A Rake's Midnight Kiss (Sons of Sin 2)

“She doesn’t like him.”

“Says you.”

“She’s got too much sense to fall for that walrus’s blather.”

Richard awaited further mockery, but Cam regarded him with a frown. “A sensible woman would say yes. It’s a big step up in the world.”

“No sensible woman would marry Neville Fairbrother. He’s a boor.”

“Compared to you.”

“At least I’m not thirty years older than she is.”

“So you’re contemplating marriage?”

Shocked, Richard jerked upright, losing his towel. Marriage? To Genevieve? If he wasn’t stuck here with noisome gunk adorning his head, he’d march out. “Good God, you’re talking madness. You know I need to marry a woman who can restore the Harmsworth name. A chit with exceptional lineage and no questionable interests.”

Cam looked intrigued. “Questionable interests?”

Richard’s lips tightened. His friend’s query should amuse him. Instead, he wanted to punch Cam’s aristocratic nose. “Miss Barrett’s a lady of unblemished chastity. But the Harmsworth scandal will never die if I marry a lowborn bluestocking with a tendency to speak her mind.”

“You’ve thought this through.”

Richard’s laugh was dismissive. “Not at all. Matrimony’s the last thing on my mind. I’ll set my course to seeking a bride when I’m back in Town.”

“When will that be? After Christmas? Can you tear yourself away from the luscious Genevieve before then? She’s got you in a lather and you haven’t even tumbled her yet.”

“It’s only a passing fancy. I’m here for the jewel.”

Cam shrugged. “You don’t talk about the jewel. You talk about Miss Barrett. And in terms I’ve never heard you use.”

Richard sobered. Strangely now that shock subsided, the prospect of marrying Genevieve didn’t stir quite the horror he’d expected. Which was the most frightening admission of all.

She never bored him. If anything, she was a little too exciting. He wasn’t used to women staying two steps ahead. If he wasn’t careful, her brilliant brain might outwit him yet.

He spoke from the depths of his heart. “She’s too good for me, Cam.”

“Rubbish.”

“Even if she isn’t, she’s determined on spinsterhood and a life of scholarship. She says right out that she won’t marry. Can’t blame her. A husband would try to crush her spirit. She’s not exactly docile and I can’t imagine her taking a fellow’s direction just because she’d vowed obedience before a parson.”

“She sounds like she’s got your measure.”

Even if that was true, he damned well wasn’t admitting it. “She’s certainly interesting.”

She was way more than that, but he’d exposed enough of this unwelcome obsession. Wanting a woman was perfectly acceptable, but this desire threatened to dominate his life.

Cam’s expression became austere. “Richard, if you’ve decided you’re interested in this woman as more than a brief flirtation, tell her the truth. You’ve already lied to a point where she mightn’t forgive you. The longer you stay, the greater the chance that she’ll discover you’re not what you seem.”

Richard’s skin felt too tight and heat crept into his cheeks. How utterly bloody that his friend made him falter like a schoolboy. And squirm with guilt. “Don’t be an ass. You see significance where none exists.”

Cam didn’t appear convinced. “Of course I do.”

“Really.”

“My mistake.”

Richard’s eyes narrowed, but Cam had turned to stare out at the rain. Instead of another harangue, Cam changed the subject. Unfortunately he chose a topic even less congenial than the beauteous Genevieve.