The Earl's Irresistible Challenge. Lara Temple

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СКАЧАТЬ minimal; for all he knew they all reacted like that at the prospect of physical intimacy.

      Before he could respond she pressed her hands together, calming. ‘But I might marry him, if I cannot solve this any other way.’

      ‘How precisely would matrimony solve it?’

      ‘Well, it would at least solve the financial concerns that Henry’s death caused. I am very wealthy, you see. If my brother Jack had married his sister Phoebe they would have had his protection, both financial and otherwise, but he died and now it falls to me to help as much as I can.’

      ‘I see. Very noble of you.’

      ‘It has nothing to do with being noble. I am merely trying to do what is right for people for whom I care deeply. To answer your as-yet-unspoken question, no, I will not cease merely because you tell me to, so I think it is in your best interest to help me rather than try to chase me away.’

      ‘And so we circle back to your agenda. Are you always this stubborn or do I bring out the worst in you?’

      ‘Both.’

      He laughed, moving forward to raise her chin with the tips of his fingers.

      ‘Do you know, if you want me to comply, you should try to be a little less demanding and a little more conciliating.’

      ‘I don’t know why I should bother. You will no doubt do precisely as you wish without regard for anyone. So far, the only way I have found of persuading you is either by appealing to your curiosity or to your self-interest. I don’t see what good begging would do.’

      He slid his thumb gently over her chin, just brushing the line of her lip, and watched as her eyes dilated with what could as much be a sign of alarm as physical interest. He wished he knew which. His blood was simmering, expanding, demanding he find out.

      ‘It depends what you are begging for,’ he said softly, pulling very slightly on her lower lip. Her breath caught, but she still did not move. Stubborn and imprudent. Or did she really trust him not to take advantage of the fact that they were alone in an empty house in a not-very-genteel part of London?

      It really was a pity she planned to waste herself on that dull and dependable young man. What on earth did she think her life would be like with him? All that leashed intensity would burn the poor fool to a crisp if he ever set it loose, which was unlikely. A couple of years of being tied to him and she would be chomping at the bit and probably very ripe for a nice flirtation.

      He shook his head at his thoughts. Whatever else he was, and whatever his body was unexpectedly demanding, he had never yet crossed the line with an inexperienced young woman; they were too apt to confuse physical pleasure with emotional connection. It wouldn’t be smart to indulge this temptation to see if those lips were as soft and delectable as they looked. Not smart, but very tempting...

      ‘You could always offer a trade,’ he prompted gently, testing the line of her lip with another soft brush of his thumb. The sensation was addictive.

      ‘A trade?’ Her voice was husky and she cleared her throat.

      ‘I will try to find out who Eldritch is...’

      ‘And what must I do?’ Her expression was wary, but she did not pull away and if anything the tension in her shoulders relaxed, as if becoming accustomed to the licence he was taking. He wasn’t certain that was an encouraging sign either.

      ‘If it is about turning my back on this, then there is no trade,’ she added as the silence stretched.

      ‘I wouldn’t think of asking for something I know you are constitutionally incapable of. It is something much simpler.’

      ‘Well, what?’ She frowned and he hesitated. However much he wanted to test this strange need that was sinking its claws in him, the thought of asking her for something she had shown such an aversion to when approached by her friend was too uncomfortable. It was a breach of trust where trust should not be an issue at all, and that was problematic. He breathed in and dropped his hand, stepping back.

      ‘Never mind.’

      She moved towards him.

      ‘No. Tell me what it is!’

      The command should have served further to convince him he should leave this room, this house, this peculiar woman’s fantasy. Instead it prodded further at his own fantasy.

      ‘You tell me. What would that information be worth?’

      ‘Do you mean in monetary terms?’

      ‘No. I have no need for your money. This is pointless. Goodbye, Miss Silverdale.’

      She caught his arm.

      ‘Oh, please just tell me. I need your help, but I have nothing else to offer but my money. Nothing someone like you might value, at least.’

      ‘Someone like me?’

      Her beseeching eyes fell from his.

      ‘Someone with...experience. I can hardly imagine you would wish for anything along such lines from someone like me.’

      ‘Someone like you?’

      ‘Unremarkable.’ The word burst from her as if it had been lodged in her throat. It was not her word, and that was surprising in itself. Who in their right mind would call this woman unremarkable?

      ‘That is one epithet I would never associate with you. Believe me, Miss Silverdale, you are one of the most remarkable women of my acquaintance.’

      Her cheeks, already pink, heated and so did every cell in his body. He touched his fingers lightly to the hand clutching his arm so desperately.

      ‘I will pledge to find this Mr Eldritch for you if I can.’

      Her hand did not relax.

      ‘You will? Just like that? Without recompense?’

      ‘Without. But then you are on your own.’

      She let go and as her tension seeped away he saw the return of her curiosity.

      ‘What were you about to ask for, Lord Sinclair?’

      ‘You have what you wanted. What difference does it make?’

      ‘I dare say it doesn’t, but I am curious.’

      He sighed. ‘Of course you are. You will be pleased to find you were spared the noxious experience of being asked for a kiss.’

      Her eyes widened in disbelief.

      ‘A kiss?’

      ‘You needn’t sound so shocked.’

      ‘You cannot be serious,’ she said, her voice scolding.

      ‘Rarely, but in this instance I am. It was merely a kiss, I was not about to ask for your first-born child.’

      ‘But why?’

      ‘Now СКАЧАТЬ