youth. He was confident, strong, secure. His arms were tight about her, both protective and possessive. Any restraint she’d once believed within her control vanished with the taste of his kiss.
