Unlike people who did not live in London, she had an idea of what he meant. Society postured, clung together and watched. The watching would drive her mad. He glanced at her and she smiled and nodded. “But you can’t. The country may be better for you.”
“When I have settled my sisters.” He grimaced. “We’re wealthy, and their fortunes are large. If only to protect them from fortune-hunters, we should make a push to find husbands. We’ve agreed to see how this season goes. They have other interests, but I don’t want to see them dwindle into old maids.”
“What about you?”
Sighing, he towed her from the room and without showing her the other rooms on this floor, took her up the next flight of stairs. Outside the door of the back bedroom on the right side, he stopped, and slid his hands around her waist. “I’m shortly to sign a marriage contract with Lady Elizabeth Askew. She’s the daughter of the Duke of Illington, related to almost everyone in society.”
Of course she knew. The gossip sheets had been full of the news. But hearing it from his own lips made something inside her die. “Do you love her?”
He shook his head. “I would not be here if I did. Neither would I be here if we were formally betrothed. I have sworn to be faithful to the woman I marry, and I will not budge from that, whatever the temptation.”
“So tonight must be a one and only event.”
“We may see one another again, but yes. If you come into this room, it will be the only time you do so with me.” He didn’t sound happy about that, but she understood him perfectly.
Once she said she would marry Joseph, he’d snatch her up before she could change her mind. By this time next month she’d be a wife. He would be a husband. “You’re right,” she said. “Tonight and only tonight.”
“You agree?”
She jerked a nod.
He stayed where he was. “I want to hear you say it.”
“Yes. I want this. I want you.” She needed him too much to walk away.
He remained gazing at her for a moment before he extended one hand and pushed open the door. “Welcome, my lady.”
He strode into the room, leaving her the choice. Now she had made her decision, Annie had no hesitation in taking a step over the threshold. She never looked back, once she’d made up her mind.
He seized her and planted a smacking kiss on her lips. He did not linger, but stripped off his coat and tossed it over a nearby wing chair without taking his attention from her. He must know this room very well, since the chair was a couple of feet away. “Come here,” he said softly.
Annie stepped forward and placed her hands on his shoulders. “Why are we doing this?”
“We’re allowing ourselves one last moment of madness before we set on our new paths.” He smiled down at her. “We’re stepping into a place we would not willingly go, given the choice. Both of us are determined to make the most of the situation. But we have tonight. I have told my sisters that I’m setting my last mistress free before I marry, so they do not expect to see me until morning.”
“You tell them about your mistresses?”
He huffed a laugh. “They guessed I wasn’t a monk some time ago. I gave my last mistress her congé when I inherited the title. I have been too busy since to think of my personal needs.”
“Until now.”
He nodded. “A respite. Can you stay all night or do you have to be back later?”
She shook her head. “I told them I was visiting my parents. They live close to Hampstead Heath now they have retired. I usually spend the night there when I visit them.”
He laughed. “What a pair of liars we are! I thought I still had to persuade you.”
“You did. I could have gone back and said I’d changed my mind.” Her heart sank when she considered that possibility. She’d have come up with some excuse, but she’d have hated herself for not taking the chance.
She’d be wondering and regretting for a very long time if she didn’t do this.
He tugged her fichu free of her bodice. The filmy fabric fell away and he gazed unabashedly at the plump swell of her breasts. Her breath quickened, which made the flesh quiver. With a groan he closed his eyes and reached for her. She went to him without hesitation, starting on the buttons of his waistcoat. The metallic thread abraded her fingers, but she continued deftly unfastening the long line of gold buttons. Finally she had them all undone. Only a veil of lawn separated her fingers from his flesh now. He wore a neckcloth, which she set to undoing, cursing when she found the pearl pin that impeded her progress. Casting it away as if it was worthless, she undid the elaborate knot that made the lace-edged piece of cloth into a work of art, and dragged it from around his neck, heedless of where it fell.