Lover Be Mine A Legendary Lovers Novel - By Nicole Jordan Page 0,54
was very unlikely Jack wanted to marry her for any reason other than to rescue her. And while his gallantry touched her, she couldn’t allow him to pursue this hopeless course.
Realizing she appeared conflicted, she tried to reply with conviction. “Jack, forcing you to do something you abhor merely to save me from a marriage of convenience is not at all fair to you. Besides, there are good reasons I cannot possibly accompany you to Navartania. For one thing, the long journey to Paris exhausted my aunt. Just now she is bedridden and too unwell to travel any further.”
“But your aunt is fully supportive of my efforts, since she realizes the significance of this opportunity for you.”
“Even so, I cannot go anywhere without her.”
Jack frowned. “My trip can’t be delayed. If I am to inherit the throne, it will take time to put the legalities in motion. And that assumes I first effect a reconciliation.”
Sophie heard the note of urgency in his tone but couldn’t let it sway her resolve. “You are forgetting an even more important factor than my aunt’s infirmity. I am betrothed to the duke now. Everything is settled.”
A muscle flexed in Jack’s jaw. “It won’t be settled until you actually say your vows. Until then, our courtship is not over. Not by a long shot.”
Sophie swallowed past the sudden dryness in her throat. Jack’s adamancy boded ill for her. If he continued pressing forward in this unrealistic fashion, he could ruin all her parents’ aspirations for her. She decided to do some pressing of her own.
“Do you know what I think? This is still a game to you, and you have let your wounded pride overrule your better judgment. You are pursuing me because you cannot bear to lose a competition to Dunmore.”
“I don’t like losing, true. But we are long past games.”
“Are we?” She held Jack’s gaze levelly. “You don’t love me. You implied as much during our last night together.”
His expression turned enigmatic. “I don’t love you yet. But I admire you and desire you.”
Yet. Sophie tried to ignore his startling choice of words. That he was leaving open the possibility of falling in love with her should not be enough to send her hopes soaring.
“Desire,” she pointed out, “is not adequate justification for me to forsake my family and renege on my promises.”
“But it is far more than you will have with Dunmore.”
“Still, it is not enough for what you are asking me to do.”
At her answer, Jack looked as frustrated as she felt.
“Answer me honestly …” Sophie pressed when he was silent. “Could you ever love me?”
“Honestly?” The intensity of his gaze was mesmerizing, but her heart sank at his reply: “Perhaps. Given time. You are everything I would want in a wife. If I were ever to fall in love, it would be with you.”
Sophie shook her head sadly. Perhaps wasn’t enough. If she succumbed to Jack’s temptation, he might break her heart, and she would certainly break her parents’ hearts. Even if he somehow became a prince and miraculously overcame her parents’ opposition, what sort of future would they have together if he were forced to live a life he’d never wanted, with a father he despised?
“If I must have a loveless marriage,” she said in a low voice, “it might as well be with Dunmore.”
When Jack started to protest, Sophie held up a hand. “I am resigned to the marriage, Jack. This … attraction between us … whatever romance we had … has been a pleasant fantasy, nothing more.”
His heavy brows snapped together. “Merely pleasant?”
“Very well, more than pleasant … it has been wonderful. But it is still only a fantasy.”
His jaw hardened. “I am not giving up, Sophie.”
“Jack, please … I think you had best go. I will tell my aunt you called. She is still asleep and cannot be disturbed.” Sophie rose and so did he. “The servant will show you out.”
“I can find my own way out.”
But he failed to match his words to action. Instead, he moved closer and reached up to caress her lower lip with a forefinger.
At the erotic gesture, Sophie felt her stomach quiver. Remembering the smoldering heat Jack had roused in her the last time he’d touched her, she clenched her hands to prevent herself from reaching up and pulling his mouth to hers. She well knew that he used passion as a weapon to gain whatever he wanted, and this time she would very likely succumb to his promise of