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But he only plucked the bouquet from her hands and laid it on the table
near the sofa. He came back to her, bracing his hands on each of her
shoulders so she was forced to look into his face.
"Why don't you want to marry me?" he asked softly.
"I... I..." Claire licked her lips, her gaze fastened on his face. His
eyes were dark, and the sight of his lips so close only reminded her of
last night. It was an effort to keep her thoughts focused.
"We are not suited."
"Nonsense. Give me another reason."
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"I... I did not like being married. I hated it!" She closed her eyes,
humiliated and ashamed at telling him, of all people, how she had
detested it.
She heard his sharp intake of breath, and then felt him rise. She
prayed he would leave her in peace.
But he didn't. The next thing she knew, he was sitting next to her.
"Claire," he said softly.
"Please just go away."
"No." He gently touched her cheek.
"I have no intention of going away.
Not this time. " His hand dropped to catch hers, and he lifted it to
his lips for a brief moment.
"There's no need for you to be afraid. I will not be the same sort of
husband as Ellison." No. She finally looked into his serious,
compelling eyes and knew for certain he would be very different from
Marcus. And it frightened her. Whether he loved her or not, she had
no doubt he would expect her to share his bed and he would want more
from her than passivity. And even if she were mad enough to accept his
proposal he would find her most disappointing.
She took a deep breath.
"You don't understand. I did not like being a wife."
He was silent for a moment, his eyes on her face. She could not tell
what he thought. He finally spoke.
"I am willing to offer you a marriage of convenience until you are
ready to share my bed." His eyes fell to her lips.
"Although I do not think you find my touch entirely repulsive."
A flush stole over her face.
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"No, but..."
"But what?" His hand strayed to brush a lock of hair from her face.
"A few kisses are different from the... the other thing." His hand
stroked her cheek.
"Are they? Usually, under the right circumstances, one leads naturally
to the other."
His touch was hypnotic. She was finding it difficult to both think and
breathe at the same time.
"Does it?"
"Yes." He leaned towards her. She made a feeble effort to shift away,
but he caught her chin. His kiss was leisurely and undemanding,
completely unlike last night's. When he finally lifted his head, she
was shocked to discover she wanted more.
"I think that is enough for today." His voice was oddly husky. He
moved away from her, leaving her feeling strangely bereft.
"I will leave you for now. But be assured I don't intend to give up so
easily this time."
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Chapter Ten
Claire sat on a sofa in one corner of the Duchess of Arundel's elegant
saloon. Her eyes were on Thea, fresh and lovely in a white gown of
silk gauze shot with silver threads, her hair tumbling to her shoulders
in golden curls. Thea stood with the Duchess and Jane near the door,
receiving guests. The Duchess had insisted on holding a reception in
honour of Thea's presentation at Court yesterday. It was only to be a
small reception.
"I know, dear Jane, that you and Edward decided to hold a ball after
his return, but I wanted to do this.
"Tis a most important event in any young lady's life, so I think a
small celebration shall be in order."
However, it was more than a small gathering. And somehow, on such
notice, the Duchess had hired a small group of musicians and the affair
had all the signs of turning into a ball.
Claire watched Harry enter, and then stiffened when she saw Jack
come-in behind him. She quickly looked away, her hands trembling
around her fan. He'd come to call yesterday, but she'd been resting in
her bedchamber. He had left another bouquet of flowers, this one of
fragrant pink roses, and a basket of strawberries. Thea had teased her
unmercifully, and Jane had smiled in an irritatingly knowing manner.
Claire had felt increasingly confused.
Did he really want to marry her? She had thought of little else in the
six days that had passed since he'd offered her marriage. He'd called
on her three times, but only very briefly, as a proper suitor should.
Twice, Harry had been there at the same time as Jack, so there had been
no chance for private conversation. She had felt disappointed and
relieved all at once.
In spite of her best resolution, her eyes were drawn to him as he bowed
over Thea's hand. The sight of his broad shoulders beneath his dark
green coat and his strong, muscular legs encased in tight drab breeches
made her shaky, almost as if her body remembered the feel of him.
As she watched, Lady Rotham approached him, her protegee at her side.
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He bowed over Alicia's hand, and she gave him one of her poised, cool
smiles. She recalled Lady Rotham's words that Jack was to marry
Alicia. He would hardly have offered marriage to Claire if it were
true, so she must have only wanted to warn Claire away. Claire had no
doubt if she were rash enough to accept Jack's offer Lady Rotham would
be most displeased.
Of course, she had no intention of marrying again. Certainly not
Jack.
She was not in love with him nor was he in love with her. This odd
attraction he had for her was no basis for a marriage. And she never
wanted to be at the complete mercy of a man again.
"Brooding, my dear? We can't allow it."
Harry's amused voice startled her out of her reverie. She looked up
and managed to smile.
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