Valentine's Vow (Avenging Lords 3)

The need to soothe him took hold. “Except that my brother is intent on making things difficult. Lady Durrant has captured him in her web, and he has himself in a terrible tangle.”

Lord Valentine snorted in agreement. “I get the distinct impression Lady Durrant enjoys the drama. I once heard her say that the trick to capturing a man’s heart is to make him think he must climb obstacles to have you.”

And this was the woman he wanted to marry?

Honora Valentine must be desperate for an heir to consider such a lady a suitable wife for her son.

“Personally, I prefer honesty to deception,” she said. “And while I understand the need for primogeniture, I could only ever marry for love.”

“Ah, that mystical emotion that eludes the best of us.” Lord Valentine cocked his head and narrowed his gaze. “And what is love to you, Miss Kendall?”

“Love?” Goodness. He was extremely direct. Had she finally met her match? “Well, I suppose at first one must feel an undeniable attraction, a physical lust that goes beyond anything one has experienced before.”

Covertly, she scanned the breadth of his chest, the sculpted line of his jaw, and those bewitching blue eyes that made her stomach flip. No doubt many women found themselves a little in love with Lucius Valentine.

“And yet you do not strike me as a woman who values the superficial.”

“Desire is a potent thing, my lord, necessary in any relationship.” But that was just a small part of what drew two people together. “Of course, I would have to admire a man’s mind as much as his body.”

“Of course,” he said with a sinful grin. “A woman needs more than one means of stimulation.”

Heat rose to Ava’s cheeks. The conversation grew more inappropriate by the minute. The other enlightened ladies would commend her for speaking so openly, for not shying away from the awkward topic.

“Some say one feels love when aroused to the point of madness.” Mr Fairfax had certainly appeared mildly insane when making his declaration. “For me, true love is finding a man who can be my friend and my lover. A man who can accept I am strong enough to be his partner, not open to judge or ridicule me during those moments of weakness when I need his support.” This was the most progressive conversation she had ever had. “I would need to trust him implicitly, be ready to lay down my life for him if necessary.” Was she not describing her parents’ perfect marriage? Few people found such a deep, abiding love. “As you may have gathered, my wants might be considered excessive by most ladies’ standards.”

“Oh, I am certain there is a man capable of meeting your long list of criteria.” The silky, rich tone of his voice slid across the carriage to stroke and caress her senses. “Have you ever been in love, Miss Kendall?”

Ava swallowed. She had no desire to speak of Mr Fairfax or his lascivious antics, but her need for honesty forced her to answer. “I thought so, once, but believe I was mistaken.”

“Mistaken or mistreated?”

Good Lord! Lucius Valentine was the most perceptive man she had ever met.

“Does it matter?”

“A great deal. I can only surmise that the gentleman was not worthy of your good opinion or your affection.”

Ava floundered under the heat of his stare. His perfect blue eyes penetrated the barrier she had constructed as a means of protection, raising her pulse to leave her hot, slightly breathless.

Memories of Mr Fairfax’s assault came flooding back. The dark room, the lack of air, his hot, slimy hands slipping over her skin. She had lacked the strength to ward off his advances. Thank heavens Jonathan had arrived to save her virtue. It was why she could never abandon her brother, no matter how low he stooped.

“Are you unwell, Miss Kendall?”

Outside, the hum of early morning activity reached her ears. Ava shot forward and raised the blind. They had left the peace of the countryside behind, entered the bustling streets of London. Costermongers were journeying across town with their barrows. The hackney swerved and swayed, navigating the carts and wagons eager to make their deliveries before the roads became congested.

“You should hold on to the strap,” Lord Valentine suggested when she almost slipped off the seat. “Unless you’re happy to end up sprawled across my lap.”

One look at his muscular thighs sent her nerves skittering. She needed air. She needed out of this enclosed space.

Ava was about to lower the window when Lord Valentine spoke again.

“Open the window at your peril,” he said as if accustomed to riding the streets at dawn. “At this time, the salop sellers are out offering hot drinks, their cure for those with a pounding head from a night spent in drunken merriment. They’ll think nothing of thrusting their hands into the vehicle to force you to purchase their wares.”

“Then I pray they have fat fingers.” Ava lowered the window a fraction and inhaled the stench of manure and rotten vegetables. It was the tonic she needed to banish the ghosts of the past. “We’re approaching Mount Street which is where I shall alight.”

“Mount Street?” Lord Valentine frowned. “But I was under the impression your brother owned a house on Newman Street.”

Oh, dear! Lord Valentine was not as radical as he would have her believe. “My brother does own a house in Newman Street which is currently let to Lord Sterling. I own a house in Park Street, directly opposite your mother. My brother resides with me for the time being.”