The Governess Game

An inconvenience?” he echoed. “Alexandra, you are asking me to make love to you in a dozen different positions. If that’s an inconvenience, I beg you. Impose upon me nightly.”

“It hurts like the devil. I’m sorry, but you’re either unusually large or unusually bad at this. I suspect it’s the former.”

Ten weeks is nothing. It’s been ten months for me.”

Alex was stunned. “What?”

“We collided in Hatchard’s bookshop in November of last year,” he said. “But perhaps you don’t recall.”

. “You’re even braver than you are beautiful.” He kissed her on the forehead. “And though I’ve no right to be, I’m excessively proud.”

“I’d part with my life before I let you go.”

Dear Mr. Raynod,

Sam says evry time you kiss Miss Montbadin we have an outing. Pleas get well and kiss her soon.

Yours truley, Daisy Fairfax and Milisent Fairfax

So I can buy you a new one. One that’s warmer, finer. As lovely as the woman who wears it.” He pushed the ruined garment down her shoulders. “Besides, I’ve always wanted to do that.”

“It was rather arousing, I must admit.”

It’s different,” he murmured, “when the touch belongs to another. Anticipation lays a fuse through your veins. The slightest caress is a spark.”

“We should go after the girls.”

“Yes, we should.”

Neither of them moved.

Alex bit her lip. “We’re going to kiss instead, aren’t we.”

He caught her in his arms. “You’re goddamned right, we are.”

Then I learn you’re remarkable and bold and interesting.”

Well, Alex thought, that stupid song in her brain had four words now.