Description
"My lord, I'm not going to shed my gown in front of you in broad daylight."
"Because you can't," he said smugly. "Because it isn't proper."
"Not true. It's because there's not even a slight chance you can reach those top buttons." He was right, of course. With no maid she'd never manage. She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I'll rip it if I must." "And ruin your beautiful wedding gown?"
He was so close now she could feel the heat from his body warming her. Solid arms circled her, reaching around to work the delicate mother-of pearl buttons loose. The gown went slack. How was he doing that without even looking at his fingers?
"I'm London's foremost authority on unbuttoning," Hatherly said with a wicked gleam in his silver eyes, as if he'd heard her unspoken question.
Alice's cheeks flushed and her heart thumped an erratic cadence. Was his heart pounding as well?
Following an urge, she pressed her palm against his chest. A heartbeat, fast and strong, detectable even through layers of linen. She met his eyes.
Here was the moonlight. Here the answer, she thought dazedly.
And then his lips claimed hers . . . .
Nicolas, Lord Hatherly, never intended to marry-nor add to the "mad" Hatherly line-but now he must honor his father's debt to a social-climbing merchant or lose the family estate.
Anotoriously wild marquess, won by her father at a game of cards, is the very last thing Miss Alice Tombs wants. She's spent the last three seasons repelling suitors in spectacular fashion so she'd be at liberty to explore the world. She'll just have to drive this one away as well.
Until Nick proposes an utterly tempting arrangement: one summer together to prove the legitimacy of their union. then Alice is free to travel while Nick revels in the time he has left before the Hatherly "madness" takes hold.
It will be easy to walk away after a few months of make-believe wedded bliss-won't it? Alice and Nick are about to find out . . . .one sultry night at a time.
