indulged the demands of our bodies, a circumstance I hope we can repeat before you return to London. But to talk about what happened gives the event more significance than it truly carries.” She raised her chin. “Don’t you think?”
He could do little more than stare at her. Words, logic, arguments—they all failed him. Because she was right. He had delivered the same reminder countless times to mistresses who had placed too much meaning on their sexual encounters.
Being on the receiving end of such a reminder escalated his frustration, causing him to lash out. “Indeed, Mrs. Ashcroft.” He pushed the chair beneath the desk. “Perhaps I did not make my intentions clear enough.”
She clasped her empty hands in front of her. “Oh?”
He stepped closer. “Since you are receptive to furthering our morning activities, I propose an affaire.”
“Affaire?” After a moment, the confusion vanished and her features cleared of all expression. “Kind of you, my lord. But I have no need of your money.”
The muscles in his neck grew taut and a vein in his temple pounded. “I’m not suggesting that you become my mistress, but rather my lover.”
She thought about that for a second. “I see.”
Did she? To be sure, he pressed his point home. “A pleasurable interlude with a definite beginning and end, an association without expectation. The only exchange of payment would be the slaking of our mutual desire.”
A satisfactory flush blanketed her throat and covered her cheeks. She might be well versed in negotiating domestic affairs, but Sebastian was a master at more intimate arrangements.
“What of my reputation, my lord?” she asked. “Showbury is small and gossip travels quickly. What will become of my daughter and me when you leave?”
“There are a few options,” he said. “We do what we can to quell the rumors, or, if you prefer, we can find you and Sophie a nice place away from Showbury. Somewhere you can start fresh, free from unpleasant memories.”
“You have given this some thought.”
More than you will ever know. “Like you, I prefer to have a plan.”
“What if I don’t wish to leave our home? What then, my lord?”
“Then I find a way to persuade you, Mrs. Ashcroft.”
She took a small step back. “I do not think this is the right time—”
“When would?” he asked more sharply than he intended. “After we find Ashcroft’s killer? When you’re out of mourning? Once Sophie is older?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I don’t want my selfish act to hurt Sophie. She deserves better.”
“I will protect your daughter from any ill effects of our affaire,” he said. “You have my word. I’m offering you a few days of pleasure, something I believe we both need. Trust me to see to Sophie’s welfare.”
She turned toward the window and stared at something in the distance. Sebastian’s hands balled at his side, waiting for her answer. His pulse grew thick in his ears and sweat ran between his shoulder blades.
“Well then,” she said quietly, settling her gaze on his. “The business of when the affaire is to begin has already been decided, so the only question remaining is when will it end?”
Never. The answer shot through his head with blinding speed, surprising him with its savagery. Ever since he’d witnessed the secretive smile she’d sent Danforth that morning, he’d been hounded by an animalistic need to possess her, along with an overpowering desire to thrash Danforth.
The viscount’s talent for charming vital information from the mistresses and wives of powerful men had been quite useful over the years. But the thought of Danforth employing those skills on Catherine had stirred a primitive need in Sebastian to rip the young rogue’s head off.
“I plan on returning to London by the middle of the following week,” he said. “Does that suit for an end date?”
An odd mixture of relief and exasperation crossed her face. Sebastian found himself wondering about the reasons for both.
“Yes, my lord,” she said. “Quite definitive.”
Unable to resist the temptation of their close proximity, he placed his fingers on her cheek and smoothed his thumb over her bottom lip. “Now that we have the business side of our arrangement decided, I propose a sampling of the pleasurable side.”
She nodded, sucking in her bottom lip. When it reappeared moist and red from her ministrations, Sebastian’s control snapped. He covered her mouth, drawing her lower lip between his teeth to savor its texture, toy with its softness. Tease and test its plumpness.
Desire streamed through his veins, sleek and hot. He wanted her again. A