Chapter 9

H olbrook wanted to court her.

To court her.

It was the opposite of what Lucy had wanted when she decided to approach him about having an affair. Although, given the way he'd watched her during the Clarington ball, she might have found herself facing this same dilemma even if she hadn't reached out to him first.

The courtship would be an inconvenience, but she didn't regret what had transpired between them. The opposite was true—she'd been unable to think of little else.

She should have insisted there could be no possibility of him courting her. What had possessed her to accept his wager?

You'd been considering that perhaps Holbrook would show you what you've been missing all these years.

Lucy stared at her reflection in the dressing table mirror after dismissing her maid. The young woman had helped her into a flattering medium-blue dress trimmed with white flowers for that afternoon's excursion. After spending the past year in black, it was still strange to see herself in lighter colors. The woman staring back at her looked younger. Happier.

With a sigh, she opened the top drawer of the dressing table and took out the note Holbrook had sent her that morning.

I hope you will grant me the pleasure of taking you for a drive this afternoon.

—Holbrook

The devil had actually underlined the word pleasure , which told her he was also thinking about what they'd done yesterday.

She shouldn't have been surprised by his impudence, but she couldn't hold back her blush when Charlotte read the note over her shoulder. The shrewd look in her friend's eyes told her that Charlotte knew exactly to what he was referring.

Fortunately her friend hadn't commented on Holbrook's phrasing. Given the eye-opening conversation they'd had yesterday, Lucy was still reeling from the fact she'd been married for eleven years and somehow knew very little about the act of lovemaking. But given the small taste of delight she'd experienced at Holbrook's hands, she couldn't wait to experience more.

Holbrook called promptly at the appointed time. She took his arm as they left the house, and he led her to his open carriage. She couldn't resist the temptation to lean a little too close to him, enjoying the feel of his strong arm and remembering how he'd touched her.

It was ridiculous how excited she was for the opportunity to spend time with him again. The temperature was mild for April and there were birds singing, but the man standing next to her, handing her into his carriage, eclipsed everything else. They both wore gloves, so there was nothing scandalous in taking his hand as he helped her into the carriage. Yet memories of how he had touched her yesterday assailed her at the simple gesture.

When he climbed onto the seat next to her and took up the reins with a smile, she was powerless to keep from returning it. If she didn't gain control of herself, everyone would soon be witnessing her all but swooning over this man.

She faced forward as she tried to tamp down her too-wide grin. They were in an open carriage, and in only a few minutes they'd be arriving at Hyde Park during the fashionable hour. It would be crowded, and if she couldn't control the breathless excitement threatening to overtake her just from sitting so close to Holbrook, it would be akin to making a public announcement about their relationship. People would talk.

Did she even care? It wasn't as though anyone would censure her. But it seemed a little unfair that they might become the subject of intense speculation before they'd shared a bed.

Although remembering her conversation with Charlotte yesterday, she supposed a bed wasn't strictly necessary.

Holbrook glanced at her before looking back at the horses. "I was disappointed you weren't at the Henderson ball last night. I'm thankful the duke and duchess were there because they saved me the trouble of searching everywhere for you."

She let out a surprised chuckle as she pictured him running from one event to another. Surely he wouldn't actually have left the ball to go in search of her. On any given evening there were a number of events, both public and private. And that wasn't even counting the theater or the opera.

She gave him what she hoped was an arch look. "Why didn't I know you were such a flatterer?"

He glanced sideways at her. His grin was still in place, but now it was subdued. "I'm speaking the truth. Tell me, Lucy, were you hiding from me last night? Have you changed your mind about us?"

She hadn't given him permission to use her given name, but after the intimacies they'd shared yesterday, she wasn't going to chastise him for taking that liberty. Besides, she liked the way her name sounded in his deep tone. It reminded her of the moment he'd asked her if he could touch her.

A shiver of delight raced through her. Still, she wasn't so carried away with her memories that she couldn't see he was worried. Given their very different reasons for conducting this relationship, she could understand why he'd ask.

"You won the wager, my lord. I am honor bound to uphold my end of it."

He was concentrating now on bringing the carriage safely into the park. And luck was on their side because it seemed they were one of the first to arrive. Which meant the two lines forming between his brows was due to her failed attempt to keep their conversation lighthearted. She hated that she'd caused him even a moment of concern.

She placed a hand on his forearm, and he glanced at her. "I have no reservations about our present course of action even though we don't agree on the future outcome."

Her heart lightened when his expression cleared.

"It's early days yet. We'll worry about the future later. For now, I plan to enjoy our time together."

So did she. But she couldn't resist the temptation to tease him. "My brother knows about us."

When he winced, she had to bite her cheek to keep from laughing aloud.

"Don't tell me one of the servants heard us and rushed to tell him what happened. Should I expect to be called out?"

She thought he was teasing, but then she saw his frown. "Are you worried?"

"Of course. I've seen your brother when he's angry."

Alex wouldn't physically harm Holbrook. If he had allowed Mansfield to continue with his affairs—albeit begrudgingly—he certainly wouldn't call Holbrook out for bringing her happiness. But it was undeniable Alex had the power to make the viscount's life very uncomfortable.

"You can relax. When he learned you'd called yesterday, Charlotte told him you're courting me. We'll allow him to continue thinking that."

"I am courting you."

Her smile was sheepish. "I suppose you are."

"I'll speak to him. Let him know my intentions are honorable."

"And then I'll let him know that any decision about whether I'll marry again rests solely with me."

Holbrook leaned close until their shoulders touched. "I'll do my best to make myself indispensable to you. I'll devote my every waking hour to ensuring you are satisfied?—"

She covered her face with her hands, unable to look at him. The images conjured by his low, seductive voice—images of things she now knew they could do together—was almost too much to bear.

She peeked between her fingers when he laughed at her dismay, then dropped her hands and glared at him. "You are incorrigible."

"Would you want me any other way?"

No, she wouldn't. God help her, but she might want this man just a little too much.

The carriage had slowed to a crawl, and she realized that while they'd been talking, the park had begun to fill with other vehicles. She glanced around, wondering if any of their friends were here. It was a shock to realize that most of the men present were all but staring at them.

She glanced at Holbrook and lowered her voice. "We seem to be attracting a lot of attention."

One corner of his mouth kicked up in his lopsided smile. "That's hardly surprising given I'm here with the most desirable woman. They're probably plotting my demise so they can get to you."

He was so ridiculous that she couldn't hold back her laughter. "Don't worry—I'll protect you."