Page 100 of The Lord Meets His Lady
Twenty-four
The back of his fingers traced her jaw, the caress muddying clear thought.
“There is one thing I want to ask of you,” he said.
“The way you touch me, milord, you could ask anything and I’d agree to it.”
With his brown hair slicked back, the curls falling around his neck, Lord Bowles was just as handsome as when he was properly combed and shaved. Searching his face, Genevieve would venture to say he was more desirable now…exuding a heady mix of dangerous and vulnerable at the same time. Best of all, his humor touched her as much as his unexpected care with horses. This man, her husband of convenience, surprised her. He was nothing like the roving London scoundrel.
“Tomorrow night’s entertainment at Baron Atal’s estate… I want you with me. As Lady Bowles.”
She stiffened. “I’d do anything except that.”
“Why?”
“You know very well why. I’m not the kind of woman who’d be welcome there.” She pulled away from his beguiling hand. “I thought our arrangement would stay private.”
His hand flopped back in the tub. “You’re my wife. I see no reason to keep quiet about that.”
“Have you gone daft? News will spread and do you more harm than good.”
“I do what I want.”
“Of course you do. That’s why you’re here. To stay out of trouble.” She shook her head. “This isn’t playacting, milord.”
“I’m aware of that. I don’t need a lecture from someone of your years.”
A spurt of laughter escaped her. “Then why the odd request?”
Lord Bowles stared ahead. Moments ticked by, measured by his chest expanding and contracting. “Your presence has an effect on me like a tonic on a bad day.”
As compliments went, his words failed to illuminate the things women craved adoration for: beauty, flowing locks, or a graceful step. Yet Lord Bowles struck her heart with the sweetest arrow. He needed her.
Was this about his love of whiskey?
His fine profile was dark against the whitewashed wall. The corners of his mouth tensed. Did he fear giving in to the craving tomorrow night? Lord Bowles was born to the frivolity that would go on at Castle Atal. Men… She’d seen enough to know, they tried to outdrink, outwench, outboast one another.
Was he feeling out of sorts with that crowd? It was hard to believe since he blended well with everyone. But he needed her, and that was a powerful tug.
“I’ll consider it, milord.” She brushed her skirt over her knees. “Though what I hear from Lily Dutton is that news of our elopement may spread despite our best efforts.”
“How’s that?”
“Coldstream being close to Cornhill. I told Lily, but she says people will talk.”
“Then there’s no need to keep it a secret.”
“It’s one thing for villagers to gossip. Quite another when people of your class know about me. What about your family?”
“That’s my concern, not yours.” He shifted in the tub, sending small waves across the water’s surface. “For all we know, my brother may have found himself a wife.”
She grinned. “It’s funny that you beat him to it.”
“So it is.” He paused, not breaking his gaze. “Then we are agreed. We proceed as Lord and Lady Bowles.”
Hearing the title gave her heart an awful squeeze. “I don’t remember agreeing, milord.”
He pinched her skirt. “Do you need a new gown?”
