The Danger in Tempting an Earl by Sophie Barnes Page B

she meant to say something, but instead of words came a rush of air. Her eyes glistened, and she looked more vulnerable than she’d done at the age of six when she’d sprained her ankle after falling from her horse. Her bottom lip had quivered then, Lucien recalled, but she hadn’t shed a tear, and he knew that she wouldn’t do so now either, no matter how difficult this conversation might be for her. He decided to cheer her up a bit by saying, “Besides, most gentlemen prefer brunettes anyway.”
    It took a moment, but then she smiled. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”
    “Well, whatever you’ve heard is all wrong. Blondes can be had by the dozen in England, whereas brunettes and redheads . . . well, don’t even get me started on those.”
    To his delight, she finally laughed and slapped him playfully on the arm. “You’re absolutely incorrigible.”
    “My lady, I never said that I wasn’t.” Winking at her, he resumed walking, only too well aware of how desperately he longed to haul her against him so he could kiss away the pain from behind her lovely green eyes. If this was Crossby’s doing, Lucien had a good mind to march into hell and drag the man out by his hair so he could challenge him. But, for the meantime, he somehow managed to keep his rising anger at bay and said, “By the way, I do believe Mr. Goodard might be perfect for you.”
    The look of horror on Katherine’s face was absolutely charming. Lucien smiled to himself, for he had known that Katherine would balk at the idea.
    “You cannot be serious,” she said.
    “He’s a very amicable gentleman once you get to know him.”
    “Well, in that case, I suggest you pair him off with Lady Julie instead—she’s also very amicable.” The sweet smile she gave him was not to be ignored, for it was laced not only with irony but also with . . . dare he hope . . . a touch of exasperation?
    “I suppose I could, but where would that leave me?”
    She eyed him assessingly. “Since you’re so eager for us to speak our minds, I may as well tell you that it will never work. She’s entirely wrong for you.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Quite.”
    “Well, if not her, then who? Who would you suggest I marry?”
    “Well, I . . . ,” she started, but her words trailed off into thin air.
    “Yes?”
    “As your friend, I would recommend that you take a moment to consider your options, since marriage is, after all, for life. You wouldn’t want to leap too hastily into something you cannot get out of again.” Her words, as wise as they were, were tight and concise, as if she’d shut herself off emotionally as she’d said them. “Besides, you did promise to postpone a courtship in favor of spending more time with me.”
    Lucien nodded. “You’re right, although considering my situation, I won’t be able to do so indefinitely. If anything were to happen to me, the Roxberry title would go to my second cousin, George.”
    Katherine scrunched her nose. “The ginger-haired fellow who thinks himself superior to everyone and once threw your cat down the stairs?”
    “Precisely.”
    “Well, we can’t allow that to happen.”
    “So you see my dilemma? The sooner I marry and produce an heir, the sooner I’ll stop Mama and Grandmamma from throwing themselves into the Thames—which is precisely what they’ll do if George inherits.”
    “Right. Well, in that case, there’s really nothing for it, I suppose. You must get yourself married.” She looked at him conspiratorially. “Let’s contemplate it this coming week, shall we?”
    “When I take you fishing?”
    She laughed—a sound he’d dearly missed. “Or after our race, which I have every intention of winning.”
    A bright burst of color exploded in the air. Looking ahead, Katherine nodded politely at her host, the Duke of Kingsborough, who had turned toward them with a smile just as the next firework rose in the sky. It was accompanied by a loud bang coming directly from Katherine’s