Page 37 of A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess

He has a pulse, after all.

Diana decided it’s time to see if this was going somewhere. She decided not to take his advice and be the exact opposite of careful.

“I am starting to think that you were right, My Lord,” she challenged.

“That is rare of you to admit.”

“You did say that gossip was nothing if not exaggerated. It seems that it applies to you, too.”

James scowled and shot her a dark look. He wasn’t stupid. He knew what she was alluding to. For good measure, though, she found it imperative to drive her point home.

She gave him a saccharine smile, so overly sweet that he was already bracing for the sharp sting of her insult.

“Maybe the tales of your reputation had been embellished.Inflated.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “Or your expertise is more… theoretical.”

He straightened to his full height, looking taller, more intimidating. His eyes darkened, and he regarded her like a hunter debating whether he should devour his kill whole now or save some of it for later.

Then, he leaned in slowly.Painfullyslow. The perfectly trimmed pathways of Hyde Park, the promenading lords and ladies, and even her chaperone faded into the background. Their existence was blurred into insignificance as long as he looked at her like that.

“Tell me, Diana,” he almost growled. “Did last night feel theoretical to you?”

No!

Diana simply gave up. There was nothing theoretical about him. He was real, pulsing and… practical. Hearing him growl like that, she realized that maybe she bit more than she could chew. She looked at him, all challenge lost.

“Welcome to our second promenade, My Lord.” She blushed.

He didn’t argue. He knew exactly what she was talking about and wouldn’t even waste his breath on denying it.

“And now that I am here? What should we do about it, My Lady?”

“You are asking me? It’s a good thing I’m not paying for your services, My Lord. Your reputation suggested I would be receiving far better guidance. Should I reconsider my investment?”

He laughed at that.

Diana felt a surge of pride rushing through her. It seemed easy to make him lose control like he almost did last night. But to make him laugh? To make himtrulylaugh? That was rare.

“I was merely trying to get an answer out of you,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Ah, so you fancy yourself a Socrates, then? I thought he was executed for being an unbearable nuisance.”

“Not before he changed the world with his words. Will you have me drink hemlock before I can share my wisdom with you?”

“I wouldn’t dream about it, My Lord. I prefer my philosophers alive. Although if we are comparing you to philosophers, then I’d have to admit that you are closer to Epicurus than Socrates.”

“I see. Is it because he sought pleasure?”

Diana’s jaw dropped. Of all the things she expected when she weaved that analogy, him getting the butt of the joke with such ease was not one of them.

“The lady thought that I was an uneducated rake.” He raised an eyebrow at her.

Diana schooled her expression to mask her surprise and tilted her head with interest. “I must admit that I find it refreshing that youread.”

“You unsheathed your sword again, My Lady.” James pretended he was wounded.

“I am sure you will survive. Epicureans are quite resilient, after all.”

“I do not identify myself as one, though.”

---