The Rake's Wicked Proposal

Perhaps once they were married their relationship would be such that omission would cease to be important? And that was as likely, Lucian acknowledged ruefully, as his horse sprouting wings and taking to the air!

* * *

‘May I come in?’ Grace did not wait for Lucian’s reply before entering the small library at the Dower House that he had temporarily taken over for his own use, closing the door behind her before she marched across the room to stand before the desk where Lucian sat, replying to several letters that had been delivered to him earlier that morning. ‘I want to know what is going on, Lucian.’ Her tone brooked no refusal of her demand.

Grace had not forgiven him yet for his comment yesterday, concerning his betrothal to her, but events had overtaken that annoyance, necessitating in her needing to speak to him.

Lucian’s expression was everything that was patient as he looked up at her. Annoyingly so, Grace acknowledged impatiently, as she readied herself for yet more prevarication from him. ‘I had reason to go up to Winton Hall this morning.’

‘And what reason would that be, Grace?’ he prompted, gaze narrowed.

Her mouth tightened. ‘I called to enquire after Francis’s health, of course.’

‘Of course,’ Lucian drawled as he sat back in his chair. ‘A note would have sufficed as well, surely?’

‘As it happens, no, it would not,’ Grace announced triumphantly. ‘Because neither Darius nor Francis were in residence to receive such a note!’

‘Indeed?’

Grace glared at him. ‘You already knew they were not!’

He shrugged broad shoulders. ‘Darius did mention to me that he and Francis might be returning to London in the next few days. It would seem that Francis is recovered enough for Darius to have made good on that intention.’

‘Lucian—’

‘Grace,’ he interrupted mildly, standing up, his height and breadth of shoulder at once dominating the room. ‘The movements of your guardian are none of our concern.’

‘None of my concern, you mean,’ Grace guessed easily, her frustration only increasing. ‘You knew that Darius and Francis were to leave.’

Lucian met her accusing gaze with a calmness that was deceptive. As deceptive as almost his every word had been for the last four days. Damn Darius. And damn Francis. In fact, he damned everyone and everything that was keeping him and Grace at such loggerheads.

He would much rather be making love with Grace than arguing with her. Even if she did look enchantingly beautiful when she was angry. Especially as she looked so enchantingly beautiful when she was angry!

He moved with the intention of taking her in his arms. ‘Grace—’

‘Do not attempt to distract me, Lucian,’ she warned, as she took a step away from his reaching hands.

‘Do I distract you, Grace?’ he encouraged huskily.

‘You know that you do.’ Her frown was censorious. ‘Why have Darius and Francis returned to London?’

Lucian gave a firm shake of his head. ‘I am sorry, Grace, but I have no intention of discussing this matter with you.’

‘You are not sorry at all!’ She glared. ‘In fact, you are the most annoying, most infuriating man I have ever—Let go of me, Lucian!’ she instructed fiercely as his arms moved firmly about her. ‘I told you I would not be distracted—’ Her words came to an abrupt end as Lucian claimed her lips with his own.

It had been too long since he had held her like this, Lucian realised. Far, far too long!

‘Lucian…!’ Grace groaned weakly as his lips left hers to trail warmly, hotly, down the length of her throat. She could not, would not, allow herself to be distracted from her purpose in coming here. ‘No, Lucian.’ She pushed against his chest in an effort to move away from him. ‘Someone may come in and find us here together like this.’ She struggled to maintain the sanity that was fast eluding her.

‘To the devil with someone!’ he growled low in his throat, and he leant back against the front of the desk to pull Grace in tightly against his thighs.

Hard, aroused thighs that brought a flush to Grace’s cheeks. Dear God, how she loved this man, Grace acknowledged as she looked up into the hard beauty of his face. Those brown eyes were warm and compelling, those chiselled lips a temptation she was finding it increasingly difficult to resist.