Part 12 (2/2)
”Leo,” he reminded. He slid his fingers along her arm, gratified by the answering tremor that rippled just beneath her skin. ”Spend some time with me after we return to London. Two weeks in which we can get to know each other better. If, at the end of that time, you still wish to be quit of me, I shall cease my pursuit and never trouble you again.”
”Two weeks, you say?”
He nodded. ”But you can't shut me out like you did before. You have to give me a fair chance to show you just how compatible we can be.”
”And if I refuse?”
”Then I shall continue to chase you, even more ruthlessly than before,” he said, his words filled with unmistakable intent.
”That hardly seems fair.”
”Neither was being shot by an outraged cottager who didn't like finding a naked stranger purloining a few of his clothes from the laundry line.”
”Borrowing, remember?”
”I did offer to pay him outright, but as he pointed out, I had no money on my person at the time.”
Her expression grew troubled. ”Have you spoken with Lord Holland about the incident? Is the man to be jailed?”
Leo shook his head. ”No. I am not pressing charges.”
”But he shot you!”
”He did. Were I not who I am, though, a wealthy aristocrat with a powerful family and influential friends, the law would likely see his actions as justified. I was stealing from him no matter my real intent.”
”He ought to have accepted your word as a gentleman, even if you were unclothed at the time.”
He smiled at her protective outrage. ”Perhaps. But you have to admit it isn't every day a naked aristocrat wanders into a farmer's back garden looking for a pair of breeches to cover his bare b.u.t.tocks.”
Her eyes rounded briefly before a smile crept over her mouth.
”At least he was only a middling shot,” Leo remarked. ”Just think how you would feel now had he killed me.”
Her cheeks paled, all amus.e.m.e.nt disappearing from her face.
”Two weeks with me, Thalia,” he urged. ”Then I shall absolve you completely and never mention it again.”
”Fine,” she said on a hastily exhalation, ”you can have your two weeks. But don't think that means you will be spending them in my bed.”
”A tumble on the sofa would serve just as nicely,” he said with a wicked smile.
She cuffed him on the shoulder.
”Ouch. Injured here, remember?”
”Sorry,” she said, looking genuinely contrite.
He closed his eyes again and worked to look even wanner than he felt, deciding it couldn't hurt to fan the flames of her guilt a bit more.
”Are you certain you won't take a gla.s.s of brandy?” she asked.
He peeked out from beneath his eyelashes, and felt a little guilty himself. She really did look upset.
”No. I just need to rest.” He paused, a small silence settling between them. ”So when shall I call at your town house?”
”When you are well. But understand something. This time together will not change my mind about becoming your mistress.”
He hummed low in his throat. ”We shall see.”
”I do not want a lover, Lord Leopold,” she said with exasperation.
He traced the length of her forearm again, then caught her hand, threading his fingers through hers. ”But I wouldn't just be your lover. I would also be your friend.”
And I do want to be her friend, he realized. I want to discover everything there is to know about the beautiful, mysterious woman who is Lady Thalia Lennox.
For a long moment, surprise and confusion shone in the rich caramel of her eyes, as though no other man had ever said such a thing to her.
Then it was his turn to frown.
”I really do need to go,” she said. ”And you need to rest.”
But he tightened his hold again. ”Not yet. There's one more thing I require before I can sleep.”
”What might that be?”
”A kiss. To make it all better, as they say.”
”I don't think a kiss will heal the bullet hole in your arm.”
”No, but it can't hurt it either.”
Her lips twitched; then she gave a grudging laugh. ”You are incorrigible, Lord Leopold.”
He grinned. ”Leo. Now, let's have that kiss.”
”This is a very bad idea.”
”It's an excellent idea. Look upon it as an act of mercy.”
She shook her head, then sighed. ”Close your eyes.”
He s.h.i.+fted beneath the covers, his pulse racing faster, as fresh arousal awoke inside him.
”Eyes,” she reminded softly.
Dutifully, he closed his lids.
<script>