"It must have been awfully difficult
for you in London."
"You mean you now feel sorry for the poor provincial little female thrust into the midst of such illustrious people?"
"I am not insulting you. What I meant was that London ways and London people were different from what you were used to. You did quite well."
"I was very worried about it, indeed, I was chewing my fingernails, but my father told me flatly that he was a gentleman and I was a gentleman's daughter and I should allow no one, not even the Prince Regent, to intimidate me." She chuckled. "Of course I didn't meet the Prince Regent, so I will never know if he would have reduced me to pulp."
"He is most charming to pretty girls. He would have kissed your fingers and praised your eyebrows."
"Actually the only person who intimidated me was Aunt Lucia."
"That old tartar has a kind heart. You mustn't ever forget that. Rest assured that she thinks a great deal of you. After all, she has deemed you worthy enough to marry me."
"Lyon!"
He continued smoothly, "Tell me something, Diana. When I pulled up your skirts and laid my hand to your bare bottom, what did you feel?"
He thought he heard her suck in her breath, but when she spoke, it was calmly enough. "I wanted to murder you, and it hurt."
"What did you feel when I stopped hurting you?"
"Just murder."
"Liar. Do you have any idea what you feel like? You have the softest flesh, the loveliest curve to your ---"
"Would you please just be silent!"
"It set my poor masculine brain to thinking. I think Lois, my little amour, you know, was quite aware that I chose her because of her marvelous endowments. Bosomly endowments, that is. But it remains very difficult where you are concerned. Your beautiful bosom or your beautiful backside. I am enamored with both."
"Lyon, you are not flattering me. You are making me very angry. Now, I am sleepy. Be quiet."
"May I have a good-night kiss?"
"If the chamber pot were full, I should be sorely tempted to dash the contents on your head."
"I suppose that means no?"
But Diana didn't reply. She was thinking suddenly about his peculiar questions about any pain in her belly. Her eyes widened in the dark and breath hissed out between her teeth. The wretched man knew it was her monthly flow. But how? He'd been watching her undress, obviously. Two and a half more weeks of thisthis chase, with her the cornered fox. Her distress ground to a sudden halt to be replaced with a flash of insight. He had intended to seduce her tonight. She was shaking her head on her single pillow. No, she wouldn't allow that. She couldn't. She had to spike his guns.
"Lyon? Are you still awake?"
"Have you reconsidered my kiss?"
"No. Do you love me, Lyon?"
She could feel his surprise, his chagrin. There, you bounder! But his silence and obvious disarray hurt her. Keep your voice steady, fool. "Shouldn't a gentleman love a lady he wants to marry?"
"It has never before been a necessary ingredient, I doubt."
"Did you love Charlotte? For a while, at least?"
"I saw her through infatuated eyes. I thought her an angel, the essence of innocence and purity. I saw her as the perfect wife, the perfect countess, the perfect mother to my children. Obviously I was a blind fool."
"I am sorry she hurt you, but ---"
"It no longer matters, Diana."