Sophia had shown great courage coming to Max’s house by
herself, although he would wager her maid remained within
screaming distance. Not that he meant to make her scream.
Not tonight, at any rate, and never from fear. “Then I
advise you to let it happen. Is there nothing else that
worries you? Your concern is personal?”

She jerked a nod. “I will ensure that my portion is fair,
and I would request that I oversee where it’s invested,
but I know you can do it as well as I.”

“Yes, that’s true. But I have no objection in you
overseeing your own investments. Or in taking an interest
in my concerns.”

She brightened, her mouth relaxing. “That’s very
enlightened of you.”

“If half of what your father says about your expertise in
commerce is true, I’d be a fool to ignore such an asset.”
Business was the last thing on his mind, but he
understood her concerns. That demand sounded reasonable
to him. But not the other.

“Thank you.”

“No doubt we’ll arrange financial matters later, when we
meet to sign the contract. So do you wish to discuss the
personal aspect now?”

Swallowing, her throat tight, she nodded.

He had to go gently here, but she must know the truth. “I
have no intention of staying away from your bedroom.”

He hated the expression that returned now. Tight lips,
wide eyes, tiny creases at the corners of her mouth, and
her pulse didn’t so much beat as flutter, it was going so
fast. But he wouldn’t let her build barriers between
their bedrooms. On impulse he reached out and took her
hands.

They were cold. When she tugged, he tightened his hold.
Before it turned into an undignified tussle, she stopped
and let her hands rest passively in his. “Your name is
Sophia, is it not? Do you prefer that, or Sophie, or
something else?”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”

Then he would choose. “I like your full name. It suits
you. You have an innate elegance that I find pleasing.
Well, then, Sophia, we are to be close. You will be the
mother of my heirs. Of our heirs.” She had a considerable
fortune of her own, thanks to her father.

Blinking, she said, “Does it take long to make heirs?”

That naiveté shocked him and forced a laugh out of him.
He’d never considered intimate relations with anyone
other than ladies of the night or willing widows looking
for a dalliance. Certainly not inexperienced women.

Even females paid to act as innocent virgins for the
delectation of their clientele weren’t this jumpy. “It
takes as long as it takes. Some women fall pregnant the
first time, and with others, it takes years.”

He pulled gently on her hands. Silk rustled when she
moved closer. This was like taming a wild animal, drawing
it closer with kindness. No sudden moves. “The act can be
extremely pleasurable.”

“No!” She said it quickly, as if unconsidered. Too fast,
a visceral response.

He frowned. Did she know? Should he ask about the
incident with John Hayes?

If he did he might receive information he didn’t want to
know. Like she was no longer a virgin. Was she in fact
fond of the man her father had caught her with?

“Is there someone else you would rather marry?” he asked.
“I won’t wed a woman who is thinking of someone else in
the marriage bed. I am no man’s substitute.” That, at
least, he was sure of.

Vigorously, she shook her head. “No, no, truly.” At least
her hands had stopped trembling. “There is no one.”

He’d had enough. He wanted her close, badly. Her scent,
the feel of her hands in his, and her charming figure had
had its predictable effect on him. While his agile mind
tried to process the information, his body was rising to
the occasion. He couldn’t reason this need away.

Why had he never noticed her in this way before? Because
she had never spoken to him directly, or because she had
avoided attracting his attention? He had no idea, but he
certainly noticed her now.

When he drew her even closer, she came, so he could
release her hands and hold her waist instead. “Put your
hands on my shoulders.”
Eyes wide—they were brown—she did so. “You will not—”

Whatever she was about to say he muffled with his mouth.

Her lips were soft, with an underlying firmness that
pleased him. Although she’d been speaking, when he
touched her she clamped her lips together. He was in no
mind to force her.

Her body stiffened so much, he felt it under the
unforgiving bones of her stays, but he wanted to taste
her. Sweet, so sweet, that even a closed-mouth kiss
pushed his arousal up another notch.

On Monday, he would have her. Anything else was
unthinkable.