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When she shook her head, he frowned "You said yes once before"

"That was before I knew about the agency"

His tone deepened, becaain? Wouldn’t you like to have children? Build a family? Surely you don’t wish to be alone forever"

Startled, she stared at hiing that washed over her so unexpectedly scared her to death

"You want an heir" She looked away to hide her reaction

"I want you The heir and other progeny would be added delights"

Her eyes flew to ain Flustered by his nearness and his determination, Elizabeth turned toward the path in the cliffs

"Do we have an agree behind

"Yes," she threw over her shoulder, her voice carried by the wind "A fortnight, then you are out ofand she ran from it

Elizabeth reached the top of the cliff and fell to her knees Marriage The word choked her throat andfor air like a swi under water Marcus’s as a force to be reckoned with What the devil was she to do now that he’d set hisher head, she looked toward the livery with aching longing It would be such a relief to go, to leave the turmoil behind

But she discarded the idea Marcus would co as she still wanted him And no matter how hard she tried, she was unable to hide the depth and breadth of her attraction

Therefore, the only way to be rid of his attentions was to accept the bargain he offered Marcus would have to end his pursuit of his own accord There was no other way the obstinate man would quit

Wearily resolved, Elizabeth stood and uesthouse She would have to htest inti his advantage with his customary ruthlessness She would have to be relaxed and indifferent It was the only solution

Satisfied she had a reasonable plan of action, she quickened her pace

Meanwhile, Marcus lingered on the beach and wondered at his sanity God help him, he wanted her still Wanted her more than before He’d once hoped to satisfy his need and finally be done with her Now he prayed his aching need would never end, the pleasure was too great to forfeit

If only he’d known the trap that awaited him in her arms But there had been no way to know With all his experience, he still could never have irowing need he had to tame her and pin her beneath hi up a rock from the pile Elizabeth left behind, he tossed it into the water He’d created quite a challenge for himself Her one vulnerability had always been their desire for each other Naked and sated, Elizabeth was soft and open to discussion Noas denied seduction to achieve his ends He would have to woo her like a gentleed even the first time

But should he succeed, he would thwart Eldridge’s plan to replace him and prove to one and all that Elizabeth was his There would be no doubt

Marriage He shuddered It had finally happened The woman had driven hiher with his hands on her shoulders "It would not be a surprise if you knew"

"I’m not fond of surprises," Elizabeth complained

"Well, you will have to become accustomed, sweet, because I ahed, his heart as light as the afternoon breeze "Ah, love Much as you wish it weren’t so, you adore me"

Her lushthe underside of the blindfold that blocked her vision "Your conceit knows no bounds"

She shrieked as he hefted her into the air, and then sank to his knees He set her down on the blanket he’d spread earlier and reainst the sudden bright light

With the help of the duke’s staff, he’d arranged a picnic, selecting a field of wild grass just over the rise from the main manor She’d been unnaturally tense since their talk on the beach thatunexpected arranted if he wished to make headway

"This is lovely," she exclaimed, her eyes wide and filled with pleasure Sans the assistance of an abigail and unwilling to let him help her dress, Elizabeth was forced to attire herself in a startlingly siown With her hair uncoiffed and tied back froular beauty of her features

Basking in the glow of her surprise, Marcus silently agreed with her sentily shielded by the wide bri, he reached into the basket and withdrew a bottle of wine He filled a glass and handed it to her, the touch of her fingers against his sending a frisson of awareness up his spine

"I’m pleased you approve," he murmured "It’s only aze lifted to hers "I’m a bit nervous, truth be told"

"You?" She arched a brow

"Yes, love" Marcus lay on his back and stared up at the su to think I may be refused I was more confident the first tihed, a soft joyful sound that brought a smile to his face "You shall find another, farwoman orship your remarkable handsomeness and charm, and be far more biddable"

"I would never marry a woman such as you describe I much prefer passionate, uneven-tempered seductresses like yourself"

"I aht

"You certainly were the other evening The way you arched your brow and bit your lip before fuckingas seductive And the way you look when you--"

"Tell"How are Paul and Robert?"

He glanced sidelong at her, relishing the view of her against the natural backdrop, freed frorass around the the air with the scent of warm earth and salty sea "They are well They inquire about you, as does my mother"

"Do they? I am surprised, but pleased they don’t resent me overmuch They should venture out ht since they arrived, and yet they’ve not attended one social function"

"Robert still has no interest whatsoever in social pursuits Paul prefers his club He spends owns every Season, and refuses to be seen until they are finished" His grin was fond "Heaven forbid that she be seen in a gown from last year"

She se of you?"

"So I’ve been told"

"You don’t think so?"