Lord Valorous(37)
You didn't think, you just acted because you love him.
Poppy felt panicky. Love? No, no, no, she was just emotional, surely? And yet she knew her thoughts for the truth. She had given this man her innocence without a second thought, and that alone told her the startling truth of her feelings for him. He had kissed her, touched her, and she had lost a lifetime of morals and beliefs, and let him do as he wished, because her heart had ruled her head.
"I like you, and would like to offer you recompense, Miss March."
He liked her? He was addressing her formally after what they had just done, and Poppy knew this was to create distance between them.
"Recompense, Lord Hatherton?"
He nodded, shot her a look, then away. If the small twinges and aches were not making themselves known in her body then she could almost believe it was a dream, as his face was cold, his eyes emotionless.
"I wish to buy you a house, and give you money to live, Poppy. I wish to visit-"
With the accuracy of a knife, realization sliced through her. "You want to set me up as your mistress?" She had spoken the words softly, and she saw that he was relieved by that. Saw that he believed she would accept his words and accept him as her master. The mighty lord had spoken, and she would obey.
"Yes, that is what I wish for, and I know this will be beneficial-"
Suddenly she felt the wonderful heat of anger replace the numbing cold that had gripped her. Moving to the edge of the seat, she was pleased that she had yet to put on her gloves, as this allowed her palm to connect with his check with alarming accuracy. The noise bounced off the walls of the carriage.
"How dare you!"
Shock etched his handsome face.
"I would never...," Poppy spluttered. "You, sir, are no gentleman, and... and you can go to hell!"
Before he could react, she had wrenched open the carriage door and jumped. She fell, of course, and rolled, her skirts tangling around her legs. But other than a few bruises and jarring her already sore fingers, Poppy felt no substantial injuries. Regaining her feet, she looked at the carriage that was slowing. Lord Hatherton now stood in the doorway.
"Poppy!"
Her name was roared, but she did not wait to hear what followed; instead she ran as if the devil himself were chasing her.
Jacob ran after her, but she seemed to have disappeared. She knew the streets better than him, and eventually he gave up.
"Drive to Miss March's house, please, Hamley."
He sat in the seat opposite the one he had, only a short while ago, made love to Poppy on.
"Christ, what was I thinking?" Jacob put his head in his hands. He'd been unable to control himself. He'd wanted Poppy, and so he'd taken her. Never had he loathed himself more. And her response to his offer had told him she'd been insulted, and very possibly hurt.
But had she expected more from him? Surely not. She could not possibly believe he had more to give?
When the carriage stopped, he climbed out in time to see her enter the house. He did not follow but looked up to where Poppy's room was. Minutes later he saw the small flicker of light and felt a flood of relief that at least she was unhurt, and home safely.
"Home now, Hamley."
He brooded as the carriage took him through London. Honesty forced him to admit he'd never felt like he did about Poppy with any other woman. She made him feel alive. He'd lost himself in her body, and knew with a certainty he would do so again and again if she were his mistress. In fact, he wondered if he would ever have tired of her. She had wanted him too; he knew in that at least he was correct. He had not forced her, and she had responded to his every touch and kiss.
Lord, she'd set him on fire.
The breath he expelled was long and loud.
"God, what a mess."
The stark reality was he'd taken her innocence, and then insulted her, in her eyes, by offering to keep her as his mistress, and had done so in a cold, calculating manner. God, he'd even forced her to jump from his carriage. He hoped she had not suffered another injury. The thought made his stomach churn.
Perhaps if he asked her again in a few days to be his mistress? Maybe then she would be more receptive. It wasn't until he was lying in his bed, staring into the dark, that he had the answer to that question. Poppy March had pride, and would never yield to him. She had done so tonight because she had wanted to, but she would never give her body to a man for money.
Closing his eyes, Jacob wondered what the hell he was to do now.
CHAPTER TEN
Nick, Leo, and Jacob arrived at Lord Revel's house the next morning. Behind them in a carriage was Lady Carver, a longtime friend of Lady Revel, and Dr. Breem, her physician.