Wicked Temptation (Regency Sinners 6)(40)

Loving Titus as she undoubtedly did, she could not bear to live a lifetime of such unhappiness.

If Titus did not or could not love her, then it was better if they did not marry at all—

“Viscount Romney is downstairs asking to see Lady Prudence,” Mayberry announced from the doorway.

Pru rose to her feet for a second time in as many minutes, her breath seeming to have become lodged in her throat.

“See him in your own little parlor, darling,” her mother advised gently as she stood. “You can talk privately there.”

She shot her mother a grateful glance before turning back to the butler. “If you wouldn’t mind, Mayberry.”

“Of course, Lady Prudence.” He bowed out of the room.

“Go, darling.” The countess gave Pru’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “And do not do anything hotheaded out of a sense of misplaced pride.”

Pru smiled ruefully. Her mother knew her far too well. “I will try not to, Mama.”

“I suggest you try harder than you usually do,” the older woman cautioned.

“It is only that Titus has this…ability to rouse my temper, and then I end up saying things I did not mean to say.”

“But he also arouses you in other ways. Try to remember that when you feel your temper getting the better of you.” Her mother gave her an encouraging smile.

Pru was calm and composed and standing near the window of her own private parlor when Mayberry announced Titus before promptly bowing out of the room.

“That is a magnificent pose,” Romney drawled as he strolled farther into the room. “The light behind you turns your hair to gold, and the material of that gown is just thin enough for me to be able to see the delicious outline of your body beneath.”

Pru’s cheeks flushed at his having immediately realized exactly why she was standing where she was. “State your business and be on your way,” she snapped her displeasure, at the same time as she offered a silent apology to her mother for having once again allowed her temper to get the better of her.

“My business, my dear Pru, is you.” He crossed the room with the stealth of a predator, until he stood only inches in front of her. He looked resplendent in a dark blue superfine and dark gray pantaloons, a diamond pin adorning his snowy-white neckcloth. “Always you.”

Her chin rose in challenge. “I have definitely decided I shall not marry you.”

“Have you, indeed,” he murmured softly. “Then it is as well my will is stronger than your own, and I decided some time ago that we should marry.”

Pru looked at him askance. “How long ago?”

He shrugged. “The idea has occurred to me several times, but I believe it was while I lay abed here after being shot, watching you guard and defend me like the lioness you are, that decided me once and for all.”

“But we only— It was only yesterday that I—”

“That we,” he corrected huskily. “Do you really believe I could not have halted your seduction if I had wished to do so?” he cajoled. “Admittedly, removing my cock before releasing proved to be a challenge beyond me,” he added self-derisively. “But prior to that, I could have stopped our lovemaking at any time.”

“Then why did you not do so and avoid our current predicament?”

His mouth curved into an enigmatic smile. “Have I told you how magnificent you look when you are angry?”

“Is that the reason you enjoy rousing my temper so often?”

His smiled widened. “Oh no, my dear Pru. I do that because I know lovemaking usually follows one of your outbursts. I find I have become addicted to both.”

“Nonsense,” Pru snapped briskly, stepping out and away from his proximity. His seductive proximity.

The things Titus was saying to her were…tempting, so very tempting, but they did nothing to change the fact he still had not mentioned the word love. She could not and would not marry a man who did not love her and would turn to other women the moment the novelty of their marriage wore off.

She stood in front of the unlit fireplace. “Why were you called away so urgently yesterday evening?”

Titus dampened his disappointment at Pru’s change of subject. It was perhaps better that they get these other matters out of the way before he strengthened his campaign regarding the arrangements for their marriage.

“It was one of my own men at the door,” he reported briskly. “They have been keeping watch on the house of the man who disappeared at the docks in the hope he might return there eventually. Late yesterday evening, their vigilance paid off, and they were able to apprehend and arrest him. He has admitted his accomplice is responsible for hiring men to kill Pricilla and Worthington, and for the accidental killing of Parker. That bullet was apparently meant for me.”

“That’s—that is marvelous— Not that they shot and killed three people and seriously injured you,” she added hastily. “But that you now have someone in custody in connection with those murders.”

“It is and it isn’t,” Titus allowed with a grimace.

She stilled, her smile fading. “The accomplice is the Duchess of Stonewell?”

“Yes.” Titus knew he would never forget the look on Stonewell’s face when the man they had in custody named Nik’s wife as his contact and informant.