"I assure you there is nothing to forgive." No longer able to stop himself, he stepped closer to her. He wondered if she'd back away, and was pleased when she stood her ground. "I suppose I should apologize as well, but I'm afraid I can't. I'm not sorry. Indeed, my only regret is that you left so abruptly."
She shook her head. "Lord Surbrooke, I-"
"Daniel. Please, call me Daniel." He smiled, hoping to coax one from her in return. "After last evening surely we are on a first name basis. At least I hope so… Lady Wingate?"
When, in spite of the exaggerated questioning tone in which he uttered her name, she didn't issue the invitation he hoped, he added, "At least I hope so… my dear Lady Wingate?"
Encouraged by the slight twitch of her lips, he continued, "My extremely lovely, very dear Lady Wingate?"
The barest whiff of amusement entered her eyes. "How long you do intend to continue in this vein?"
"For as long as it takes… my extremely lovely, very dear, and greatly talented Lady Wingate."
She cocked a brow. "Greatly talented? Clearly you've never heard me sing."
"No." He clutched his hands to his chest in a dramatic pose. "But I'm certain the sound rivals that of angels' voices."
"Only if angels' voices sound like out-of-tune squeaking carriage wheels."
He made a tsking sound. "I'm afraid I cannot allow you to disparage my friend-the extremely lovely, very dear, greatly talented, and highly amusing Lady Wingate."
"At this rate, by the end of the day I'll bear more titles than the entire royal family combined."
"I'm certain that's correct, my extremely lovely, very dear, greatly talented, highly amusing, and extraordinarily intelligent Lady Wingate."
She shot him a half-exasperated, half-amused look. "It has clearly escaped your notice, my lord, that I am endeavoring to maintain a bit of propriety between us."
"Daniel. And no, it hasn't escaped my notice." He grinned and waggled his brows. "But clearly it has escaped your notice that I'd like to you stop."
"I believe even a blind man could see that. Yet I'm also endeavoring to politely extricate myself from an embarrassing situation. In a way that will allow us to forget our lapse in judgment last night and continue to enjoy the easy camaraderie we established at Matthew's house party."
"Is that truly what you think last night was? A lapse in judgment?"
"Yes. And one I've no intention of repeating." The words weren't said unkindly. Indeed, he could easily read the apology in her eyes, the plea for understanding.
The problem was, he didn't understand. Nor did he want an apology.
"Can you tell me why?" he asked, his gaze searching hers. "It was clear you enjoyed our kiss as much as I did."
Crimson rushed into her cheeks, and he marveled that a woman over thirty, one who'd been married, could still blush. "That makes no difference."
"I disagree. There is an attraction between us. One I've felt for… quite some time."
Surprise, and something else, flickered in her eyes, but it was gone before he could identify it. "You have?"
Since the moment I first saw you. Ten years go. "Yes. And it's something I'd like to explore further. Unless… are you saying I'm incorrect? That the attraction is all one-sided?"
Her blush deepened. "Any woman with a heartbeat would think you very handsome-"
"I don't care about what any woman would think. I only care about what you think."
"Surely my opinion regarding your attractiveness isn't important, my lord."
"Daniel. And actually your opinion is very important to me." His lips twitched. "Although I really just want you to agree with me."
She gave a surprised laugh, which she attempted to cover with a cough, and he noted that she appeared a bit more relaxed. A whiff of mischief danced in her eyes. "You wish for me to agree that you're attractive? Surely you realize how conceited that makes you sound."
"No. I'm hoping you'll agree that there's an attraction between us. And that you'd like to explore that attraction as much as I would."
She immediately sobered. Pressing her lips together, she averted her gaze. Then drew a breath and faced him again. "I'm very flattered, but-"
Reaching out, he gently pressed his fingers to her lips. "Why don't we leave it for now at 'I'm very flattered?'" He flashed a smile, one he prayed didn't looked as forced as it felt, then lowered his hand. "I find that statements that follow the word 'but' are generally not very encouraging."
"But that is just the point. Although my actions of last evening may understandably indicate otherwise, I do not wish to encourage you."
"Me in particular? Or gentlemen in general?"
"Gentlemen in general. But especially not you."
He winced. "Ouch. That loud crash you just heard was my manly ego smashing to bits."
She reached out and briefly laid her hand against his upper arm. If he'd been capable of levity, he would have laughed at the fissure of heat that raced through him at the innocent gesture. "You misunderstand me. I say especially not you because… I like you. I don't want to hurt you."
He quirked a brow. "Do you intend to cosh me with an iron skillet? Or perhaps a fire poker? Heavy rock? Shove me down the stairs?"
Her lips twitched. "Of course not."
"Then I fail to see how you could possibly hurt me."
She turned to look at the painting above the mantel, and he followed her gaze. Edward smiled from the canvas, his handsome face frozen in time. A life-sized ghost captured in oil paint.
Daniel pulled his gaze away from the painting to look at her. "I see. You've told me about your devotion to Edward, your wish to never remarry, and I understand." But though he claimed to understand and didn't begrudge Carolyn her feelings, he simply couldn't comprehend that profound depth of love. The sort that owned one's entire heart and soul. "You're afraid that because your heart isn't free, you'll hurt my tender emotions."
She moved to face him, then nodded. "At the risk of sounding horribly full of myself, yes. I've no desire to hurt either of us."
"At the risk of sounding horribly full of myself, I do not allow my tender emotions to enter into any of my liaisons." He gave her a quick grin. "Indeed, history has shown that I'm quite lacking in tender emotions, so you need not worry. And like you, I've no desire to marry."
She raised her brows. "What of your title?"
He shrugged. "I suppose I'll have to get leg-shackled someday, but I've no intention of considering it until I'm in my dotage. If I happen to cock up my toes before the deed is done, I have two younger brothers."
Another layer of crimson washed over her cheeks, and he had to fist his hands to keep from cupping her face between his palms and kissing her until neither of them could catch their breath. "You're suggesting we have an affair."
Bloody hell, yes. Starting immediately, if not sooner. "I'm suggesting we see where last night's kiss leads us," he replied cautiously, not wanting to see her sprint from the room in panic, "although I admit I have a very good idea where that will be."
"Which is an affair."
"Yes."
The flash of heat in her eyes told him she was tempted. But then her gaze flicked to the portrait and she shook her head. "I've never… I cannot." Another shake of her head. "I'm sorry."
Reaching out, he lightly clasped her hands. "I know how much you loved him. Still love him. He was, in every way, a man to be admired. Do you not think he'd want you to live?"
"Yes, but…" Her words trailed off and he could easily see how torn she was.
"I don't require your heart. In truth, I've absolutely no wish for it."
Confusion clouded her eyes. "Then what do you want?"