Read Online Jo Beverley - [Rogue ] by Christmas Angel - Free Book Online Page B

than before. Though he was not a big man, his presence seemed to fill her small front room, and the notion of the marriage became once more absurd.
    She looked rather helplessly at her two shabby chairs. "Please be seated, my lord. Would you like some tea?"
    He smiled quizzically."Delaying still? Mrs. Rossiter, please give me your answer, or perhaps I will have a fit of the vapors."
    She turned away. "You sound as if this is important to you, whereas I know you could find a woman to marry you under any hedgerow."
    His tone was amused. "I assure you, I would never consider marrying a woman I found under a hedgerow."
    He let the silence run and in the end she had to turn back to face him.
    "Mrs. Rossiter," he said, "the whole point of this marriage is to avoid sentimental flummery, but I can say with complete honesty that I want you to be my wife. In fact, you are the only woman I have ever encountered whom I have wished to make my wife."
    He seemed so sincere.
    "Do you promise never to write odes to my eyes?" Now why on earth had she asked anything so ridiculous?
    Indeed a spark of laughter lit his eyes, and he placed his hand on his heart. "On my honor as an English gentleman."
    She was smiling at him, enjoying the twinkle in his eyes. The words escaped without her conscious volition. "Very well then."
    He smiled. It was a shining smile, and it startled her that she could cause it even in a simple matter of practicality. He put his hat and gloves on the table, and shrugged out of his coat to lay it on a chair. He came over and placed a finger under her chin. She realized he was going to kiss her.
    She swung away. "Oh don't..."
    Then she looked back, knowing that had been singularly foolish.
    He was frowning slightly. "If this is to go any further, ma'am, you must come here and be kissed."
    "We are still virtual strangers, my lord."
    "Even so."
    Judith had taken the impression that he was young and over-civilized, unlikely to assert his will. She was learning her error. She remembered he was a veteran of the wars. Her doubts resurfaced but she brutally shoved them down. A betrothal kiss was a silly matter upon which to balk. She slowly returned to stand in front of him.
    He took her hands in a firm, warm grasp, capturing her with those intense eyes. "I understand that you loved your husband dearly, ma'am, and I don't expect to supplant him in your heart. In fact his hold on your affections is one of your greatest recommendations. But I expect you to be able to accept my kisses and my attentions in bed without shrinking. If you cannot do that, then tell me now."
    There was always a price to pay, but marital duties would not be an unbearable burden. She just didn't much like to be kissed on the lips. It was such a sloppy business.
    "I will be happy to do my duty," she said.
    He nodded, though a brow quirked slightly at her tone. "There is another condition of which I should have told you yesterday. If we are to be married, I insist that you leave off mourning entirely."
    Judith thought how strange, and pleasant, it would be to be out of black, then remembered she must not let that pleasure show. He was offering for the inconsolable widow.
    "Very well," she said with just a trace of reluctance, then added frankly, "but you will have to pay for my new wardrobe."
    He stared at her. "Do you mean you are in black because you cannot afford new clothes?"
    "No," she lied quickly. "I could not have borne to wear colors. But I understand now that you will wish it. I merely point out that I have nothing else, and if you wish me to be in colors you must provide them."
    His expression lightened. "It will be my pleasure to do so." He stepped back slightly and studied her. "Blue, deep rose, warm browns, peach..."
    His frankly roaming eyes were flustering her. "Are you going to dictate my wardrobe, my lord?"
    "Great ladies have begged for my advice, Mrs. Rossiter."
    He was dangerous in a funning mood. She raised her chin. "I think you should