To Pleasure a Lady by Nicole Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

me?”
    â€œThen apply to any of them. Doubtless they will be deliriously happy to accept. I would not.”
    Her retort brought a genuine grin to his lips. “I don’t want any other woman. I have chosen you, Arabella, and I mean to have you.”
    Her mouth dropped open. The infernal arrogance of the man!
    No longer desiring to continue this impossible conversation, Arabella whirled and headed across the meadow to retrieve her grazing horse.
    The earl’s next words, however, made her halt in her tracks. “I
could
make you deliriously happy, Arabella. You would enjoy our marriage bed, I have no doubt.”
    Unsure whether to be offended or amused by his bold declaration, she turned back to face him. “Rather boastful of you, is it not, my lord?”
    â€œIt is no boast. You would relish being my lover, I would make certain of it. But the only honorable way for us to be lovers is through marriage.”
    She was too exasperated to reply—which was likely his intention; he was attempting to keep her off balance by throwing such brazen statements at her.
    Her silence made him smile again. “I admit I am intensely attracted to you,” he continued, “and you felt it too when we kissed, don’t deny it. You were quivering with desire for me.”
    Color stained Arabella’s cheeks. She
had
quivered in his arms…although she certainly would never admit it to him.
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous,” she replied. “It was simply shock at your assault. I could not believe you would act like such a brute. I assure you, I am not attracted to you in the least.”
    He took a step closer. “Shall I prove it to you?”
    â€œIf you dare try, I swear I will box your ears!”
    His blue eyes danced with restrained amusement as he reached up to rub his injured jaw. A faint bruise discolored the spot where she had struck him, Arabella noticed. She was ashamed for a moment, until she recalled what had precipitated her struggle—how the earl had hauled her from her horse unceremoniously and refused to release her even after kissing her witless. Or perhaps she had reacted with such desperation precisely
because
he had kissed her witless.
    He did not seem intimidated by her threat now, however. “If you were aiming for my ear, love, I take leave to tell you, you missed by a few inches.”
    He was deliberately provoking her, she knew very well. And his tactics were working. Arabella curled her hands into fists, barely refraining from marching up to him and taking another swing at his handsome face. “You are without a doubt the most infuriating man I have ever met, Lord Danvers.”
    â€œPerhaps, but only because I haven’t properly exerted myself to please you. You wouldn’t be able to resist me if I seriously tried to woo you.”
    Her mouth fell open. “Of course I would be able to resist you!”
    â€œWould you care to wager on that?”
    At his dulcet tone, Arabella suddenly felt wary again. “What do you mean, wager?”
    â€œHow important is your independence to you?”
    â€œI beg your pardon?” Her head was beginning to spin once more from Lord Danvers’s unexpected offensive.
    â€œWhat are you willing to do for emancipation from my guardianship?”
    A great deal,
was her immediate thought. “Why?”
    â€œI cannot renounce my responsibility for you, but I can have my solicitor draw up a legal document granting you complete control over your own affairs. For you
and
your sisters.”
    â€œTo what end?”
    â€œTo provide me a legitimate opportunity to court you.”
    â€œTo
court
me? Why the devil would you want to court me? I already told you I won’t marry you under any circumstances.”
    â€œI want the chance to change your mind. If I cannot persuade you to accept me for your husband in say, a month, I will give all three of you your freedom and make you legally and