to return the title to my father’s line. And since
I
cannot inherit a title, my only alternative is to marry one.”
“Because you are a dutiful daughter, and you won’t disobey your parents.”
“Because I won’t
disappoint
my parents. My motherwas especially devastated by my brother’s death, and I hope to relieve her sadness
in some small measure.” She gazed up at Lord Jack, willing him to understand. “I cannot
make up for the pain my parents endured, but I have to try. They have invested everything
they have in my matrimonial prospects. All their hopes and dreams rest on my match
with the duke.”
Her explanation gave him pause, she could tell, and she pressed her point. “I respect
and love my parents very much, and I owe them my loyalty.”
He did not seem to like that argument, however, judging from his frown.
“What if you were in my position?” Sophie added earnestly. “Did you love your adopted
parents, my lord?”
“Yes.”
“Then I expect you would have done whatever they asked.”
“Within reason,” he conceded.
“But I am supposed to turn my back on my family simply because you have a whim to
test a fantastical theory about legendary lovers?”
He had an answer for that, however. “It is not merely a whim on my part. You are letting
yourself be forced into marriage to an ancient moneybags.”
“The duke is hardly ancient.”
“Even so, you should have a choice whom to wed.”
“I
do
have a choice—and I am choosing him.”
“But you don’t love Dunmore.”
“Well … no.”
“And you don’t really want to wed him.”
Apparently Lord Jack noted her hesitation for his tone turned more forceful. “Then
I cannot understandyour submissiveness. You are willing to stand up for your maid but not yourself.”
Sophie searched his gaze. “What are you saying, my lord? That you wish to save me
from an unwanted marriage?”
“What if I do?” His expression had softened, but for once, Lord Jack appeared entirely
serious.
Touched by his concern, Sophie smiled in gratitude. “It is considerate of you to want
to act as my savior, but I fear it is much too late for that. In any case, there are
worse things than a marriage of convenience. One cannot always marry for love.”
“What about your marriage bed?”
“What about it?”
“You won’t find pleasure there, let alone joy. A woman as responsive as you deserves
passion.”
Sophie could scarcely believe they were having such a forthright conversation, yet
before she could think of a reply, he stepped closer.
She tensed as a shiver of awareness rippled down her spine. Did he actually intend
to kiss her again?
Her gaze wandered to Lord Jack’s enticing mouth, then lifted once more when he reached
up to loosen the ribbons of her bonnet.
“I mean to prove it to you,” he murmured. His dark eyes holding hers, Lord Jack shifted
her bonnet slightly on her head to give his lips greater access to hers.
Sophie remained immobile, wishing she had the strength to resist the potent allure
of his kisses. But all her willpower fled when he cradled her cheek in the warm hardness
of his palm and spoke softly.
“The first time we kissed, there was a spark of fire between us. You felt it too,
don’t deny it.…”
She couldn’t possibly deny that certifiable fact. His mere touch kindled more of those
sparks now, making fresh desire flare up inside her. The warm mist of his breath caressed
her lips as he took her in his arms.
“Open for me, lovely Sophie …” he murmured again, his voice silky, sensual. And then
he lowered his head.
His kiss this time was slow and lengthy and very, very expert. And it had the same
stunning effect on Sophie as before: It sent a wash of heat swirling through her that
made her feverish.
Of their own accord, her arms crept up to twine about his neck while her body molded
against his, seeking instinctively to press closer. His kiss only
I
cannot inherit a title, my only alternative is to marry one.”
“Because you are a dutiful daughter, and you won’t disobey your parents.”
“Because I won’t
disappoint
my parents. My motherwas especially devastated by my brother’s death, and I hope to relieve her sadness
in some small measure.” She gazed up at Lord Jack, willing him to understand. “I cannot
make up for the pain my parents endured, but I have to try. They have invested everything
they have in my matrimonial prospects. All their hopes and dreams rest on my match
with the duke.”
Her explanation gave him pause, she could tell, and she pressed her point. “I respect
and love my parents very much, and I owe them my loyalty.”
He did not seem to like that argument, however, judging from his frown.
“What if you were in my position?” Sophie added earnestly. “Did you love your adopted
parents, my lord?”
“Yes.”
“Then I expect you would have done whatever they asked.”
“Within reason,” he conceded.
“But I am supposed to turn my back on my family simply because you have a whim to
test a fantastical theory about legendary lovers?”
He had an answer for that, however. “It is not merely a whim on my part. You are letting
yourself be forced into marriage to an ancient moneybags.”
“The duke is hardly ancient.”
“Even so, you should have a choice whom to wed.”
“I
do
have a choice—and I am choosing him.”
“But you don’t love Dunmore.”
“Well … no.”
“And you don’t really want to wed him.”
Apparently Lord Jack noted her hesitation for his tone turned more forceful. “Then
I cannot understandyour submissiveness. You are willing to stand up for your maid but not yourself.”
Sophie searched his gaze. “What are you saying, my lord? That you wish to save me
from an unwanted marriage?”
“What if I do?” His expression had softened, but for once, Lord Jack appeared entirely
serious.
Touched by his concern, Sophie smiled in gratitude. “It is considerate of you to want
to act as my savior, but I fear it is much too late for that. In any case, there are
worse things than a marriage of convenience. One cannot always marry for love.”
“What about your marriage bed?”
“What about it?”
“You won’t find pleasure there, let alone joy. A woman as responsive as you deserves
passion.”
Sophie could scarcely believe they were having such a forthright conversation, yet
before she could think of a reply, he stepped closer.
She tensed as a shiver of awareness rippled down her spine. Did he actually intend
to kiss her again?
Her gaze wandered to Lord Jack’s enticing mouth, then lifted once more when he reached
up to loosen the ribbons of her bonnet.
“I mean to prove it to you,” he murmured. His dark eyes holding hers, Lord Jack shifted
her bonnet slightly on her head to give his lips greater access to hers.
Sophie remained immobile, wishing she had the strength to resist the potent allure
of his kisses. But all her willpower fled when he cradled her cheek in the warm hardness
of his palm and spoke softly.
“The first time we kissed, there was a spark of fire between us. You felt it too,
don’t deny it.…”
She couldn’t possibly deny that certifiable fact. His mere touch kindled more of those
sparks now, making fresh desire flare up inside her. The warm mist of his breath caressed
her lips as he took her in his arms.
“Open for me, lovely Sophie …” he murmured again, his voice silky, sensual. And then
he lowered his head.
His kiss this time was slow and lengthy and very, very expert. And it had the same
stunning effect on Sophie as before: It sent a wash of heat swirling through her that
made her feverish.
Of their own accord, her arms crept up to twine about his neck while her body molded
against his, seeking instinctively to press closer. His kiss only
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