Page 44 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Owen stood. “I’ve heard enough. I think I will rejoin Ev and Spence.”

“We will see you at dinner,” Adalyn called out as Owen sailed through the doors.

The moment he had closed the door, Tessa turned to her. “Louisa, I think Owen is interested in you—and that is why he believes none of these invited guests will suit you.”

She only wished it were true. “No, you are wrong, Tessa. We have gotten to know each other and I think it is a case of Owen seeing himself as a protective big brother. I doubt anyone I become interested in will pass muster with him. Besides, he has made it quite clear that he has no interest in marriage anytime soon.”

“I believe Owen is interested in you, Louisa,” Adalyn said. “After all, he kissed you. Men don’t kiss a woman unless they are interested in her.”

Panic flooded Louisa and her cheeks burned. Even now, she could feel Owen’s mouth on her breast. His fingers intimately caressing her. The raging orgasm that had erupted, sending her to the heavens and beyond.

Why had Owen told Adalyn what had passed between the two of them?

Embarrassment filled her as she looked at Adalyn, who wore a puzzled expression. “Is there something you are not telling us, Louisa? Your face is flaming. Owen told me he had succumbed to temptation. He even called you beautiful. Did Owen domorethan kiss you?” her cousin demanded.

Relief swept through her. Owen had been a gentleman. He had not revealed to Adalyn the intimacies that had occurred between them.

But the fact he had thought her beautiful made her heart sing.

“Of course not,” she said quickly. “I am merely upset that he shared knowledge of the kiss with you. I thought it was a... private matter.”

“How was his kiss?” Tessa asked eagerly. “I have sensed his interest in you, Louisa. And we have both told you how important kissing is.” Her cousin paused. “Do you have feelings for the earl? Of course, he does seem to be a bit of a rogue. Then again, you are a clever, mature woman and would certainly know how to handle any challenge he presented. If anyone could tame a man such as Danbury, it would be you.”

Louisa fought for a way to answer her cousin without outright lying to her. She refused to admit that Owen stirred things within her. That he made her feel things she had never experienced and how she wished he were the marrying kind.

Because she would accept an offer of marriage from him in an instant.

“I am interested in that answer as well, Louisa,” Adalyn said. “Did the kiss you and Owen exchanged make you believe there could be a future between you?”

“The kiss was pleasant but no,” she said firmly. “We are merely friends.”

“I don’t think so,” Adalyn said. “I have seen something in his eyes when he speaks of you, not to mention you have gone beet red as we have discussed him.”

Oh, dear. Adalyn could be worse than a dog guarding a bone. Louisa had to bring a halt to this conversation for good and make certain the topic would not be brought up again.

“I will not be marrying Lord Danbury,” she said with conviction. “I am looking forward to meeting the gentlemen who will attend the house party.”

Tessa shook her head, doubt reflected in her eyes. “We’ll see.”

It didn’t matter what her two cousins thought. Louisa knew she was right. She would never receive an offer of marriage from Owen because he had no plans to settle down. With anyone.

Especially not her.

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