Read Online Say You Love Me by Johanna Lindsey - Free Book Online Page B

Lord Malory—”
    “Good God!” he exclaimed. “You thought my cousin Jeremy bought you?”
    His amazement showed. She was blushing as she nodded.
    “Even after you were brought to my home?” he wanted clarified.
    She nodded again, but added, “You said that was only temporary. I guessed that as young as Jeremy is, he might still be living with his parents, and so he must have asked you to see me settled for the night. Why else do you think I asked if we would be picking him up this morning?”
    At that point he confounded her by smiling. “Actually, dear girl, I was worried that you might have become smitten with the scamp. It wouldn’t be the first time. He has that effect on the fairer sex despite his tender years.”
    “Yes, he is unusually handsome,” sheagreed, then wished she hadn’t commented at all. He stopped smiling.
    “I suppose you are disappointed now, to be stuck with me instead?”
    It was really unfortunate that he asked that question. The truth was written on her face before she took the lie in hand to try to assure him. “No, of course not.”
    It was immediately apparent by his skeptical expression that he didn’t believe her, but she wasn’t going to make matters worse by trying to explain. Jeremy had simply boggled her with his good looks, but this Malory stirred things up in her that she didn’t understand. With Jeremy, she had suspected things would be quite simple. With this man, she didn’t think anything would be simple. So certainly she would have preferred Jeremy, for the relationship she entered with him wouldn’t have been all that complicated.
    When he said nothing, just continued to look doubtful, despite knowing she shouldn’t, she got defensive and said stiffly, “I can assure you, Lord Malory, that I find you infinitely preferable to those other two gentlemen you outbid. However, I didn’t realize that my preferences mattered in the least in your transaction. I wasn’t asked if you will do. That option wasn’t included in the bargain I made. Or did you want it to be?”
    Turning the tables on him made him smile, though the expression didn’t quite reach his eyes. And his tone was on the dry side as he said, “Excellent point, m’dear. Perhaps weshould start again. Come here, and I will endeavor to make you forget it isn’t Jeremy sitting here. And you can endeavor to make me believe that you have forgotten.”
    She stared at the hand he held out to her. She couldn’t very well refuse it. But already her belly was starting to churn with those strange feelings, and when she actually put her hand in his, she almost gasped, the feeling leapt with such strong currents.
    “Much better,” Derek said as he settled her back on his lap.
    Kelsey was positive her cheeks were burning in expectation of his kiss. But he didn’t kiss her. He moved her a tad this way, and a little that way, then his arms settled around her and she heard him sigh.
    “You can relax, m’dear,” he told her in a somewhat amused tone. “Rest your head wherever you like. I believe I’m just going to get used to holding you for a while.”
    She hadn’t expected that, but some of the stiffness went out of her upon hearing it. “I’m not too heavy?”
    He chuckled. “Not a’tall.”
    The carriage continued to rattle along the city streets, which were heavily congested at that time of the morning with delivery carts and wagons and so many people on their way to work. By the time they reached the outskirts of the city, Kelsey was feeling relaxed enough to finally rest her head against his chest. One of his hands came up to her head when she did, a thumb smoothing against her cheek,which she didn’t mind in the least. The scent of him was so pleasant, clean and spicy, and she liked that too.
    “How far is it to Bridgewater?” she thought to ask after a while.
    “Since we will be stopping for lunch along the way, most likely it will take all day.”
    “And what’s in Bridgewater?”
    “I