“Do tell.” A sound as cool as the winter sea.
“Are you always so off-putting?” he asked with a smile.
“Always,” she replied, without a smile.
But she hadn’t said no and she was still talking to him, he observed, skilled at recognizing interest in a woman-however minuscule in this instance. He pressed on. “I shan’t mince words, then. Here’s what I had in mind: If you would be willing to offer me your friendship, I would endeavor to see that Harriet is launched in the ton. Not by me personally, which wouldn’t do, but Catherine could be induced to serve as her patroness. Now, you know as well as I that Harriet doesn’t give a fig whether she marries me or some other wealthy nobleman. Don’t feign surprise; it’s clear as the nose on her face. Should I go on?” he unnecessarily inquired. Claire was clearly listening.
“Yes.”
Miss Russell would make an excellent gambler, he thought. No emotion was evident on her face. “Very well. Once Harriet has entree into society, she will be besieged by any number of suitors, many of whom would be more than willing to marry such a lovely young woman. At the risk of offending you, might I point out that aristocratic men are rarely attuned to a woman’s sensibilities, only their beauty. And in that regard, Harriet will outshine her competition. I’ll wager you she’ll be engaged within the month. So you see, I shan’t break her heart and she will have the fine marriage she wants.”
“You’re very generous.”
“I want you to be happy.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “Damned if I know. Ask Catherine. She understands me better than anyone.”
“Apropos this friendship of ours. What duration did you have in mind?”
“We’ll have to see.”
“How soon do you normally get bored with a woman?”
“Does anything ever excite you?” he queried, not sure if he should take umbrage or be grateful for her dispassionate view of his proposal.
“Any number of things excite me. But acquit me, Ormond, of wild excitement over being bought and paid for by a man like you.”
“Would some other kind of man elicit wild excitement in you?”
“Perhaps.”
“Then I should endeavor to become that man.”
“You can’t.”
“So sure?”
“Very sure.”
“If I should be mindful to try anyway, would you allow it?”
“For a month? Why not? You did promise my sister would be engaged within a month, did you not?”
“And she shall be.”
“Only to a man of her choice.”
“Of course. What did you think?”
“You have enough money to buy someone-that’s what I thought.”
Like you, he reflected, but kept his tongue. “It must be a man of her choice. My word on it.”
“How will I know that you’ll keep your word if I agree to this proposal of yours?”
“Catherine will vouch for me. Privately, of course,” he added to allay the sudden fear in her eyes.
A heavy silence fell.
He spoke first because he was more impatient-or less apprehensive. “I would not dream of forcing you in any way. I mean it most sincerely. Although,” he added with the faintest of smiles, “may I remind you now of the time. If you wish to get ready for tonight, we should leave.”
“Very well,” she said.
Unsure of her meaning, he inquired, “Very well what?”
“Very well, you may take me to your bed.”
“You make it sound like a penance.”
“We do not all live in the beau monde, Ormond, where amorous love is a form of entertainment. To people like me, love is love not sex. To simply agree to have sex with you because your bored gaze has fallen on me at the moment is not an easy decision.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it like?”
“I don’t know. I wish I did.” Suddenly he was tired of coaxing and cajoling and explaining the unexplainable. “Do you want to or don’t you?” he asked, gruffly. “It’s up to you.”
“No, it’s up to you. You hold all the cards, Ormond. And for my sister’s sake, I’ll play your game.”
He almost said, Forget it. I don’t have to beg for sex. But something stopped him. “Then allow me to escort you home, Miss Russell,” he cordially offered.
“Don’t you ever get angry, Ormond?”
“Only hope you never see me angry,” he softly replied. “Shall we?” He offered her his arm.
A shiver raced up her spine as she placed her hand on his forearm.
Was it fear or something more provocative?
She looked up to find him staring at her.
“I think we’ll muddle along just fine, Miss Russell,” he murmured, as though he knew something she didn’t know. “You please me immeasurably.”
Chapter Six
The carriage ride was largely silent, both occupants immersed in their own thoughts. Or in the case of the viscount-in making plans.
He didn’t feel he could press Claire now for times and places.
But that didn’t curtail him from speculating on appropriate venues.
Nor did it diminish his buoyant good cheer.
First things first, though. He must see that Harriet made an appropriate splash tonight.
Feeling it would be acceptable to at least discuss Harriet’s entree into society, he said, “If you’ll excuse me tonight, I plan to pay considerable attention to your sister. At the risk of sounding vain, it will add to her consequence.”
“I understand.”
He could barely hear her reply. “You are distraught. I’m sorry.”
“Are you?”
He held her gaze for a moment, understanding what she meant. “Not completely, I’m afraid,” he said with a sigh. “Forgive me.”
“I would be more apt to forgive you if you were less mercenary.”
“If I were truly mercenary, I would accept your sister’s overtures and discard her when I was done.”
Claire grimaced. “She is truly naive.”
“Not entirely,” he softly replied. “And I don’t mean to impugn your sister’s character, but she has a kind of determination that’s not uncommon with women who are-” he hesitated.
“Looking to ensnare a husband,” she finished with a small sigh. “I understand and I don’t mean to be ungrateful, Ormond.”
“James, please.”
“You must know I am unsettled by all this.”
“I’ll treat you kindly.” He touched her hand. “You have my word.”
She looked away before she met his gaze once again. “And Harriet will have her husband.”
“I promise.”
“Very well,” she said as if she were mounting the scaffold. “I shall endeavor to please you.”
“You do without trying. Just looking at you makes me smile.” The outrageous significance of his remark went unnoticed, so beguiled was he by her sudden smile. “There now. That’s better. Ah, here we are. Save a dance for me tonight, Miss Russell.”
“Claire.”
“Thank you.” Stepping from the carriage, he turned and offered her his hand.
As she placed her fingers on his palm, she felt a delicious, heated jolt race from her fingertips through her body with such velocity, she gasped.
He heard and engulfed her small hand in his for the briefest of moments. “Until tonight,” he murmured, his voice hushed and low, helping her step to the pavement before releasing her hand. “I may need more than one dance,” he whispered. “I hope you don’t mind.”
What she minded was that she couldn’t resist his allure. “What if I said I minded?”
His smile was instant. “I wouldn’t believe you.”
“Damn you,” she muttered.
“I have no control either if it helps,” he said. “I’m seriously thinking about throwing you back into my carriage and taking you somewhere far away, and damn the consequences.”
“Easy for you to say,” she pointedly retorted.