Page 14 of One Night of Temptation
“They wouldn’t dare. They laugh less than I do.” He smirked, especially as he tried to think of Gabriel, his eldest brother, so much as chuckling.
“I’m trying to think back, and I don’t recall you laughing today. Maybe a chuckle, but nothing more.”
“I did laugh.” He cocked his head to the side. “You, however, genuinely laughed when we discussed Maisie and Joseph.” The memory of that warm sound teased a smile to his lips.
Her eyes glowed with something that might have been merriment. “It was your sarcasm.”
“Sarcasm was the primary form of humor in my house growing up.”
“Mine didn’t have any humor, sarcastic or otherwise.” She looked toward the window, then shot him a quick look. “That wasn’t sarcasm, by the way, but I can see where you might think it was.”
No, he didn’t think that. She’d drawn a troublesome picture of her family.
He moved the conversation back to where they’d been. “I told you about the wife I’m looking for. What are your requirements for a husband?”
“Kindness.” The word came fast but soft, and he waited for her to continue. She didn’t. She picked up her glass and drank more of her brandy.
Before he could speak, she reached forward and dug into the basket. Withdrawing a slice of bread, she asked, “Shall we have bread and cheese?”
He found the cheese and broke off a piece to hand to her. She held out her palm, and his fingertips grazed her skin as he gave her the cheese. Their gazes connected, and his hand lingered over hers for a moment before he forced himself to move it away.
He busied himself with a slice of bread and a hunk of his own cheese. They ate for a moment, and he pondered what he knew of her.
She’d concocted a scheme—with help—to ruin herself in order to avoid marriage. Yet, she wasn’t entirely opposed to marriage, and she desired a husband who was kind. She came from a cold family and possessed a charming demeanor and had evenflirtedwith him. Lady Penelope was a complicated young woman, and Hugh wondered if he could even begin to unravel her secrets in the night they had before them.
He also wondered if he should even try.
But why shouldn’t he? What else would they do besides play cards?
Furthermore, he wanted to. In fact, he was desperate to.
From the corner of his eye, he saw the bed. A night alone with a beautiful woman in a room with a bed would typically be a welcome predicament, particularly for a rector who’d rarely had female company since becoming a deacon six years before and hadn’t had any since becoming rector of St. Giles. At first, it was because he was simply busy and dedicated to his work. However, it became apparent after a few months that he could set an example for the denizens of St. Giles by embracing the virtue of chastity. It wasn’t always easy, especially at this particular moment.
“I love cheese,” she said with charming satisfaction.
“Do you? What kind?”
“All kinds, but I am especially fond of cream cheese. I would probably put it on everything if I was allowed to do so.”
“Everything? I suppose, for you, it would improve the taste of ale.”
She was about to take a bite of bread and cheese, but she paused. And she giggled, the honeyed sound filling his senses and making him grin in return. “Yes, I daresay it would.” Her brows arched briefly as she took her delayed bite.
“I also like cheese, but then I must since I am from Wiltshire. However, my favorite is Stilton.”
“Mmm.” She pressed her lips together to make the sound, and he swore he felt it in the pit of his belly. “I didn’t like it at first—too strong. But I’m afraid there isn’t a cheese I won’t devour.”
She said this with such conviction and fervor that for a brief moment he longed to be a wedge of cheese. Which was absolutely absurd. And shocking. No, the shocking part was the way in which Lady Penelope, a high-society miss, was charming him. She was lively, intelligent, and gracious.
He leaned back in his chair as he contemplated her. “Now I see why you want a husband who is kind.”
“Why?” she asked with a hint of wariness.
“Because you’ve a kind heart.” The moment between them lengthened as they looked at each other wordlessly. Something gathered in his chest, something that made him feel protective and warm and…eager for the night ahead.
He reached for the cards in the basket. “Shall we play piquet?”
Chapter 4
