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He was still half naked. And now, in perfect focus.
“This isn’t that kind of visit.” “Give me a moment to absorb the disappointment.”
Only days later, while she was banging away at a cliff face with a rock hammer, would the perfect retort spring to mind.
It’s inconceivable that a man like you could be in—” She swallowed. “Could be taken with a girl like me.” “I didn’t mean it that way.”
Don’t you know? A man might engage in flirtation with disinterest, even disdain. But he never teases without affection.”
Diana has the chance to catch a wealthy, handsome viscount, and I won’t allow you to stand in her way. Who else is going to save this family? You?” She laughed bitterly. Minerva couldn’t even summon a response.
She’d always wondered what it would feel like to stand on one end of a ballroom and watch a handsome, powerful man make his way to her.
Truly? That whole determined, dangerous saunter across the room was for me? In that case, would you mind going back and doing it all over again? Slowly this time, and with feeling.
That for all her unfeminine interests and education, she was pure woman beneath. That she didn’t feel prickly and stubborn in his arms, but warm and pliant, her curves molding to his strength.
He held out his hands in an attitude of illustration and cleared his throat. “It’s like this, you see. When a man cares for a woman very, very much . .
He believes the creature that left this footprint will be recorded as a new species. I’ll even get to name it.” “Name it?” Colin eyed the plaster cast. “Why go to Scotland for that? We can name it right here. I suggest ‘Frank.’
“Sometimes apparent dislike can mask an underlying attraction.”
She only just mentions him here, halfway through. And clever as she’s supposed to be, she can’t even spell his name. P-A-I-N, she has it.”
“You don’t stab him, pet,” he said gently. “You use the knife to cut me loose.” “Oh. Oh yes.”
“You need a blush on those cheeks if you’re to play my trollop, and we haven’t any rouge.”
Without her spectacles, at this close range, he was little more than an unshaven blur. But he was an achingly handsome blur, nonetheless.
“Marry? You?” He tried not to take offense. “I must say, Minerva. That’s not exactly the breathless, overjoyed acceptance a man might wish to hear.”
He pushed her spectacles back up her nose, so that she could focus on his face.
If it pleased this girl to believe in true love and tales that ended happily for all concerned, Thorne would carry all manner of unpleasant truths to his grave. After all, this secret was hardly the first. Just one of many he’d vowed to keep, for her happiness’s sake.
“Apparent dislike often masks a hidden attraction.”
“I’ve fallen in love with you,” she said, with quiet resignation. “If I appear changed somehow, I can only imagine that’s why.”
you are worthy, Colin. You’re a generous, good-hearted person, and you deserve to be loved. Deeply, truly, well, and often.”
“Min, don’t ever leave me.”
“Yes, I can imagine. They’ll all be wondering what that awkward little bluestocking slipped in your wine to make you go so addled.” “No. Don’t speak that way.”
“I hate it when you speak ill of yourself, Min. I’d visit bodily harm on anyone who dared insult you, but I don’t know how to guard you from yourself. So kindly do me a favor, and just . . . don’t. All right?”
“Spoiling you will bring me so much pleasure. I’ll make you feel like a queen. I’ll do everything I can to win you.”
God, he loved the look of her well tumbled. His heart and his loins argued he should marry her at once and keep her here, so he could start enjoying this sight every day. Every night.
