Jo Beverley - [Malloren 02] by Tempting Fortune

Author:Tempting Fortune
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

"Relax, Hippolyta," he said softly. "You are surely safe in my company here."

She turned sharply, intending to reproach him, but found herself silenced by something almost gentle in his expression.

"So," he said, easily covering the moment, "Nerissa has taken you up. You are very fortunate."

Portia hastily walked after her cousin. "After my shame, you mean."

"No, I do not mean that," he said with an edge. "I mean that her standing and respectability are just what you need."

"If you want thanks for having introduced me to my cousin, you may have them, my lord."

"Your happiness is thanks enough, I assure you." He was keeping pace with her without difficulty.

Portia knew good manners dictated that she make light conversation, but her mind was blank. How could she talk of the weather to a man with whom she had been so outrageously intimate?

"I hope you are not too much distressed by your adventure," he said.

The gall of the man! "We will forget it, if you please, my lord."

"You are always telling me to forget our encounters," he said somewhat plaintively. "I find myself quite unable to do so."

"Please, my lord...."

"As you wish," he said lightly. "Then perhaps I should admit that I have skipped some important lessons during our encounters, and should now teach you how to flirt."

Portia was dreadfully off-balance, teetering between the attraction she always felt for this man and her fear of its power. She speeded her pace, wanting to be closer to the others. "I do not think so, my lord."

"Nerissa commands, and we should obey the Queen of Society."

"I do not think it is your habit to obey."

He captured her hand and slowed her pace. "You cannot totally repulse me, you know. Remember the terms of our wager."

Portia knew her cheeks were scarlet. "My lord, I wish you would not speak of it."

"Then humor me, and let us flirt and become acquainted."

She looked at him then. "There is no purpose in it."

"Why not?"

"Our tastes differ too far."

"Do they?" He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "I'm not well acquainted with your tastes, Miss St. Claire. Do you like roast lamb?" She snapped an exasperated look at him, and was trapped by a beguiling smile. "I wish you nothing but good, you know."

"No." It was rejection of both him and his statement. And a rejection of the effect he could still have on her.

He frowned slightly. "Then do you like chicken?"

Portia found herself alarmingly tempted to laugh. "My lord, cease this!"

"You do not care for food at all?"

"Of course I do."

"I thought so. I remember that you eat like a horse."

Portia spoke between her teeth. "I simply do not care to discuss food with you."

"Then let us talk sex."

Portia came to a frozen halt, staring at him, her mouth half open.

"Food or sex," he said pleasantly. "Which shall it be?"

"Is that a threat?"

He appeared genuinely startled. "'Struth, no. You can trust my discretion. It is, however, a topic of mutual interest, you will agree."

Portia dragged her hand from his arm.

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