They stared at each other, and Maryann did her best to remain unflappable. The entire situation was so unusual. “How old are they, your sisters?”
“Thirteen. They are twins. A late surprise for my parents.”
The echoes of affection lingered in his tone and rendered him so much more approachable.
“Have you not satisfied yourself that I am safe and nothing odd happened?”
“Yes.”
“Yet you are still here in my chamber.”
“As soon as I borrow a book, I shall leave. You have an eclectic reading taste. It is impressive.”
Maryann felt the warm admiration of his tone all the way to the pit of her stomach. “What…what do you like to read?”
“Why do you sound so surprised that I do?”
She lifted a shoulder in an inelegant shrug. “Well, you are supposed to be a rake.”
“Ah, and we are creatures who cannot read?”
“Hmm, too busy with debauchery. Wherever would you find the time or the inclination?”
His wry chuckle quickened her pulse. They were reaching quite another level of intimacy with their conversation.
“I like William Wordsworth and E. T. A. Hoffmann. I’ve never told anyone that before, so guard the knowledge with your life.” Slipping her gothic romance book into his pocket, he said, “I will borrow this book and read it for myself. You are blushing so delightfully, that means I made the right choice.”
Maryann rolled her eyes. “If that is your desire, am I able to stop you?”
His slow smile made her heart beat suddenly faster, for he surveyed her with disturbing intensity with those brilliant eyes. “No, I suppose you cannot, but I would not take it without your permission.”
“Are we still talking about the book?” she murmured.
His eyes darkened. The marquess seemed riveted. Unexpectedly he stood, bowed, and shoved open her window and went through it. A breath escaped Maryann in a rush. Her heart raced in earnest. Would he truly visit her often to ascertain she was safe? She really did not know what to make of him, but a keen awareness lingered that he excited her unbearably.
…
Visit three was the very next day. This time he traveled with a card pack and invited her to play piquet with him. When she bemusedly said she did not know how, he lowered himself to the carpet by the sofa and with an enigmatic wave of his hand invited her to sit. Maryann toed off her slippers and joined him.
“Why are you here again?” she demanded, despite anticipating his presence. Oh, why do I like you so?
“I told you the consequences of linking our names together.”
“So, this is you checking in on my safety?”
“Most assuredly.”
“I do not believe you.”
“Then why do you think I came?”
She arched a brow. “For my charming company, of course.”
Something wary flashed in his gaze, as if she had hinted at a truth yet not acknowledged by him. Her heart stuttered, and she remained silent for a long time.
Maryann wondered if he was lonely, then felt bewildered by her supposition. At the balls she’d seen the marquess at, he was always surrounded by a bevy of lady admirers. Even the young bucks seemed like they desired to emulate the marquess. But perhaps he had no genuine friendship with his admirers?
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, staring at her too intently.
“Exactly how I am going to talk about you in my diary.”
“Your diary?” This seemed to surprised him.
“Of course,” she drawled. “Most ladies do have one. It is a place where we are allowed to express ourselves freely, you know.”
A glint entered his eyes, one of relish perhaps. “I wonder what secret longings are on those pages.”
“None you’ll ever be privy to,” she said pertly, fighting a blush, for she had wondered on those pages what it would be like to have the attentions of this dratted rake.
He leaned in slightly and gave her a decidedly wolfish yet sensual smile. “Is that a challenge, Lady Maryann?”
That outrageous, inexplicable desire to kiss him filled her once more.
Considerably shaken, she shifted away so he could not see her expression of want. “Are we to play piquet or not?”
Devilry danced in his eyes. “Let’s play.”
After almost an hour of the game, his stomach rumbled, and his sheepish smile made him seem so much more approachable, and not the dangerously mysterious stranger or charming rake who made her pulse trip with alarm.
Maryann rang for a maidservant and asked for a tray of leftovers from their dinner, delicious slices of roast ham, beef, and asparagus in cream sauce, to be sent to