Rake's Guide to Pleasure. (41 page)

"I
'm afraid
I
'll be like him," she said again, relieved to have said it, finally.

"You won't."

She turned away from his touch and buried her face in his shoulder. "I am wicked with you."

"Yes, you are." She shook her head hard.

"Just as you should be. I will be your husband. How sad if you could not be wicked with me."

"Other wives are not—"

"Other husbands are not me. And everyone, Emma . . .
everyone wants to be tied up with silk ribbons on occasion."

"You!" she gasped and reared back to hit him. He'd promised never to even mention it. His hands caught hers in an easy grip.

"Everyone," he whispered and kissed her closed lips. His eyes sparkled down at her, inviting her to laugh, and Emma's outrage slowly floated away. Wicked man.

"Even you?" she asked and was rewarded with a slow, wide smile that called to mind fallen angels. His eyes fell to her mouth.

"Even me."

Oh, that might be worth any risk at all. Hart's eyes sparked with triumph. The man could see everything about her. "And children?" she blurted out.

"We will do our best to wait until you're ready. That will be your decision. It is a gamble, but. . . Make this your last, great gamble, Emma." He kissed the knuckles of her left hand. "The best bet you've ever placed. Risk everything on me. Be afraid if you must, Emma, but love me."

"I . . ." Her stupid heart was doing happy flips in her chest. "I. . ." Oh, she could not do it.

But Hart knew her far too well. He tossed one more wager on the table. "Ten thousand a year in pin money to sweeten the pot."

Her mouth trembled into a smile. She did not care about the money, but it was so much easier to pretend greed while she bared her tender soul. "Done," she whispered.

"Done?"

"I mean, yes. Yes, I will marry you. And I will . . . I. . ."
His eyes shone with joy. "I will love you and be very afraid while I'm doing it."

But when he sighed and kissed her, Emma felt not a stitch of fear. Instead she felt hopeful and strong and very, very lucky. But she was not above hedging her bets. "If you ever betray me, I will move
Stimp
from your London household to
Somerhart
."

Hart's jaw dropped in mock horror.

"He has expressed an interest in training to be your driver. Perhaps even your valet."

Real horror replaced his acting. "Well, there is your insurance then, Emma. Trust me to be completely devoted."

"I will." And strangely enough, she knew that she would.