Page 34 of Lucien's Gamble

“Because you love me, of course,” the Duke of Glasser said, with a proud tilt to his chin. “And you’re damned possessive.”

“There you have it!” Amanda gave a triumphant nod. “And you wouldn’t take another woman regardless, because you love me in return.”

Lucien stood immobile by the parlor doors. “Are you saying, Mother, that Julienne won’t marry me because shelovesme?”

Amanda shook her head. “What I’m saying is, Lady Julienne won’t marry you becauseyoudon’t loveher.Or if you do, you won’t admit it.”

“And you believe Fontaine loves her?” he choked out.

“Lucien, it’s not Fontaine’s feelings that matter.” His mother rolled her eyes. “You may be a genius with money, but when it comes to women, you’re positively dense.”

Julienne had quite enough of this conversation. “Thank you very much for your hospitality, Madam Remington, but I’m afraid I must depart now.”

“Like hell.” Lucien blocked the doorway. “You promised me a picnic, and we’re damn well having one.”

“I’m not dressed to go out,” Amanda complained.

“Then we’ll have it here.” He craned his neck into the hallway and yelled for the butler. When the servant appeared, Lucien sent the man to retrieve the basket. Then he looked at Julienne again.

“I’m not feeling well,” she said hoarsely.

Lucien approached her with a soft smile. “Lovesick?”

Her stricken gaze met his. “To hell with you, you conceited man.”

“I’m already there, sweet. I’ve been there since I met you.”

“If I’m such a source of misery for you, why do you seek me out?”

“You are not the source, my love. My own foolishness is.”

Her throat tight, Julienne whispered, “Cease calling me that. We both know it’s not true.”

With gentle fingers, he tucked a stray curl behind her ear, then cupped her cheek. He brushed away an errant tear with his thumb. Lowering his head, he pressed his lips gently to hers, paying no heed to his parents behind him.

“Lucien, your parents …” she whispered, her face flaming with embarrassment.

“Don’t mind us,” Amanda called out. “Just pretend we’re not here.”

Julienne’s mouth twitched. She rather liked Lucien’s parents. “What do you want from me, Lucien?”

“A chance,” he said softly. “Keep Fontaine at bay until the end of the Season.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“Do you love me, Julienne?”

“Lucien …” she breathed, dismayed that he’d asked her so bluntly. “You ask for too much.”

“I ask for time to win you.” His velvety voice curled around her, low and seductive in its promise. “If marriage to me is something you’d never consider, then say so, and I won’t pursue you any further. But if the possibility exists that you would consent to be mine, I want you to give me that chance.”

She pulled back and searched his face. “You’re serious.”

“I am,” he agreed, with a tender smile. “Would you marry me if I could change?”

“I don’t know. I’m not certain we could be happy together. Not for the duration of our lives.”

“And you believe Fontaine can make you happy? How could he, when you are in love with me?”

---