Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed by Jo Beverley

one be?”
    Oh no, My Lord, thought Jane. Having failed with your blandishments, do not think you can buy my affections.
    “I do not need anything, thank you, Lord Wraybourne. I think we should join the others, or they will look for us.” Her attempt to rise was thwarted by the fact that he had a gentle but firm hold on her hand.
    “Nonsense. Sophie is an excellent archer and will be delighted to steal the attention all afternoon, if needs be. I wish you were a little more comfortable in my presence,” he added plaintively.
    She met his eyes and was touched, despite herself, by the honest note in his voice. Perhaps he was only behaving as he thought proper. Perhaps his attentions were honest.
    “So do I,” she admitted, feeling some explanation was called for. “I am unaccustomed to the company of men, especially ones I am to marry. All this is so different for me. I feel . . . unsure. I am afraid of behaving incorrectly.”
    He pressed her fingers reassuringly. “Your behavior is impeccable, Jane. As for men, you have nothing to fear. Being betrothed gives you a certain immunity.”
    “Except from you,” she said abruptly.
    “But what can you possibly imagine I would do?” he asked in surprise and added, “Be assured that I will never do anything to hurt you. If I distress you in any way, you have merely to say.”
    She turned away from his distracting blue eyes. Was this a declaration of warmer feelings or a practical admission that he could not afford to offend her? Whichever, he was making it impossible for her to be rational. She wished she could have a little time to sort out her confusion in peace.
    “What if I were to request that you stay away from me?” she asked, turning to catch his expression. He looked merely thoughtful.
    “Stenby Castle is a huge barracks of a place,” he remarked. “I suppose it would be possible for us both to live there without meeting. In fact, I have two great-aunts in the north wing at the moment and haven’t seen them in an age. But the town house is a trifle small for separate establishments.”
    Her eyes flashed with annoyance. “You are being absurd to tease me, Sir!”
    Suddenly serious, he managed to possess her other hand and forced her to face him directly. “I am trying to understand you, Jane. Do you wish to draw back from our betrothal?”
    “No!” she exclaimed.
    That was not what she intended at all. Tears formed in her eyes, and he quickly released her and proffered a linen handkerchief.
    “I did not mean to disturb you so, Jane,” he said quietly. “When you are recovered we will go on our way without me teasing you any more.”
    “You disturb me all the time,” she said with a sniff. “If you did not do so, we would get along a great deal better.”
    If she had looked she would have seen a triumphant gleam in his eye, but his tone was serious. “I will have to study the things I do that disturb you so.” He retrieved his handkerchief and drew her to her feet. “Now when I hold your hand like this. Does that disturb you?”
    “No-o,” she said hesitantly and distrustfully.
    “But if I were to kiss it . . . ,” he said with a wicked smile, suiting action to words.
    “Yes!” she declared, attempting to snatch her hand away.
    He placed it instead in the crook of his arm. “Surely you do not find this excessively disturbing?” he inquired with concern.
    “No,” she said, unwillingly beginning to enjoy the game he was playing. She glanced up at him in a way which was instinctively flirtatious.
    His eyes gleamed with appreciation, and he placed a chaste kiss upon her cheek. “Am I permitted that?” he asked.
    She turned her head to answer and found his lips ready to claim hers. It was the gentlest of kisses, although he lingered a little. She pulled away as an aching shudder stirred within her.
    “Oh no, please!” she gasped.
    “Pity,” he said amiably as they resumed their stroll. “I found it very pleasant. However, I promise not