Page 14 of The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke

That gave him pause.

But not for long. He was not a man to dwell upon his obstacles, only their overcoming.

“Have you ever restrained a man before?” he asked, dubiously eyeing her slight figure.

“Yes. Those brothers I just mentioned.”

“Recently?”

“Don’t be silly. They are all grown men, even if they don’t always act it.” Her gaze met his. He glimpsed a spirit quite ruthless indeed beneath her ladylike appearance. “Your famly is still in England?” she asked unexpectedly.

He thought of the journal entry he had just read. She had wanted a family of her own, it said. “Yes.”

She waited. “Well, is there anyone I should contact about your condition?”

“I have come closer to death’s door than a dozen men,” he said dryly. “The incident today does not merit alarm.”

“Your family might not agree.”

“I have a brother and sister in Berkshire,” he offered with a thin smile.

She waited again, aware he had deliberately evaded a complete answer. What little gossip she knew of him was that he had been estranged some years ago from his father, the Duke of Scarfield, who had mistakenly believed Adrian to be the result of his young wife’s adulterous love affair. Now, apparently, the duke had admitted he misjudged his late wife and had asked his son to come home.

Adrian’s return after an adventurous stint as an officer for the East India Company and other private irregular armies had been assumed by Society to be a sign of reconciliation.

His manner hinted otherwise.

“I think I should leave you to rest, my lord.”

“No.” His voice was imperious, but his eyes darkened as if to reveal a vulnerability.

She shook her head in bemusement. “You did get the sense knocked out of you today.”

He stared at her.

He had never before wanted to undress a woman more than he wanted to undress Emma Boscastle. Strip her naked from her graceful white neck to small feet. Give her a genuine reason to bemoan his lack of manners.

“If you think I’m lying abed for two days, then you have another thing coming,” he added.

“Gentlemen seldom suffer their indispositions with good humor.”

“Do I have to suffer alone?” he asked in a low, sensual voice.

“Would you like Devon and Drake to sleep beside you?” She stared back at him with a straight face. “I’m sure it could be arranged if you don’t wish to be alone.”

His mouth curled into a beguiling grin. “I had another arrangement in mind. Kiss me before you go.”

“For heaven’s sake!”

“You’re tempted. I can tell.”

She lowered her face to his. “And you’re delirious. At least that is the excuse I am using for your behavior.”

He regardly her calmly. “I’m a very accepting man, Emma.”

She drew her breath at his astounding confidence. “Then accept this—you are staying in bed. Alone.”

“A shame.”