Read Online Noble Destiny by Katie MacAlister - Free Book Online Page B

his chest, watching as Charlotte muttered and swore as she attempted to wriggle out of the pillow. He clamped down firmly on the wave of desire that swept through him at the sight of such unintentionally seductive movements, damning his eyes and his lust equally. No one would ever believe he could be aroused by a large, hairy, long-dead king, but with each wiggle of her rounded hips his desire, amongst other things, swelled. “This ravishment you’re planning—do I assume it has something to do with your proposal of marriage a few days ago?”
    Charlotte triumphantly kicked herself free of the pillow, turning upon him a look of innocence so profound it would make an angel feel impure. Dare wasn’t fooled for a moment.
    â€œMarriage? Proposal? Oh, that silliness! Good heavens, my lord, I’d forgotten all about that ,” she replied with what he knew were dimples beneath the beard. “No, this is totally unrelated.”
    â€œAh. Would you mind, purely to satisfy my curiosity, informing me what exactly is the goal of your intended ravishment of my person?”
    She paused for a moment in the act of unbuttoning her breeches. “You want to know why I wish to ravish you?”
    Dare nodded. Yes, he did. He wanted her to admit that she was no better than the rest of the women in Society. He wanted his disillusionment to be complete and inexorably final. He wanted to kill the hunger for her that grew stronger within him each time he saw her. By God, he needed to exorcise himself of her!
    â€œOh. Well. That. Er…it’s quite simple, actually. You look exceptionally well against me.”
    A bubble of laughter threatened his iron control. “I do?”
    â€œYes.” Charlotte gave him another beardy smile and continued to work nimble fingers down the line of mother of pearl buttons on her purple-and-black breeches.
    He resisted the almost overwhelming and completely irrational urge to take her in his arms and kiss away what infinitesimal bit of wits remained about her. “I see. I apologize for my incorrect deduction. I had imagined that your ravishment of me was part of a plan to trap me into marriage.”
    Charlotte paused. “Oh?”
    â€œYes. It had occurred to me—thankfully you have shown me the error in my thinking—that you might have arranged to be discovered with me here.”
    Her hand stilled upon the buttons. “Ah.”
    â€œIn this room.”
    She blinked.
    â€œIn a state of extreme undress.”
    She licked her strawberry-sweet lips.
    â€œThat isn’t the case?”
    She raised an outraged chin and shot him a steely look. “I am sorely offended that you could think me capable of such heinous and unworthy acts, Lord Carlisle. You would think a gentleman would be pleased with an offer of ravishment, but no, you have to be obstinate and suspicious and ruin the whole experience! I’m of half a mind to not ravish you at all!”
    One heavy gold eyebrow cocked in question.
    â€œBut I shall,” she continued, nodding righteously as she resumed work on the buttons. “I shall overlook your petty thoughts this once, but don’t expect me to be so generous next time.”
    â€œSo your intention in removing all your clothing and making love to me is not to be discovered, compromised to the point that I will be forced by honor into wedding you?”
    â€œI just said that!”
    â€œThen you don’t mind if I lock this door?” Dare turned the small brass key in the lock and pocketed it.
    â€œEr…” Charlotte watched him warily.
    â€œI thought you wouldn’t. Where would you care for the lovemaking to take place?”
    Her lovely blue eyes didn’t even blink. “Er…”
    â€œThat couch looks comfortable. Or perhaps you would like to have your wicked way with me on the rug before the fire?”
    She glanced at the fire. “Er…”
    Dare gave her a scandalized wiggle