Free His Courtesan Bride (Brides of Mayfair 3) by Michelle McMaster Page B

assume it would be with him?
    “You’re quite confident in your skills as a lover, aren’t you, Darius?” Serena said. “Keep in mind that I was an innocent girl when you seduced me in that garden. And while I am still a virgin, I am much more educated about lovemaking than I was then. Perhaps I have higher expectations now. Are you quite certain you could satisfy them?”
    He glanced at her, and even in that quick look, Serena saw that he was impressed with her reply. “There’s only one way to find out. If you’re as brave as I think you are, you will accept my offer, so we can, at long last, finish what we started.”
    “It’s not that simple, Darius,” she replied. “There is much for me to consider. The Duke of Balfour has made a generous offer as well. I must give both careful consideration.”
    His expression darkened, and he said, “The duke is no match for you, Serena. And to be honest, the thought of him touching you makes me want to rip his throat out.”
    Serena felt a thrill shimmy up her spine at Darius’s admission. He was jealous. Which was exactly what she wanted—an eye for an eye.
    “Well then, if you can’t stomach the thought of another man’s hands on me, I suggest you endeavor not to think about it,” she replied, curtly. “Because it is definitely a possibility. And if you want me as badly as you claim, then you’ll have to do something about it, because the duke has made me an offer I cannot refuse. I’d be a fool to turn him down. So, if you truly want to woo me, use your wealth, for romance will no longer work with me, my lord. Especially with you.”
    The phaeton pulled back toward the crowd that still lingered about Lady Devlyn’s landau, and came to a stop. An unnamed gentleman seemed only too pleased to assist Serena out of the vehicle.
    Before Darius could say anything more, she turned and headed into the throng. Her admirers cleared a path for her and she walked down it with her chin held high and her eyes looking straight ahead. And though she didn’t turn back to look at Darius, she felt the heat of his stare boring into her back as she walked away from him.
    Serena approached the landau, and Major Price made ready to hop down.
    “Miss Ransom has returned,” he said gallantly as he strode toward her. “I daresay your name is well-earned, my lady, as you hold each and every man here ransom with the power of your beauty. As do all of you ladies.” He kissed Serena’s hand before helping her up into the carriage to rejoin her friends.
    “Did you enjoy your ride with Lord Kane?” Lady Devlyn asked as Serena settled in across from her.
    “It was refreshing,” she replied. “If one considers riding about with someone you despise ‘refreshing.’”
    Just then, the Duke of Balfour came up beside them, sitting astride a magnificent white stallion. “Good day, ladies,” he said, charmingly. Then his gaze went to Darius, and he looked perturbed. “I hope Lord Kane was cautious as he drove you about, Miss Ransom. I have seen him race that phaeton before, and I cannot say I care for his driving.”
    “I assure you, Lord Kane was quite careful with me, Your Grace,” Serena replied. “As you can see, the crush of traffic in the Park would prevent anyone from driving too fast.”
    “Good thing,” the duke muttered.
    “Have no fear, Your Grace,” Darius called out, “when Miss Ransom is in my care, she is in very good hands.”
    Darius locked eyes with her then, and Serena wanted to look away from the fire that blazed there. But she couldn’t. The man still had power over her, even from a distance.
    The duke bristled at Darius’s innuendo as Darius gave her one last look before turning his team away in the other direction. He steered the sleek phaeton back into the traffic of Rotten Row, and disappeared from sight.
    Serena wondered if Darius would take up the challenge she had laid out before him. Would he woo her with his wealth? If so, how far would he go to