Page 30 of Stealing a Scoundrel's Heart
“What do widows need?” Alister asked as they stepped out onto the terrace.
She turned to face forward and then up at Alister. Marjorie mulled over the unexpected question and then confessed, “I’ve not given it much thought.”
“Perhaps I should have asked what is it thatyouneed?”
If Alister had posed the question to her upon their first meeting, she would have denied needing anything from a stranger. But Alister was no longer a stranger. He was what she needed—a scoundrel with a heart.
Damn. Damn. Damn. What was he thinking posing such a question? Alister sighed. “You need not answer. I should have said—”
Marjorie stopped and looked up at him. “I missed you?”
“Yes.” He glanced about the gardens. They were still in plain sight of the terrace windows. Alister escorted her deeper into the gardens away from prying eyes. Safely behind a tall hedge, he stopped and wound his arms behind him so as not to haul her to him and kiss her senseless. “I shouldn’t have fled that day. I should have stayed. Can you forgive me?”
“Why did you leave?”
“Out of fear, stupidity, pride… shall I go on?”
Marjorie shook her head. She wasn’t smiling nor was she frowning as she asked, “Then why did you come here today?”
“Did you not wish to see me?”
“I did. Did you wish not wish to see me? I’ve been back in town for days.”
“I’ve been holed up at my club. I wasn’t aware you had returned until the Duke of Fairmont showed up yesterday to inform me.”
“So you came because Benedict summoned you… am I correct?”
“Not entirely.”
Her gaze shifted from his eyes lower to his lips and then back up to his eyes. Did she want to kiss him as badly as he wanted to kiss her?
“Then why. Why did you come?”
He didn’t have an eloquent answer and none were forthcoming. Marjorie was too close for his mind to work. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, “What if I told you I came for a kiss?”
She rolled up onto the balls of her feet, cupped his face, and kissed him. A smoldering kiss that made his toes curl in his boots. A first for him.
Marjorie’s tongue collided with his and his brain finally came to life.
He needed this woman.
Alister pulled back and looked down into Marjorie’s eyes intending to tell her that he would never leave her side again, except Marjorie wasn’t done kissing him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and guided him back to her moist pink lips. He’d tell her later.
“Ahem.”
Marjorie jumped back. Alister stepped in front of her to face the Duke of Fairmont.
The duke crossed his arms over his chest. “I did not invite you here to ravish Marrie in the gardens.”
Marjorie whipped around him and poked the duke’s arm. “Benedict, mind your own.”
“Marrie, do you know how much trouble I’ll be in if I at least don’t pretend to be angry with this fellow? Dorinda is watching.”
Marjorie glanced back toward the house. “Can she see us from that distance?”
“The woman has the eyesight of an eagle, of course she can see us.” Their host shifted slightly to his left so his wife only had a view of the man’s back. “I know Dorinda wants the best for you, as do I. However, I don’t see the need to rush into any arrangements until the two of you see eye to eye on a certain matter.”
Fairmont was known for his fairness, but Alister placed little stock in hearsay. It was a relief to discover the man was as gracious as others touted.
