“The night is still young,” Venetia rejoined. “If I wait long enough, I have no doubt you will oblige.”
“So you plan to tell her you found me here? You would have to admit you followed me.”
“I will if you leave me no choice.”
His blue gaze sharpened on her. “I don’t take kindly to extortion, darling.”
“Extortion has nothing to say in the matter. It is my only leverage against you.”
He considered her a long moment. “Perhaps I could be persuaded.”
His sudden about-face took her aback. “What do you mean?”
“I will give you the chance to sway me. Come here and kiss me.”
Venetia felt a shiver run down her spine. “Surely you are jesting.”
“Not in the least. You say you want me to end my courtship. You will have to convince me.”
A shock of titillating awareness coursed through her. It was mad even to think about responding to such an absurd proposition. She’d been thoroughly shaken by his kiss—his mere touch was like a lightning bolt streaking through her. She would be wise to avoid any physical contact at all costs.
“What would I have to do?”
“Kiss me, just as I said.”
“And then you will give up?”
“I will consider it.”
He was merely playing games with her, she decided with disgust. “I won’t kiss you, Traherne.”
“Then I will escort you to your carriage.”
He started to rise from the chaise, but Venetia stopped him. “No, wait!”
His smile was lazy and full of charm as he settled down again. “It is your choice. I have all night. Indeed, I would rather not leave just yet. We should be giving the appearance that we are lovers, and I have a reputation to uphold. It will look as if I cannot keep my woman entertained and only care about my own satisfaction.”
“I am not your woman,” she exclaimed in exasperation.
“No, you are too fainthearted to ever fill that role.”
His tone was subtly teasing, which eased the barb. “I am not frightened of you, Traherne.”
“No?”
Frightened was not the right description for what she was feeling. Yes, it was unnerving to be here alone with him looking at her in that tender, sensual way, but strangely exhilarating as well.
He was a provocative devil, taunting her, almost daring her to take up his challenge. But she couldn’t allow him to know she was the least bit intimidated.
“Only one kiss?”
“Just one.”
Surely she could brace herself for the impact.
He patted the brocade seat beside him. “Come, sit here with me.”
It was absurd, quivering here like a timorous doe. Determined to hold her own with him, Venetia crossed to stand before him.