The Danger in Tempting an Earl by Sophie Barnes

her onto the dance floor, Lucien said, “I take it you hope to remarry?”
    His arm came about her waist as they took up their positions for the waltz. “No,” she said. “I merely hope to raise my daughter without tarnishing her name.”
    The music started and Lucien took the lead, his hand pressed firmly against her back as he guided her forward. “A husband would permit you to do so,” he said. “Especially if you make the right match for yourself. A husband will grant you security, Kate, not to mention friendship and . . . so much more.”
    “Good heavens,” Katherine gasped. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she couldn’t help but look away. “You’re as bad as your grandmother!”
    Lucien grinned. “She made a similar suggestion, did she?”
    Katherine was not about to repeat what Lady Roxberry had said to her about a woman having “needs,” so she just nodded and said, “She did.”
    “Well, if war has taught me anything, it is how fleeting life can be and how much more we might accomplish in the time we have if we’d only be more candid and less fearful of what others might think.”
    Returning her gaze to him, Katherine noticed that all traces of humor had vanished from his face, and as she stared back up at his soulful expression, she felt her heart ache for him and all that he had been through. “There is such a thing as propriety to consider, Lucien. One cannot always utter the first thought that comes to mind.”
    “One ought to be able to do so among family and close friends,” he countered.
    Uncertainty threatened, and Katherine felt herself frown. “I’ve always imagined that you and I were very straightforward with each other. Are you telling me that hasn’t always been the case?”
    Pulling her a little closer, he whispered in her ear, “You were an innocent when last we met, while I was a man with some experience. It goes without saying that there were certain subjects we could not discuss.”
    Oh dear God, she was going to burst into flames right there on the dance floor. “We ought not even discuss such things now,” she muttered. How she was capable of speech in the midst of such discussion was beyond her.
    “Oh, Kate,” he told her cheerily as he spun her about. “I only have your best interests at heart, and while you may be opposed to the thought of remarrying right now, I have every intention of getting you to change your mind. Indeed, I plan on seeing you properly settled now that I’ve returned, and I shall do so by helping you find a husband.”
    “A wha-a-a-t?” Surely he was joking.
    “You may not think you need one, but I know you, Kate—you’re a romantic at heart, always have been since you were a little girl. Don’t think I haven’t forgotten how fascinated you were by the story of Odysseus and Penelope. It wouldn’t do for you to live out the remainder of your days without a man at your side, or in your bed, if you prefer.” He winked.
    Katherine gasped, but before she could think of an appropriate response, Lucien said, “I know I ruined things by staying away as long as I did without sending word to you, but I still think that our history offers us a closeness that ought to allow me to be direct with you without you getting overly appalled, especially since you know how deeply I care for you.”
    “I’m very pleased to have you back,” she told him. “Even though you’re being terribly bold with the advice you’re giving.”
    There was something wolfish about him as he pressed her closer still. “I am simply all too aware of the pleasure that can be had between a man and a woman, and I would hate to see you miss out.”
    If she spoke now, she knew she would stammer like an imbecilic fool, so she held silent while the spicy scent of him washed over her, caressing her senses and drawing out an awareness of him that she’d never sensed before. It was making her feel rather dizzy.
    “So,” he went on in a very businesslike manner (clearly without