Free Happily Bedded Bliss: The Rakes of Cavendish Square by Tracy Anne Warren Page B

imagined.
    He narrowed his eyes. “Are you in love with this man and trying to conceal your feelings from me?”
    Gabriel waited, studying her for telltale signs of heartache over the would-be lover who had run off and left her in the lurch. If that was the reason for her reluctance to accept Gabriel as a husband, then everything made far more sense; everything, that is, except her decision to draw him by the lake.
    Or did she have a naughty streak that she couldn’t quite keep tamed and it had gotten out of hand yesterday?
    He knew all about naughty streaks.
    Esme tipped her head to one side, her eyes a clear, guileless blue. “I’m not trying to conceal anything, Lord Northcote. Lord Eversley was a friend, or so I imagined, and now he is gone.”
    “You haven’t answered my question.” Gabriel took a step closer. “Do you love him?”
    “No. I love no man.” Her fine dark brows drew downward in thought. “Well, except for my brothers and uncles and nephews and several male cousins; them I love a very great deal. I am quite fond of several of the servants as well. But if you are asking if I am romantically inclined toward any particular gentleman, then my answer is ‘not at present,’ not that it is any of your concern.”
    He moved another step toward her, putting her within arms’ reach. “If I am to be your husband, then who you love is most definitely my concern. As for romantic interests, there will be none, now or in the future, is that understood? I will not tolerate affairs or flirtations with other men from my wife.”
    A small silence fell.
    Something sparked in her gaze. “And may I expect the same of you, should I decide to accept yourproposal? Which you have never actually made me, might I add.”
    His lips twitched, leaving him unable to decide if he should be annoyed or amused. She had a spirit and forthrightness that he could not help but admire.
    “You are quite correct, Lady Esme. Everyone would already have us married and yet I have never officially sought your hand. Under the circumstances, I suppose I thought the exercise moot. However, let us abide by the formalities, by all means. That way there can be no mistaking either of our intentions. Would you prefer that I drop down onto one knee or remain standing?”
    “Do whichever you like, Lord Northcote, since I can tell you will follow your own preferences regardless of mine. Before you decide, however, please be so good as to reply to my earlier question.”
    “And if I choose not to?” he said, making no effort to act as though he didn’t remember what she’d asked.
    “Then I will take your lack of response as a no and assume that you plan to continue your lascivious ways.”
    “And what would a little slip of a girl like you know about my lascivious ways?”
    “Enough to have heard several rather indecent rumors about you during my time in London. Debutantes have ears, you know, even if they might not always understand everything they hear.”
    A smile broke across Gabriel’s face before he tossed back his head and laughed, his chest moving with a kind of honest good humor the likes of which he had not experienced in a very long time.
    It felt good. Almost too good.
    Far too quickly, he sobered, gazing into her vibrant eyes, which reminded him of warm, rain-shadowed summer skies. “You are unexpected, Lady Esme, I will give you that. Most unexpected.”
    “And your answer?”
    He said nothing as he considered what she asked. Was he ready to give up his life of loose women and wild debauchery? He’d spent years sampling all thatthe fairer sex had to offer; would he now be content to confine himself to just a single woman? Admittedly, Esme Byron was exquisite and tempted him as none had for some time. He could already imagine what it would be like to kiss those lush lips and touch that pretty white skin of hers. As for how she would taste, well, he expected she would be every bit as succulent as the finest Château Margaux in