Page 81 of The Pirate's Clever Ruse
She nodded understanding. “So now you are free to return to your home. I am happy for you, sir. But will you stay here long enough to finish your book?”
Grey tugged her earbobs to shut out her foolishness, then kissed her hair because he could. “Let me speak this part first, and then your busy mind can start planning.”
Worry still shadowed those glorious topaz eyes. Grey traced a finger down her fair cheek, savoring the ability to touch her. He’d had so little human contact. . . “I cannot believe I thought you a boy for so long.” He covered her lush lips with his finger before she could protest. “I want to court you, Miss Leonard, if I may?”
Long velvet lashes blinked. She stared at him so hard, Grey thought he might swoon from the intensity—and the uncertainty.
“You have neglected an estate and your duty in Parliament and now have no excuse to do so again. I am not entirely certain you aren’t running on some potent mixture of freedom and have thought this through.” She appeared to view him with genuine confusion.
Grey snorted. “I have done nothing else but think ever since I realized you weren’t male. A wife who can match me in wits? I have never met such a creature until you came along. You don’t twitter at me! And I’m done thinking and prepared to do.”
To prove his point, he pulled her into his embrace, then kissed her to show her other considerations he most likely shouldn’t mention. She fit perfectly into his arms, and not only didn’t resist when he held her closer, but seemed to relish his kisses. He’d never really known love, but if this peculiar sensation in the vicinity of his chest was love, it was the breath of life, and he required more.
His brilliant Ellie learned as quickly as he’d assumed, and Grey’s blood boiled nicely before he found the strength to set her down. He hoped those were stars in her eyes when she gazed upon him, but he hadn’t chosen a silly gudgeon. His Ellie kept her wits.
“If courting involves kissing, yes, please. But do not fool yourself into believing that just because I am convenient, I can be the sort to grace society or act as lady of the manor. I am bookish, not social, and barely know—or care—the difference between one fork or another. I was my mother’s despair.” Not stars, but pragmatism filled her beautiful eyes.
And he loved that.
Laughing, Grey hugged her again, lifting her from the ground and spinning her around in a giddy circle. “Stop trying to protect me from myself! You know me, as no one else does. Do you think I give one good shilling about forks and politicking? Do you think I would have avoided society and parliament all these years if I did? Think, my lovely goosecap!”
When he set her down again, she stared at him, astounded. “I might know you, as you say, but you can still surprise me. I. . .” She blinked, unable to speak.
He’d rendered his articulate assistant speechless. Grey crowed in triumph at, for once, having the upper hand. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he led her into the warmth of the inn. “That is what courting is about, my dear—knowing each other’s hearts as well as minds.”
She nodded and snuggled just a little closer. “You are telling me that you do what you want to do, regardless of what anyone thinks, aren’t you? And until now, what you’ve wanted was to protect your associates. And now. . .”
“I’ll protect you by bringing you closer, because that’s what I want more than money or power. My estate and duty and what society thinks aren’t as important as you are,” he said in satisfaction, leading her back into the pub, with his coat still on her shoulders and his arm around her, declaring his suit for all to see. In perhaps the first joy he’d ever experienced, he shouted, “Another round for all, Rafe, my friend! Here’s to a successful future!”
The piano began a merry song, mugs were raised, fists pounded tables, and voices rang out, almost in time to the music: The glossy sparkle on the board, The wine is ruby bright, The reign of pleasure is restor’d, Of ease and fond delight. . .
Pleasure. Grey hadn’t had enough of that. He’d see to his duties, as needed, but Ellie would teach him pleasure.
