An Indecent Proposition by Emma Wildes

Author:Emma Wildes [Wildes, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 2009-04-10T05:00:00+00:00

How could he do this to her? This last week had been torture, because Derek suddenly seemed to be everywhere, impossible to ignore—and now this? He was right. Annabel deliberately avoided him as much as possible because the last thing she wanted was to be reminded of her ill-fated infatuation with the faithless, notorious Earl of Manderville.

But there was certainly no avoiding him now. Not when he stood there, in her bedroom of all places, the stark masculine beauty of his face shadows and hollows in the low light, his thick blond hair brushing the collar of a fine linen shirt that emphasized the impressive width of his shoulders. Black breeches and Hessians called attention to the long length of his legs, but he wore no coat or cravat for his risky climb.

That he’d done it at all was bewildering, and his last declaration had her speechless.

Derek repeated in the same husky tone, “That kiss—the one that never should have happened—changed my life, Annie. On my honor, I swear it’s true.”

Did he just use the word honor?

Because the memory was so painful still, like a raw wound that refused to heal properly, she said with bitter conviction, “I am sure you could tell any manner of untruths with your honor offered as proof of your conviction. Since it doesn’t exist.”

His mouth tightened a fraction and she knew she’d drawn blood. “I suppose I am not surprised you have a low opinion of me, because you’ve made it clear enough. But we’ve also known each other a long time, so can’t you give me the courtesy of hearing me out?” His eyes, so vividly blue, held an uncharacteristic look of supplication. “Surely you’re curious as to what I have to say that is important enough I’d risk my neck to tell you.”

She was, but admitting it seemed like a weakness. His ability to charm was not in question.

Besides, she lied outright about the letter.

The uncertain thing was her ability to resist. Perhaps she wasn’t even close to his degree of sophistication and experience, but she was at least intelligent enough to realize it and know it was foolhardy to let down her guard for even one moment. Derek Drake was dangerous to her current state of tenuous contentment over her upcoming marriage. “No,” she lied. “I’m not in the least bit curious.”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “My family—and I—have provided for you all these years and it should count for something.”

“That’s not fair.” She stiffened, staring at him. “Is it my fault I was orphaned?”

“No, of course not.” His implacable expression didn’t change. “But I think I am a bit beyond fair. You at least owe me a chance to speak. Shall we talk?”

He was the earl, his title making him ultimately responsible in a financial way for the estate that she considered her home, and yes, his family had been more than generous to her; she knew it. If not for his sake, for Thomas and Margaret she owed him something.

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