Desire (Notorious 3)

Dare joined him at the terrace balustrade. “How novel. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you at a loss with a woman before, Luce.”

Perhaps, he thought darkly, because he had never been at such a loss before. He had frequented the lavish and licentious courts of Europe and had lovers beyond counting. Women had come easily for him… until Brynn. “You forget that I’ve never faced such novel circumstances before.”

“Marriage?”

Lucian’s mouth twisted. “Exactly. My marriage of convenience has turned out to be anything but convenient. The consequences of taking a reluctant bride, I surmise.”

“You can always lose yourself in the arms of someone more willing. Acquire a mistress.”

“That is your answer to every problem, isn’t it?” Lucian asked impatiently. “Moving on to another woman.”

“It usually works,” Dare said softly.

Lucian shook his head. “I’m not in the market for a mistress. Nor do I intend to supply the gossips with more fodder for scandal. My marriage is the talk of the ton as it is.”

Leaning a hip against the railing, Dare stared out into the dark garden. “Well, I certainly am no expert on matrimony. Only once in my life did I ever consider becoming leg-shackled.”

Surprised by the admission, Lucian sent his friend a sharp glance. “I never knew you contemplated marriage.”

Dare shrugged. “It was a long time ago, and I’ve done my damnedest to forget it.”

“What happened?”

“I was foolish enough to think myself in love. I went so far as to propose before discovering my mistake.” His tone hardened. “My innocent young betrothed wasn’t quite as pure as I thought her.” Dare gave a brusque shake of his head and flashed his charming grin, as if dismissing his dark thoughts.“But I’ve had some small amount of experience with women,” he added with his customary wry humor. “I think I might be qualified to advise you in winning over a lady.”

Lucian had to smile at this understatement. Dare could melt stone if he wished to. “All right then, what do you advise? I am all ears.”

“You could start by showing your bride more consideration. From what I hear, you’ve been a touch high-handed with her. Dragging her into a whirlwind union so you could get an heir upon her, then disappearing and leaving it to your servants to transport her to London, where she had to face society’s wolves alone. Rather arrogant of you to believe she might welcome such treatment, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been accused of arrogance.”

“Even so, you should never have left her so soon after the wedding, Luce. Not at all chivalrous of you. Or astute. Neglecting your new lady is no way to win her heart.” Dare paused. “Are you interested in winning her heart?” he asked curiously. “Or in giving yours?”

It was odd to hear Dare North, London’s most notorious bachelor, speaking of love, Lucian reflected. His own feelings about the subject were nebulous. He had never loved any of the soft, willing beauties who’d shared his bed, but he envied other men who had managed the feat. He’d recently seen his American cousin Nick Sabine fall deeply in love. And his friend Damien Sinclair was madly enamored of his wife…

Lucian grimaced. Falling in love with Brynn would be the height of lunacy. He’d been smitten since he first set eyes on her seductive beauty, and his condition had only grown worse with time. When she was near, the passion he felt for her was never far beneath his surface-

He muttered a low oath. The emerald-eyed siren had quite bewitched him, tied him in knots. He wasn’t even certain he could trust her. For all he knew, Brynn could be mired knee-deep in treason with her brother. It would be dangerous to risk giving her even more power over him. And yet the idea of ending the strain in their marriage… of truly winning her… had a definite appeal.

“I honestly don’t know,” he finally answered. “Love was never part of my plan. I only wanted a son.”

“Perhaps your plan was too logical. Too calculating. The heart doesn’t follow logic.” Quite suddenly Dare made a scoffing sound in his throat. “What the devil-listen to me waxing poetic. I must be growing maudlin in my waning years.”

“Ah, yes, you’re quite ancient,” Luce said with an edge of sarcasm. “You’re a year older than I, Dare. You’ll have us in invalid chairs before the night is through.”

His friend eyed him steadily. “No need to take your foul temper out on me.”

“Just so. My pardon.”

Dare slapped him lightly on the back. “Forgiven.” Then he turned and lazily rested his elbows on the railing. “One thing I do know,” he added with more seriousness. “If you neglect your wife, others are bound to step in.”

“Others already have stepped in,” Lucian responded, his tone turning dark again. “That is a large part of the problem, or hadn’t you noticed?” He took a long swallow of brandy. “Fools losing their heads over her all because of a curse.”

“Curse?”

“My wife claims to be cursed, didn’t I tell you? Men lust after her because a damned Gypsy put a hex on one of her ancestresses. She even haunts their dreams.”

“How intriguing,” Dare said, grinning.