Page 15 of The Moonstone Marquess
“You won’t hurt Lady Phoebe either, will you?” She looked up at him with innocent eyes, awaiting an answer that was not immediately forthcoming.
Finally, he nodded. “You are all safe and under my protection. I’ll do my best never to hurt her.”
They finished breakfast, and the marquess agreed to meet them back at Moonstone Cottage within the hour. “I’ll have my carriage brought around to take us into the village. Chloe, we can drop you off at the church if you like.”
“Thank you. Yes, that would be perfect. I’ll grab a ride home with Prudence afterward.”
While Chloe ran upstairs to help the girls brush their hair and change into proper outfits, Phoebe walked him to the door.
“You are not happy with me,” he stated while they waited for Mr. Hawke to bring Hadrian around.
“Should I be? Being pleasant around your nieces does not absolve you of all your sins.”
“No one other than you would ever care or consider marrying a marquess a hurtful thing.”
“That is their choice. I cannot marry for less than love.”
“No, you cannot marry for less than a sacred promise from your husband never to stray. Most men stray. They are still good husbands who protect and provide for their families. You are punishing me for being honest about it.”
“I am not punishing you at all. I am telling you I will never marry you, so you needn’t concern yourself with my feelings. I shall never be your wife. Go find someone who wants you only for your wealth and won’t care whose bed you warm.” She grunted and shook her head. “This is so typical of you.”
“What?”
“You act as though you are the one being put upon, but did you ever consider how you have imposed on me?”
“What do you mean?”
“I did not want to kiss you, but you went ahead and kissed me anyway.”
“Women do not complain when I kiss them.”
She frowned at him. “Well, I am lodging a complaint. Do you think I waited a lifetime for a first kiss only to be kissed by a drunk who could not even tell whether he was kissing me or the backside of my horse?”
He stared at her. “Your first?”
“That’s right, and it should have been something special, something to treasure. Instead, it was you.”
He grinned.
Of all the gall!
“Now I will have to blot it from my memory,” she grumbled.
“No, you won’t. You cannot because you like me more than you will ever admit. You also liked my kiss, although I truly am sorry I reeked of brandy. That was not well done of me. I’ll kiss you again tonight, and I promise you will like it.”
“Lord, you are dense. I mentioned it because I want younotto kiss me ever again.” She pushed him toward his horse, not caring if he stumbled and the beast trampled him.
But he was too big and solid, so he hardly budged despite her shove. “Oh, Phoebe, now who is lying to themselves? I’ll pick you up within the hour. I’ll order a special ice for you at Mrs. Halsey’s shop, a flavor just perfect for you…sour grapes.”
She gasped and then looked up at him with her fiercest scowl.
He merely blew her a kiss and rode off.
Was he really going to kiss her tonight?
No, he was merely threatening the deed in order to tease her. Wasn’t he?
So why did she now feel disappointed?
