A Scandalous Proposal by Julia Justiss Read Free Book Online Page A

the thought tempted! Mayhap he’d never press for repayment. Mayhap he’d smile, and leave, and ’twould be the end of it.
    Mayhap he’d be back next month or next year with a proposition she was in no position to refuse.
    No, she mustn’t risk it. Conjuring up the image of her son’s face, she took a deep breath. Her heartbeat accelerated and she felt light-headed.
    You can do this. You will do whatever you must to keep Drew.
    Tentatively she put her hand on the Earl’s arm. She felt his muscles tense, heard his rush of indrawn breath even asshe spoke, her voice near a whisper. “To express my gratitude in any way that pleases you would be my greatest honor.”
    She looked up into his eyes, praying he understood, that she would not have to utter words any more explicit. Her heart thudded in her chest and a flush of shame and anxiety heated her cheeks.
    His eyes searched hers. She forced a smile, though her lips trembled.
    He placed his hand over hers and gripped it tightly. “There is no compulsion.” His eyes glowing brighter, he made a move with his other arm as if to embrace her, then dropped it back to his side. “I don’t wish you to think—”
    â€œI don’t. I know you would never force me.”
    Though he retained her hand, he sat back a little, his eyes dimming as if affronted. “Of course not!” He gave her a twisted smile. “You cannot help but know it is my fondest hope to establish a more…intimate connection, but I would have you do so from desire, not out of— gratitude. ” He almost spat out the word.
    Though the statement nearly choked her, she made herself utter the lie. “’Twould be my fondest hope as well.”
    His body tensed again, his gaze so heated she felt she must go up in flames. “Are you sure?”
    Unable to voice another affirmation, she merely nodded.
    It was enough. He seized both hands and brought them to his lips, kissing them fervently. “If you truly wish it, you make me the happiest man in England.”
    So the die was cast. She felt detached, as if observing the scene from a vast distance. What should she do now? She couldn’t bear the thought of coolly choosing a date and time for the assignation. No, better it begin tonight, lest she be tempted to renege on the bargain.
    Gently she disengaged her fingers. “Let me pour you another port.” She was proud that her voice wobbled only a little. “Now, if you’ll excuse me a moment?”
    Â 
    Evan watched her as, with a sensuous sway of hip, she disappeared through the doorway across the hall from the little parlor. He moved the glass to his lips with shaking hands, then set it back down.
    No, best not drink more of that mind-dulling liquid. He was already too close to losing control. When she’d touched him, it had taken every bit of restraint he could muster to avoid sweeping her into his arms.
    But she’d just invited him to do so, hadn’t she? Normally he’d know just how to proceed, but now…With his body on fire and every nerve screaming at her closeness, he couldn’t be sure he wasn’t misinterpreting her response, was only imagining she shared some part of the enormous desire that consumed him.
    After all, if her story could be believed, and he had no reason to doubt it, she’d been a virgin bride and a faithful wife. Despite what must have been severe pressure to do otherwise, she seemed to have remained chaste even after her husband’s death. Certainly her rejection of the lures cast out by St. Clair and his set confirmed that assessment.
    How she must have loved her soldier-husband, to leave what had obviously been a privileged home and follow him to the privations and dangers of war. Evan felt a swift, irrational flare of jealousy.
    Well, she’d not rebuffed him. He’d given her every opportunity, reiterated his insistence that she owed him no additional