with his quarry.
He looked around and realized that
today he would be doing his hunting
in a real jungle. He examined the view
through the glass. Beyond the conservatory
windows was a large, charming garden
with a familiar-looking brick wall covered
in ivy.
I wondered what the garden looked like
by day," Lucas remarked.
Victoria's brows snapped together in
an admonishing frown." Hush, my lord.
Someone might overhear you."
Not likely. We appear to have the
place to ourselves." He examined the lush
greenery and the array of exotic blooms
that filled the glass room." You and your
aunt are, indeed, interested in horticulture,
aren't you? This is amazing."
My aunt had the conservatory built
some years ago," Victoria said as she started
down one green-shrouded aisle." She has
friends who travel all over the world and
send us cuttings and small plants. Recently
Sir Percy Hickinbottom, one of her many
admirers, sent a new variety of rose he
discovered on an expedition in China. He
named it Cleo's Blush China in her honor.
Wasn't that sweet? Last month he sent
the most beautiful chrysanthemum plant.
We are quite hopeful it will survive. Are
you at all familiar with chrysanthemums,
my lord?"
No, but I do know what it means when
a person suddenly becomes excessively
chatty. Relax, Victoria. There is no need
to be so anxious."
I am not at all anxious." Her chin
lifted proudly as she paused beside a large
tray of strange, lumpish-looking plants that
were covered in thorns." Do you care for
cacti?"
Lucas glanced down curiously at the
assortment of spiny plants that were unlike
anything he had ever seen. Experimentally
he touched one of the thorns and
discovered it was needle sharp. He glanced
up and met Victoria's gaze.
I am always interested in an adversary's
defenses," Lucas said.
Is that because it is your instinct to find
a way past those defenses?"
Only when the prize promises to be
worth the battle." He was going to enjoy
fencing with her, Lucas thought. She was
no coward.
How can you estimate the value of the
prize in advance of the battle?"
t had not been a mistake after all to
kiss her last night, Lucas decided. He knew
from the way she was watching him that
she had been thinking a great deal about
the embrace they had shared," Sometimes
one is allowed a small sample of the goods.
The bit I was allowed to taste last night
was very promising."
I see. And do you go around sampling
a great many potential prizes before you
determine which ones you will pursue?"
She glared at him.
His mouth quirked as he saw the hauteur
flash in her eyes." One must have some
basis for comparison."
The hauteur changed almost imperceptibly
into disgust. She turned away and
started down the aisle again." I rather
suspected that might be the case."
Lucas was suddenly annoyed. She had
started this. He reached out and clamped
a hand around her wrist, drawing her to a
sudden halt. She swung around to fix him
with a defiant gaze.
What is it, Victoria? You don't like the
fact that there have been other prizes in my
life? They have not been very important."
I do not like the fact that you may
have been very indiscriminate in selecting
and pursuing those prizes, nor the fact that
you have been casual about the matter."
I assure you, I have never been
indiscriminate and rarely casual. In truth,
there have not been all that many prizes.
I have spent most of my life in the army,
and one does not keep expensive mistresses
on an officer's pay." He deliberately exerted
enough pressure on her wrist to draw her
closer." What about you? You fence very
skillfully. Is it because you have had a great
deal of experience at this game?"
I have had a great deal of practice at
playing the role of cactus, my lord."
And tell me," Lucas said smiling,"
has anyone ever gotten past the spines?"
That is none of your affair, is it?"
He saw the bright warmth in her cheeks
but her eyes never wavered." Forgive me.
I cannot help but entertain a certain
curiosity under the circumstances. After
all, I fully intend to get past the thorns
and claim the treasure for myself. I told
you that much last night."
You are not subtle, are you, stone vale?"
she said.
I am when subtlety is required, but I
think I can be completely honest about
my intentions in this case. You're not
a silly young girl straight out of the
schoolroom. I do not think you are the
type to be easily frightened by an honest
man's intentions."
Victoria straightened and peered at him.
Speaking of honesty, just what are your
intentions, my lord? You were not quite
clear on that subject last night. I must
know."
I thought I had made myself very
plain. You must be aware by now that
I want you. I will do what I must to
claim you."
Last night
she began urgently, and
then broke off, hunting for the right words.
Last night I warned you not to think in
terms of marriage."
I
heard your warning.
You
issued
it
several times in a variety of ways, as I
recall."
You do understand, then, that I am
not playing a game when it comes to that
subject? I have no interest in marriage."
I understand." Lucas smiled faintly at
the earnest expression in her eyes. She
might not think she was playing a game,
but that fact would not save her from
losing it." You do want to play other
games, though, do you not, Victoria?
Midnight games?"
She was silent for a moment, but Lucas
noticed that her fingers trembled ever so
slightly as she reached up absently to
touch a broad leaf that draped over her
shoulder." You were right last night, my
lord. I would dearly love a companion to
share my evening adventures. Someone I
can trust to keep his silence, someone
who can take me into the sort of places I
cannot go alone or even with friends such
as Annabella Lyndwood and her brother. I
admit that what you offered in the garden
last night is very tempting. What worries
me most is that you seem to be aware of
just how tempting I find it."
You hesitate because you are not certain
you can take what I offer and get away
without paying for it. Is that the problem,
Victoria?"
She nodded, her mouth curving wryly.
You are quite correct, my lord. You have
gone straight to the heart of the matter.
I am not at all certain you will remain
satisfied with whatever payment I choose
to bestow."
Lucas drew a long breath and folded
his arms across his chest." The problem,
it would seem, is mine. As long as I am
satisfied with the bargain, why should you
worry?"
Because, quite frankly, my lord, I do
not see you remaining content with a few
stolen kisses taken in the garden, and I
promise you that is all you will get from
me by way of payment. There. Have I
made myself perfectly clear?"
Perfectly."
She waited for him to argue, and when
he politely examined the unusual cacti
instead, she lost a measure of her self
control, just as Lucas had known she
would. The lady was swimming far out of
her depth and she did not yet realize it.
There will be no talk of marriage?" she
demanded.
None." He tested the spine of another
of the curious cactus plants and found it
as sharp as the first." But I feel compelled
to warn you that my guarantee not to speak
of marriage does not mean I will not do
my best to lure you into my arms. You
are right, Victoria. I would like more than
a few stolen kisses from you."
You are far too bold, my lord."
I see no need to dance around the truth.
You know what I want in exchange for my
companionship at midnight."
Then the price is too high. I will never
pay it," she said.
I said you would know the price I seek,
I did not say I will force you to pay it."
He looked at her, enjoying the storm of
emotion and curiosity that lit her eyes.
You need have no fear of me, Victoria.
You have my word of honor I will not
force your surrender."
Pray, do not use that word again," she
said through her teeth.
Lucas shrugged." Surrender? Very well.
Use whatever word you wish to describe
my goal, but do not deceive yourself about
the nature of that goal."
Her mouth pursed with strong dis
approval." Your goal, my lord, is a most
dishonorable one."
You leave me little choice. You have
forbidden me to speak of a more honorable
one."
It seems to me you agreed very quickly
not to speak of it," she pointed out tartly.
She toyed thoughtfully with the leaf that
hung over her shoulder." One would almost
think, my lord, that you are not interested
in marriage, after all."
Not every man is, Victoria. Why should
a sane man rush to sacrifice his freedom
if he can claim the woman he wants
without giving her his name?" he pointed
out dryly.