that is the case here.” He regretted it hugely. “Our mutual attraction can be no more than a bright, passing moment.”
Her lush lips tightened. “I am not convinced there can be nothing between us.”
“A major drawback of passion is that it melts the brain,” he said sharply. “There are only two possibilities, Lady Kiri. Do you wish to have an affair? A well-bred virgin who did that would ruin her life. Courtship? Your entire family would rise up as one to drive me from your door—and they would be right to do so.”
“I just don’t see an impassable social gulf.” Her brow furrowed. “Yes, you are in trade, but you are not a ragpicker or fishmonger. Your father was a lord and you went to school with my brother. You look and talk like a gentleman. Can’t we meet and dance at a ball? Ride together in the park?”
Mac shook his head. “Your brother is an important reason why this must end tonight. I respect him too much to want to hurt him or you. Not to mention that Ashton once saved me from being beaten to death by an aristocratic bad loser and his cronies.” He caught her gaze, needing to convince her he was right. “The ability to feel passion is a gift, Lady Kiri. What you feel for me you can also feel for another man who will be the honorable partner you deserve. Wait for him.”
“Can’t we even be friends?” she asked quietly.
If her aim was as good with a dagger as it was with words, any man she confronted would be dead. When he was sure his voice would be level, he said, “I wish that was possible. But given the force of the attraction between us—no, Lady Kiri, we cannot be friends. No one would believe there was nothing more between us. And they’d be right, because I would never be able to keep my hands off you.”
His words made her pale, but after a long moment, she inclined her head with graceful acceptance. “Then I thank you for your honesty, Damian Mackenzie. As I thank you for your aid in escaping the smugglers. Sleep well.”
“I will be gone by the time you rise tomorrow morning.” He hesitated, then added, “It has been a pleasure meeting you.”
“A pleasure and an education.” She gave him a ghost of a smile. “A pity that you are honorable but not respectable. I would have preferred it the other way around.”
He almost laughed. “Be gone, you minx. A week from now you’ll thank me for my forbearance.”
Her smile faded. “I wish I was sure of that.” Then she was gone.
He fought a desperate desire to go after her, bring her back to his room and his bed. Not only because she was beautiful and utterly desirable, but for the wit and strength and vitality that lit up any room she entered. He’d never met a woman like her.
A beautiful woman, not his.
Chapter 8
Kiri managed to fall asleep after leaving Mackenzie’s room but her dreams were full of smugglers and threatening knives and intoxicating kisses. Not restful.
She woke to the shrieks of the young and energetic and guessed that the school playing fields were behind the manor. Though Kiri felt neither young nor energetic, she made herself get up to face the day. She discovered that a silent maid had entered, removed her skirt and cloak, and returned them brushed and wearable.
Impulsively Kiri picked up the cloak and buried her face against the heavy, dark folds. Mackenzie’s scent was in the fabric, triggering a vivid image of broad, powerful shoulders and his impish, multicolored eyes. After she’d stopped thinking of him as a possible threat, she’d loved being in his company. Fierce desire coupled with liking was a dangerously potent combination.
Yet he had been right that they had no future, damn him. She wasn’t about to take him as either lover or husband. It might be different if circumstances allowed a proper courtship, where they would have time to further their acquaintance. Instead, she must be grateful for his restraint.
With a sigh, Kiri laid the cloak down. If it were an
Her lush lips tightened. “I am not convinced there can be nothing between us.”
“A major drawback of passion is that it melts the brain,” he said sharply. “There are only two possibilities, Lady Kiri. Do you wish to have an affair? A well-bred virgin who did that would ruin her life. Courtship? Your entire family would rise up as one to drive me from your door—and they would be right to do so.”
“I just don’t see an impassable social gulf.” Her brow furrowed. “Yes, you are in trade, but you are not a ragpicker or fishmonger. Your father was a lord and you went to school with my brother. You look and talk like a gentleman. Can’t we meet and dance at a ball? Ride together in the park?”
Mac shook his head. “Your brother is an important reason why this must end tonight. I respect him too much to want to hurt him or you. Not to mention that Ashton once saved me from being beaten to death by an aristocratic bad loser and his cronies.” He caught her gaze, needing to convince her he was right. “The ability to feel passion is a gift, Lady Kiri. What you feel for me you can also feel for another man who will be the honorable partner you deserve. Wait for him.”
“Can’t we even be friends?” she asked quietly.
If her aim was as good with a dagger as it was with words, any man she confronted would be dead. When he was sure his voice would be level, he said, “I wish that was possible. But given the force of the attraction between us—no, Lady Kiri, we cannot be friends. No one would believe there was nothing more between us. And they’d be right, because I would never be able to keep my hands off you.”
His words made her pale, but after a long moment, she inclined her head with graceful acceptance. “Then I thank you for your honesty, Damian Mackenzie. As I thank you for your aid in escaping the smugglers. Sleep well.”
“I will be gone by the time you rise tomorrow morning.” He hesitated, then added, “It has been a pleasure meeting you.”
“A pleasure and an education.” She gave him a ghost of a smile. “A pity that you are honorable but not respectable. I would have preferred it the other way around.”
He almost laughed. “Be gone, you minx. A week from now you’ll thank me for my forbearance.”
Her smile faded. “I wish I was sure of that.” Then she was gone.
He fought a desperate desire to go after her, bring her back to his room and his bed. Not only because she was beautiful and utterly desirable, but for the wit and strength and vitality that lit up any room she entered. He’d never met a woman like her.
A beautiful woman, not his.
Chapter 8
Kiri managed to fall asleep after leaving Mackenzie’s room but her dreams were full of smugglers and threatening knives and intoxicating kisses. Not restful.
She woke to the shrieks of the young and energetic and guessed that the school playing fields were behind the manor. Though Kiri felt neither young nor energetic, she made herself get up to face the day. She discovered that a silent maid had entered, removed her skirt and cloak, and returned them brushed and wearable.
Impulsively Kiri picked up the cloak and buried her face against the heavy, dark folds. Mackenzie’s scent was in the fabric, triggering a vivid image of broad, powerful shoulders and his impish, multicolored eyes. After she’d stopped thinking of him as a possible threat, she’d loved being in his company. Fierce desire coupled with liking was a dangerously potent combination.
Yet he had been right that they had no future, damn him. She wasn’t about to take him as either lover or husband. It might be different if circumstances allowed a proper courtship, where they would have time to further their acquaintance. Instead, she must be grateful for his restraint.
With a sigh, Kiri laid the cloak down. If it were an
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