The Earl's Intimate Error (7 page)

She must have appeared rather hesitant because he was suddenly serious.

“You don’t…you don’t actually care for him, do you? Hell, Prudence it would rip out my heart if you did, but if you’d rather have him, I suppose…”

“No, I don’t care for Lord Archer. Not in any passionate way, I assure you. It was just, well…I knew everyone wanted me to find a husband, so I said I’d consider.”

“Well, you’ve found a husband. By God, Prudence, I’ve treated you abominably. Can you forgive me? Please say that you will, and that you’ll marry me at the earliest possible moment.”

She pretended to be undecided. Yes, he had treated her abominably. There was no sense giving her consent too quickly, was there? He deserved to suffer in uncertainty just for a moment. Or two.

“Well, I suppose there’s one thing you’ll need to agree to,” she said slowly, chewing her lip.

“Anything. Name it.”

“My father’s stable is in trouble,” she said. “Whomever I marry must agree to rescue it, to get my father back on his feet. Figuratively, of course.”

“Of course! Whatever your father needs. All that I have will be yours, Prudence. Your father can build a hundred more stables if he likes.”

“Good heavens, a hundred? I was already working my fingers to the bone mucking his stalls in the one that he had. Would you have me mucking a hundred?”

“If that’s what you want, Prudence Canton, then that’s what you may do. Now please, put me out of my misery and say you’ll be my wife.”

She tipped her face toward his so he’d have no trouble hearing her words. Or kissing her after them.

“Of course I love you, my lord. And I’ll marry you today or tomorrow or whenever you want.”

There was no need for more words after that. She was already snuggled against him, her lips primed and ready, so he took full advantage of it. If it were possible, he seemed to be kissing her with even more tenderness, more fervor than he had been before. His touch was not only tantalizing and hot, it was now possessive and sure. He’d been promised she was his, no matter who interrupted them now. He kissed her like a man devouring his favorite meal.

Apparently they had remarkably similar tastes. She devoured him right back and reveled in his passion, knowing it was only for her.

This was nothing like nuzzling a horse.