Forbidden in February by Suzanna Medeiros Page A

her words had on him. His initial reaction was to oblige her. He imagined leading her upstairs to his old bedchamber, which was larger than hers and, more importantly, had a bed that would allow them to make love without worrying about falling out of it. But even with the surge of lust flowing through his body, his mind wouldn’t allow him to ignore the fact that the woman seated opposite him did not appear as though she would go with him willingly. As much as he desired Isabel Durham physically, he was not about to force himself on a woman who didn’t truly want to be with him.
    Isabel drew in a breath, then released it slowly when he didn’t reply. “Is the thought that distasteful to you? I thought… after what happened when we first met…” She shook her head and stood. “Never mind.”
    He stood as well. “You surprised me, and I can’t help but think that what you’re suggesting is the last thing you truly want.”
    Isabel sighed. “I’m not very good at this, I fear. I’ve never tried to seduce a man before, and so I thought it would be better to be straightforward about what I want from you.”
    For some reason, watching Isabel flounder for words, so unsure about the power she held over him, made him want to take her into his arms and shield her from any negativity that could touch her. And that thought terrified him. The last thing he wanted was to become embroiled in a relationship, and he feared that would happen if he followed through with Isabel’s request.
    “As you’re so fond of telling me, you needn’t stay in service. With the bequest my mother left you…”
    Isabel shook her head again. “My cousin won’t stop. I fear this has become a game to Bertram, and knowing him as well as I do, I can assure you that he always wins. If I’m to have any hope of living free from his influence, I must ensure that he no longer sees me as an asset he can barter away to the highest bidder.”
    “And to do that you must lose you virtue.”
    “Yes,” she said with a firm nod of her head, and he could see that she truly believed that. “Sir… well, it doesn’t matter what his name is. Just know that the man my cousin is so determined to have me wed is very wealthy, and he’s told Bertram that he wants me. But while he may be cruel, he is also a very pious man. Well, outwardly, at any rate. He wouldn’t want me without my virtue, which is why I must shed it. With any luck, my cousin will leave me alone once he can no longer use me for his own gain.”
    She’d started to pace, her agitation growing with each word she spoke. When she turned to look at him again, he knew he was lost. Yet he needed to give her time to weigh her actions. She was acting out of desperation, and much as he wanted nothing more than to make love to her, he didn’t want her to regret it afterward. It was clear to him that, unlike the other women he’d consorted with, Isabel wasn’t someone who could couple with a man and then carry on as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
    “I’m not agreeing—” Isabel’s face fell and she was about to interrupt him, but he held out a hand to stop her. “I’m also not disagreeing. I don’t want you to rush into something you’ll regret later.”
    She tilted her head and stared at him. The weight of her measured gaze almost had him reaching out and pulling her into his arms, regrets be damned.
    “I won’t change my mind.”
    “Nevertheless, I’m going to suggest that you take at least the rest of the day to consider your request carefully before we proceed. It’s only been an hour since you received your cousin’s letter.”
    Her face lit up with her first genuine smile since he’d stepped into the room. “So you agree.”
    “Only if you’re absolutely certain. And for that, you’ll need time.”
    “I don’t need any more time, but your concern tells me I’ve chosen the right person to… well, to help me.”
    Her smile dimmed, and he realized it was