Forever Yours Series Bundle (Book 1-3)

She folded her hands in her lap. "As it were, you are the only other man who dared to call at the house since…well, you know what. But my brother does not approve of you.”

There was a decidedly dangerous gleam in his gaze. “And you do?” he asked smoothly.

I dreamed of you, kissing me. Of course, she would never admit that, but Fanny had been shocked to find herself thinking of him at every moment of the day. “I approve enough to accept your offer of marriage if you are so inclined,” she said hoarsely, wings of fright and doubt beating in her heart.

He went still— utterly and entirely still.

Oh, please say something, she cried silently when he only stared.

“I should count myself happy, Lady Fanny, to be able to call you my wife. I will stipulate I will not wait. There will be no courtship or long engagement. I want you."

And at that moment, Fanny suspected he was exerting an enormous amount of will not to ravish her. She couldn't decide if she should be frightened or thrilled, but it was positively wonderful to be desired.

A roaring began in her head. “Our union would be one of convenience, my lord.” A legal union with no promises of love. There would be no dashed expectations on her part if they understood from the beginning what was anticipated. Pain squeezed her insides. The very idea of infidelity made her feel faint. “I would…”

“Yes?”

She swallowed. “I know it a strange thing to ask, but I would demand your fidelity. Always.”

Those eyes that saw far too much roved over her face. An odd expression lit his eyes. He would never be able to appreciate the extraordinary willpower it took to maintain his regard.

“But not my adoration?”

That soft question did frightfully strange things to her inside. Her breathing quickened, and unfamiliar heat darted low in her stomach. He prowled over to her, and she stood, peering up at him. Fanny swallowed. "I too am not interested in an engagement period." She would probably be overcome and change her mind if she tarried. "I would like to be married by the end of the week by special license. I do hope you can procure one."

A small smile tipped his lips at her evasion. She did not know how to respond. Would there ever be a time she would want his love? Chasing that idea had seen her almost married to a fortune hunter, and then to a libertine. Both men hadn't truly wanted her and would never have tried to learn her heart. How easily words of love and flattery had fallen from their deceitful lips. Fanny refused to fool herself any longer. Marriages were business transactions, a trade, where they benefited each other and perhaps in time affection would grow if the heart was inclined. Her brother hadn't married Darcy because he loved her but because he had been found kissing her. Thank heavens it was Darcy's mother who had discovered them in the conservatory, but they had been forced to wed despite Colin’s protestations. Two years later Fanny could have said with confidence he loved his wife and Darcy worshiped him with her eyes. But now it seems he too had a mistress, shattering Fanny's certainty that he loved his wife infallibly. So, she had no real example that the kind of love she sought existed.

Perhaps in time, she would come to love this man, and he would feel the same. Especially if he was true to his word and remained devoted to her. She almost snorted.

Sebastian Rutledge did not seem the sort for falling into the throes of passion and reciting sonnets. Except, she had no idea what this man wanted from her.

“I had thought to give you a month to prepare. Why the haste?”

You will be married by the end of the month, Fanny. I want you from under my roof and in your own home.

Even now the harsh words spoken by her brother only a few hours past seemed lodged in her soul. “Though I do not want to believe it of him, I fear Colin may do something underhand to see me wed to Lord Worsley.”

Dark shadows moved across Mr. Rutledge and her apprehension increased.

“My fears may be unwarranted,” she hurriedly assured, somehow understanding this man would be wrathful if any harm came to her. The absurd notion warmed deep inside. “I must also warn you my brother is the trustee of my inheritance. He may never release it to me if we wed.”

“And what is this amount?”

“Fifty thousand pounds upon my marriage or on my five and twentieth birthday. An unentailed cottage in Derbyshire. A misnomer really, for it boasts fifty rooms and sits on several acres with a splendid lake. And an annuity of ten thousand pounds for ten years.”

“I will double all of that when we marry as your marriage portion.”

His generosity and the wealth it implied shocked Fanny. He stood and strolled over to her then he cupped her cheek, and she trembled. “Lord Shaw, I—”

He placed a thumb against her lower lip, exerting the slightest pressure until her lips parted. A small thrill swept through her. His purpose seemed to be ravishment. The awareness stirred a small bit of anxiety and intrigue. She leaned closer, allowing his warmth to surround her.

“Sebastian,” he murmured, dipping his head and pressing his lips to hers.

The fleeting touch of his lips to hers was a shock to her senses. Sebastian. His name whispered through her heart in an intimate caress, and her senses careened as he held her in an embrace that was far too intimate. He held her to his chest, and the soft, material of her gown slid sensually against her skin. She could not pull away, and Fanny allowed him to tighten his embrace and drag her up to his body for a deeper kiss. She gasped at the soft feather-like pressure of his lips against her. His embrace was fierce, unyielding, and she shivered at the sensations rioting through her.

Something curious, hot, and sweet stirred in her veins. And all at once, Fanny felt bewildered but exhilarated.

Oh, what am I doing?