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 Well, you succeeded magnificently. His gaze dropped to the plunging neckline of her gown, where the creamy fullness of her breasts strained against the red silk.  I
am enticed beyond words.
She finally met his gaze and for a long moment, the entire world fell away. Nothing mattered except Emma, the music, and the way she felt in his arms.
 Does this mean I might be able to coax you out to the terrace again tonight? Her hand tightened around his.  I need to spend some time alone with you, Michael.
You ve been so distant this past week...I fear I m having doubts again.
He glanced surreptitiously around, wrenched back to the present. His upbringing had made it impossible to live in the moment or to flaunt Society s expectations.
Everyone would be watching them. They couldn t sneak away from a party in their honor without creating another firestorm of gossip.
But he wanted to take her out on the terrace. He wanted it with an intensity that took his breath away.
 I d like to be alone with you, but I m afraid it simply isn t possible. He shook his head, wishing he was someone else, wishing he was the kind of man she wanted
him to be.  Perhaps you re right. I m really not very good at courting, am I? I m good at arranging things, and making lists, but I seem to be very bad at whispering sweet
words.
She laughed.  You re very good at kissing me, Michael. And that s really all that matters.
Unbelievable, that she was willing to dismiss all his other faults, simply because of the passion they d shared. He d never known such a contrary, exasperating female.
He d never been so enchanted.
 Tonight we must make at least a show of propriety, he told her with regret.  But soon there won t be anything standing between us. His blood pulsed deep and
heavy at the very thought.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth in a gesture he found unbearably erotic.  All right, she told him, her voice heavy with resignation.  But I expect you to
make the wait worth my while.
Once again, Emma found herself revising everything she thought she d known about her future husband.
His reaction to her gown had been exactly what she d hoped for, but the very last thing she d expected. There had been true admiration in his eyes when he d seen
her, even a bit of amusement at her attempts to flaunt convention.
By stating his approval for everyone to hear, he d made it impossible for anyone to snub her. Then, when they d danced, he d let down his guard and showed her that
sweet, tender side she so desperately wanted to get to know.
The rest of the evening passed in a wonderful blur. Michael remained at her side, deftly keeping her separated from the earl, whose expression grew more thunderous
with each passing moment. She ignored her future father-in-law, too pleased with Michael s abrupt change in behavior to let Warren s annoyance touch her.
The last of her doubt vanished like smoke in the wind. Just two more weeks, she reminded herself. Two more weeks of distance and loneliness and then Michael
would be hers.
****
Emma chafed with impatience as her father s scheduled arrival from New York grew near. They hadn t seen each other since her mother had passed away last
winter, and she ached to see him.
So it was to her very great surprise and delight when her butler interrupted her during breakfast to tell her Black Jack Marks had arrived a full day ahead of schedule.
She raced down the hall with unladylike haste and found her father in the foyer, directing his entourage of servants as they carried in his luggage.
 Papa! she cried, launching herself into his arms.  I didn t expect you until tomorrow.
Jack laughed and hugged her so tightly she could barely breathe.  Ah, sweetheart. I came over on one of my newest acquisitions bought the whole damned shipping
yard, don t you know and I couldn t resist seeing what the old girl could do.
Emma took a deep breath of her father s distinctive scent tobacco, leather and bay rum.  Well, I m glad you re here. I ve missed you terribly.
Jack held her a moment longer, then let her go.  Let me have a look at you. He twirled her around in a dizzying rush.  Lovelier than ever, he pronounced.  No
wonder these English chaps couldn t resist you.
Emma beamed at her father s assessment, but she d been surveying him as well and was dismayed to see how much he d aged since they last parted. He was still big
and hearty, his dark hair and beard untouched by gray and as unruly as ever. But lines of sadness etched his face and his dark eyes no longer twinkled.
 I only wish mother could be here with us. Emma forced herself to mention the ghost that stood between them, because she knew her father would never do so.
 She would have liked Lord Sherbourne.
Her father nodded and looked away.  Yes, I m sure she would have. She would be very proud of you, honey.
She blinked away threatening tears.  I wish you could have made it in time for the engagement party. It went brilliantly.
Jack frowned and leaned against the carved banister at the foot of the grand staircase.  You should have waited until I arrived. I m not at all comfortable with the
speed at which things are progressing. Surely your young man can wait long enough to get his hands on your dowry to give you the kind of wedding you deserve.
She bit her lip, hating this reminder of Michael s true motives.  I ve come to understand the wedding itself doesn t matter, as long as I m happy about who I m
marrying.
 But what about all your plans? Jack questioned.  I know how much it meant to you to marry at St. James church.
 I only wanted everyone who d shunned me to see what a glorious match I d made, she admitted.  But I ve come to realize a front page announcement in the New
York Times would suit me just as well.
Jack gave a hearty laugh.  Consider it done. Then he sobered and cleared his throat.  I ve drawn up a marriage contract, honey. You re getting a lump sum, plus a
generous yearly income, but the terms of the contract will insure that you retain some control over how it s spent. He shook his head.  I ve heard stories of heiresses
whose husbands ran through their dowries in a matter of months, then shipped them off to rot at some remote country estate while they returned to their mistresses.
A chill traveled down Emma s spine at the picture her father portrayed.  Michael would never do such a terrible thing.
 I certainly hope not. But it doesn t matter. We re not going to give him the opportunity, honey. By the time my lawyers are through with him, he ll have to ask your
permission to piss.
She shook her head, filled with foreboding.  He s very proud, father. I fear he ll call the entire wedding off, rather than sign such a thing. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]