To Tame a Dangerous Lord (Courtship Wars 5)

“You just want to have your way.”

“That, too. But you have a powerful effect on me.” He caught her hand and brought it down to cover the front of his breeches, over his bulging groin. “It is remarkable how aroused I become by merely kissing you. And hearing your cries of pleasure only compounds my ache.”

The knowledge that she had aroused him so thoroughly both thrilled and alarmed her.

Drawing her trembling hand away, Madeline strove to keep her voice even. “What is remarkable is how you refuse to listen to me. I have no desire to marry you.”

“Regardless of your desire, I think you have just compromised me far beyond what is proper, so you might as well accept my proposal.”

“I… compromised you?” She gave a strangled laugh. “I won’t be coerced, Lord Haviland.”

“Of course not.” Placing a finger under her chin, Rayne made her look at him as he fixed her with that brilliant blue gaze. “But I intend to claim you for my wife, sweetheart. So you might as well give in gracefully and spare us the trouble of a lengthy courtship.”

She shivered. Rayne was a man who pursued what he wanted, and in this case, he wanted her. But that didn’t mean she had to oblige him.

As if reading her mind, he shook his head. “You are not allowed to refuse me just yet. I upheld my end of our bargain by letting you accompany me tonight, so you owe me at least a week to consider your answer.”

Madeline paused for a long moment, wondering how on earth she would be able to resist him for so long. But really, it was only fair that she fulfill her side of their bargain. “Very well, one week.”

Her answer would still be no, however, Madeline vowed shakily, even if her refusal filled her with regret and sadness. She was too emotionally vulnerable to Rayne. If they wed, she would surely lose her heart to him and he would never reciprocate.

Not looking at him, Madeline snatched up her cloak from the seat beside her. And since her only safety lay in putting a great distance between them, she moved across the coach to the far corner of the opposite seat.

“I’ll thank you to keep on your side, Lord Haviland,” she muttered as she struggled to don her cloak.

“As you wish, love,” he said easily. “I am satisfied that I made my point tonight.”

He had indeed made his point, Madeline reflected in dismay. Now that she’d had a taste of the excitement and passion Rayne could give her, she only wanted more.

And despite her determination to keep far, far away from him from now on, as she finished fastening the hooks of her drab cloak and prepared to resume her normal dull life, she had the sinking conviction that after tonight, she would never, ever be the same again.

Chapter Eight

It is the height of irony, Maman, to have two noblemen fight a duel over me—a plain, penniless spinster. I can scarcely credit it.

Madeline failed m

iserably in her attempt to forget the intimate interlude in Rayne’s carriage, in part because she had no early duties at the academy Wednesday morning and thus faced several hours to herself, alone with her chaotic thoughts.

To banish her unwanted memories—and to expend some of her fitful energy—Madeline escaped to the formal gardens at the rear of the manor, where she proceeded to cut fresh flowers for half the rooms in Danvers Hall.

She was not quite finished with her task when Freddie Lunsford hailed her as he strolled down the gravel path toward her.

“A very good morning to you, Miss Ellis,” Freddie said cheerfully. “Simpkin told me I could find you here.”

Dropping her gardening sheers into the flower-filled basket at her feet, Madeline turned to greet him with a smile as she drew off her gloves. “Good morning to you also, Mr. Lunsford.”

“I called early in hopes of catching you before your class begins.”

“My class is actually not scheduled until later this morning. My pupils and I plan to take luncheon together so we can pretend we are dining at a Paris hotel.”

“I see. In any event, I wished to give you this.”

Accepting the paper he offered, Madeline realized that Freddie had given her a bank draft, but her eyes widened at the large sum. One hundred pounds was twice the yearly salary she had earned as companion to Lady Talwin.

“It is the reward I promised you,” he explained when she raised her surprised gaze to his.

“But I told you, I do not want a reward.”