The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown (Lady W 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

betrothed, after all.” Halfurst drew her closer, and kissed her again.
    When he released her the second time, she was actually leaning toward him. With a silent curse she straightened. “What…You already kissed me good night.”
    “That was good morning.”
    “Oh.”
    Returning for a moment to the fireplace, the marquis retrieved a splendid bouquet of flowers from the mantel. “Winter roses,” he said, handing them to her.
    Their bright scarlet color itself seemed enough to warm the room. In her heavy velvet gown, Anne was beginning to feel rather heated herself. “Thank you,” she said, breathing in their spicy scent. “They’re lovely. But not necessary.”
    “Evidently, they are necessary,” he countered. “I have some things to make up for. This is merely the beginning.”
    “The beginning?” she repeated, watching the slow curve of his mouth. Somber, he was aristocratic and handsome, far enough from her imaginings that she could almost believe he was an imposter. When he smiled, though, the expression lighted his eyes, and in response her heart did silly little flip-flops.
    “Of my courtship.”
    The pronouncement, so calm and matter-of-fact, stunned her, and it was a moment before she could get her jaw to work again. “I thought you intended to drag me off to Yorkshire.”
    Halfurst tilted his head as though trying to read her thoughts. “I could do that,” he admitted in a low voice, “but I couldn’t make you want to be there, and I certainly couldn’t make you want to be there with me.”
    Anne narrowed her eyes. “Forgive my cynicism, but what happened to make you suddenly so willing to be reasonable?”
    “You did. But it’s not reason; it’s patience. You were meant to be mine. I intend to have you.”
    My goodness, he seemed sure of himself . “Why, because I’m pretty and my family has money?”
    The smile touched his mouth again. “Because you told me you’d rather drop dead than marry me.”
    “Because…That’s absurd.”
    “And because you interest me, and intrigue me, and because after nineteen years without a word from me and as popular as you are, you only said no, and not that you’d chosen someone else.”
    Anne felt dizzy. It wasn’t just his absurd turn of logic, but the way he held her gaze as he spoke, and the way he seemed to know what she wanted to hear. “So you intend to woo me?”
    “I do.”
    “And what if I still resist?”
    “You won’t.”
    He did have a male’s typical arrogance. “But if I do?”
    For a moment he didn’t speak. “Then I’ll return to Yorkshire.”
    “Alone,” she prompted.
    “Without you,” he answered, his eyes glittering, as if he knew she wouldn’t like that response.
    Heavens, he didn’t think he could make her jealous, did he? She’d known of him all her life, but she’d only known him for a day, after all. He still gazed at her, so she grimaced at him, wrinkling her nose. “Good.”
    “Good,” he repeated softly. “And now, would you care to go walking with me this morning?”
    “But it’s snowing!”
    “Barely. We’re both dressed for it.” The marquis pursed his lips, looking her up and down again. Something akin to humor, but darker and warmer, touched his gray gaze. “Unless you’d care to sit here with me.”
    Anne cleared her throat. “I’ll fetch my cloak.”
    “I thought you might.”
    “It doesn’t mean I’m afraid of you, Lord Halfurst,” she said as she made her escape.
    “Maximilian,” he corrected.
    “No.”
    The marquis turned, keeping her in view. “Why not?”
    Oh dear, she should just have given in. She was much more suave and confident with her other male friends. They, however, didn’t question every word she said. They probably only listened to half of them.
    “Calling a gentleman by his Christian name implies a certain…familiarity,” she said, scowling as she realized how much she sounded like her mother.
    With two quick strides he was between her and the doorway.