Page 14 of The Moonstone Marquess
She did not want this man stealing her heart.
He had already stolen her first kiss when he, in his drunken and dissolute state, had drawn her up against his body and planted his lips on hers. He hadn’t even flinched when she punched him in the nose. She ought to punch him again now that he was more alert.
Did he even realize what he had done?
She always meant to save herself for the man of her dreams—whoever he might be—waiting for the right moment, the magical night and the perfect gentleman, and then this oaf had come along and simply presumed to kiss her. “Infernal, unmitigated clot.”
However, as angry as she was about it, she resolved to be cordial when he joined them an hour later for breakfast.
*
He strode inwith his typical arrogance, but his affection for his nieces was unmistakably genuine.
Those little girls worshiped him. Their eyes shone with love, and they had the broadest smiles whenever they looked at him.
“Good morning, my lord.”
“Good morning, Phoebe. Good morning, my little ducklings.” To his credit, he felt the same love for them.
He was kindness itself toward these girls. Funny and charming, too.
Why could he not be this way all the time?
Well, he wouldn’t be him if he were pleasant all the time, Phoebe supposed. Around anyone else but those girls, he had a dangerous edge that some women found thrilling.
She didn’t.
He had called her a lioness, but he was the dangerous lion who held the power to tear her to bits. He could easily break her heart if she ever allowed him close.
“Well, Phoebe? What do you say?” he asked, arching an eyebrow as he awaited her response.
The pulse at the base of her throat began to beat wildly. “Do forgive me—I was not following the conversation. Would you repeat your question?”
He grinned. Did he have to look so handsome when he smiled?
“I suggested we take a boat ride around the harbor this morning and then stop for ices at Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop. Does this meet with your approval?”
“What about your guests? Do you not have to—”
“They won’t be up before noon. Melrose shall steer them to the dining room for a late breakfast buffet. I won’t be missed.”
“I see. All right. That sounds like a good plan. What do you think, girls?”
Ella and Imogen cheered.
Chloe turned to her. “I promised Prudence I would help her at the church this morning. Would you mind terribly if I missed the boat ride and ices?”
Drat.
That would leave Phoebe alone with the marquess. But his nieces would be with them, so she supposed it was all right. “Give my regards to Prudence. I believe you met our cousin in London, my lord. She was with Hen and Cain when they married. She is now married to Cain’s estate manager, Mr. Weston. Do you know him?”
He nodded. “A very good man. Send them my regards, Chloe.”
Apparently determining that this conversation was settled, he turned to his nieces and emitted a playful roar that had them squealing in delight. “So it is to be just us and Lady Phoebe, my ducklings. Can she protect you from the big, bad marquess?”
Imogen jumped on his lap and hugged him. “You’re not big and bad. You would never hurt us.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “Of course I never would.”
