Page 12 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘Upon what?’
‘Upon you.’
‘I don’t see how.’
‘Then permit me to enlighten you. My actions are dependent upon your willingness to entertain me.’
‘What!’
‘Don’t look so outraged, Mrs Smith. You are a courtesan of some sophistication and must know precisely what I have in mind. Nevertheless I shall articulate my terms, since it’s obvious that you wish to hear them spoken aloud. I require you to meet me in the summerhouse this evening.’ He waved toward the structure in question, as though she didn’t already know its location perfectly well. ‘Once my mother has retired for the night, naturally. You’re already skilled at leaving the house when she’s abed, so that shouldn’t prove an impediment.’
He was serious. He actually wanted her to go through with this. Florentina felt her heart bang painfully against her ribs as she considered the awkwardness of her position. She’d been neatly outmanoeuvred and had little choice but to acquiesce. She knew that but reacted instinctively and her next words slipped past her lips before she could do anything to prevent them.
‘Dios mío,that is a most scandalous proposition!’
‘Come, come, Florentina…I may address you as Florentina, may I not? It seems rather ridiculous to remain on formal terms, given what I know about your true character. And given, of course, that we’re destined to become much more intimately acquainted.’
‘Well, really, I don’t?’
‘Such reticence, madam?’ He quirked a brow. ‘Surely you must be used to being propositioned in such a manner in your line of work.’
‘Most of my gentlemen are better mannered.’
‘Most of your gentlemen don’t know you to be a liar and a cheat.’
Florentina’s initial despair—and, yes, excitement—at being propositioned by him was replaced by a fiery anger she could no longer contain. She suspected it must be reflected in her eyes but it merely caused him to chuckle.
‘I’m waiting for your response, Mrs Smith. And I ought to warn you that I’m not renowned for my patience.’
‘So that’s the price I must pay for your silence, is it? If I don’t meet you and allow you to use me in whatever manner you wish, you’ll tell your mother what I really am, regardless of the damage it will do to her feelings?’
‘You should have thought about that before you set out to deceive her.’
She sighed. ‘Well then, my lord, you leave me with very little choice. If you give me your word that you won’t tell her what you know, then I will agree to your terms.’
Florentina was shaking but it wasn’t only as a consequence of her anger. She recalled the strange yearnings that had assailed her the previous evening when she’d listened to his lordship engaged in carnal relations with Christine. Well, it appeared that her wish to know him better was on the verge of becoming reality. Despite not having a notion how to go about playing the part of a doxy, she was still irrationally excited by the prospect of surrendering to Lord Fitzroy. She found the courage to look into his eyes and what she saw there shook her to the core. He was still talking to her in the same discourteous manner. But the emotion reflected in the depths of his stormy eyes spoke of genuine desire. He wanted her a great deal more than he was willing to reveal, and that knowledge afforded her a modicum of satisfaction.
‘I don’t recall giving my word to remain silent,’ he drawled. ‘That rather depends upon whether or not you please me.’
‘If I please you!’ She snatched her hand away from his arm. ‘Well, of all the arrogant, self-righteous…’
Her words spluttered to a halt when she realised he was laughing at her. Actually laughing! He ought to laugh more often. It relaxed the grip of winter on his eyes and changed the entire tenor of his face. Not that she’d given him much cause to laugh whilst in her company. But still, if he really did wish to bed her then he might at least try to make himself a little more agreeable.
‘I should have thought that would present few difficulties to someone of your experience. Christine’sladiesare nothing if not highly skilled when it comes to affording their customers pleasure. That is, after all, theirraison d’être.’
‘In spite of the affection in which you clearly hold Christine herself,’ Florentina said, pushed beyond endurance by his superior attitude, ‘you seem to have scant respect for the exponents of her profession. But has it occurred to you, my lord,’ she asked, smiling sweetly up at him, ‘that for Christine and those of us like her to flourish, we must be assured of a steady flock of gentlemen callers such as yourself? If we’re beneath your contempt, what does that make you?’
‘Rich enough to be able to afford the best.’ He appeared amused rather than offended by her outburst.
He raised a hand and traced the outline of her cheek in a strangely tender gesture that belied his earlier anger. She didn’t want him to touch her but, mesmerized by the feel of his fingers gently caressing her face, she was unable to pull away.
‘I can see that I was right about you,’ he said, almost to himself. ‘You are fiery and passionate but Iwilltame you, Mrs Smith. I will break that independent spirit of yours and bend you to my will. Never doubt it for a moment.’
‘But I have not yet agreed to?’
‘I shall await your pleasure this evening, and I strongly advise you not to disappoint me.’
He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her standing in the centre of the path that led to the stables. He didn’t bow, nor did he lift his hat. He clearly didn’t have sufficient respect for her to bother with the usual courtesies. He simply strode away in the direction of the main house and didn’t once look back.
