“You promised not to peek.”
“Sorry.” She closed her eyes. She hadn’t meant to look, but curiosity was a dangerous attribute. Very dangerous. And hard to ignore. She stole another glance and sucked in a sharp breath when she discovered he was still watching her.
She wagged a finger toward the far shoreline. “Maybe I should swim back.”
“Come here,” he said with a laugh and extended his hand to help her up.
She hesitated but could think of no reason to refuse him that didn’t make her feel foolish. A brief rest couldn’t hurt. It wasn’t until she was out of the water that she realized her chemise was still tied in a knot, exposing her legs.
Luke led her to an old tree trunk that had washed ashore and urged her to sit down beside him. They sat in silence, staring at the moonlight shimmering on the glistening, black water.
He smoothed a finger over the fleshy part of her thigh. “You have strong legs.”
“You aren’t supposed to be looking either,” she chided with as much conviction as she could marshal, which wasn’t nearly as much as she should have.
“Then remove the temptation.”
When he reached between her legs to loosen the knot, she started. His head brushed her breast as he sat up again, sending a rush of heat throughout her body.
“You may cover your legs now if you wish,” he said when she remained frozen.
She snapped out of her trance and wiggled side to side, tugging at her chemise to cover her bare limbs. Settling beside him, she allowed her gaze to travel along the contours of his legs then quickly jerked it back to the water. It was difficult to keep her promise not to look when she had never seen a man in his state of undress, nor did she expect to ever see another one as spectacularly made as him.
She lifted her head and her breath left her. Luke was studying her with gleaming eyes as black as onyx. A corner of her mouth turned up. So much for promises. Her curiosity chased away any shyness as she allowed her gaze to roam over his masculine form. He was leaner than most gentlemen, strong and svelte, but she didn’t mind.
“You look beautiful,” Luke said, “just like the first time I saw you. All I have been able to think of since that day at the coaching inn is kissing you again.”
“Just kissing me?” she managed to eke out.
“Vivian,” he said on a groan and reached for her.
Eighteen
Luke savored her sweet kiss, admonishing himself to remain a gentleman. Perhaps he had rushed his courtship this evening, but he hadn’t wanted to reach Irvine Castle without having her bound to him. Nothing would be official until the marriage settlement was signed, but a promise between them eased his concerns about losing her. He would try to be what she deserved.
Guilt still plagued him when it came to his brother. Richard had given up his youth to work with their father. Luke knew it should have been him, but he’d been too much of a daredevil, too bored to be cooped up in the study all day going over ledgers. Only now with Vivian was he able to see how his desire to run from a life that had felt wrong led to an even greater sense of imprisonment.
A life devoid of a future or lasting connections.
A life of solitude.
A life without love.
When she shivered, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and helped her to her feet. “You’re cold. We should go back to the house.”
“No! I’m not.” She shrugged him off.
A shocked laugh burst from his lips. “I knew you were difficult from the start, but will this streak of defiance follow us into our marriage?”
Her impish chuckle carried on the night air. “Very likely. Do you want to retract your offer?”
“Never.” As Drew had noted, she was much like their mother in temperament and audacity. Luke had no worry that he could grow to love Vivian just as his father had adored his mother.
“Well, then. If I’m to be your wife”—she adopted a tone much like her brother’s when he had been discussing the terms of the marital contract—“you may kiss me as often as you like. I don’t want to wait for banns to be cried or a silly special license.”
“I see.” A ridiculous grin threatened to make an appearance, but he held it back. “I suppose you would appreciate a similar promise from me?”
“That does seem fair, Your