With a sigh of exasperation, Aurora stepped back from the window. She could scarcely believe she was actually considering going for a midnight drive in the dark with Nicholas Sabine. And yet she couldn't deny the forbidden appeal of it. What in heaven's name was happening to her? Before meeting Nicholas she'd always been sedate and proper, a model of decorum. But now she was behaving like a wanton.
And what is so wrong about that? a voice in her head prodded. You have been sensible and proper all your life. You can be a little risque for once.
Feeling very much like the Frenchwoman in the journal who had been seduced into sin by her captivating prince, Aurora dressed quickly and drew on a hooded cloak. The house was dark and silent as she crept downstairs and let herself out of the servants' entrance.
Nicholas was waiting for her outside as he'd promised. When he saw her, his smile turned quite brilliant. Aurora drew a sharp breath, suddenly filled with the dizzying pleasure of being near him.
A curricle was waiting at the end of the short drive, and just as he'd claimed, a youth held the pair of horses. Nicholas handed her up into the seat and climbed up after her.
"Wait here, if you please," he said to the boy. "We shall return shortly." With a flick of the reins, he sent the team off at a brisk trot.
Aurora held on to the seat rail while sending him an incredulous look, scarcely believing his audacity.
"I should have known better than to trust you," she said darkly when they were out of earshot. "You led me to believe your tiger would accompany us."
"Only because you would not have come with me otherwise."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Not far. Look around you, siren. Is this not better than being captive in your chaste bedchamber?"
It was a magnificent night, Aurora thought unwillingly. The cool June breeze on her face was exhilarating, the moonlight stirring as it bathed the silent streets. Yet her vexation at Nicholas prevented her full enjoyment. "You cannot make me believe you were thinking only of me when you lured me out here."
"Perhaps I wasn't, but can you fault me for wanting to be alone with a beautiful woman on a moonlit night?"
"Then you don't deny you are bent on seduction."
"There are no laws against seducing my own wife."
She raised her eyes to the sky. "Haven't you anything better to do than drive me to distraction?"
"I can think of nothing better, except for making love to you."
"Nicholas!"
"Actually," he added casually before she could finish, "Clune did invite me to join his Hellfire colleagues on a tour of the demimonde this evening, but I declined."
Aurora fell silent, disturbed by the image of Nicholas dallying with courtesans in an elegant London brothel. The thought of him making love to any other woman was distinctly troubling – which was absurd, since she had told him he was free to find his pleasures elsewhere.
She glanced up at him, at his strong profile that was chiseled by moonlight. He would have absolutely no trouble finding feminine companionship. He was devastatingly attractive, more sensual and exciting than any man she had ever known. He was also a rake and adventurer, accustomed to living dangerously and breaking hearts. She should know better than to make herself vulnerable this way, being alone with him.
"Why did you decline?" she murmured, not really wanting to hear the answer.
"Because the only woman I wanted was my wife."
She wouldn't dignify his provocative remark with an answer.
"What?" he teased softly when she remained mute. "No sharp rejoinder?"
She gave him a stern look. "I cannot credit that you would prefer me to an accomplished Cyprian."
"Ah, but I do, siren."
"Merely because, like Clune, you only want what you cannot have."
"That isn't why I want you so badly."
"Then why?" Aurora asked, curious in spite of herself.
"I wish I knew," Nicholas replied with surprising seriousness. "I've never been this attracted to any other woman before."
"What you are feeling is simple male…"
Nicholas supplied the word she was searching for. "Lust?" His mouth quirked wryly. "It is hardly simple, sweetheart. And it is far more than mere lust. It's more like a fierce craving."
"Well, you will just have to control it."
"I am trying my utmost, but I cannot control my imagination. I frequently have fantasies of you naked in my arms, did you know that?"
"Nicholas!"
"Please," he chided, "remember that my name is Brandon."
"If you don't behave," she declared in a fierce undertone, "I will demand that you turn this carriage around and take me home."
His amused expression sobered slightly. "Believe it or not, I do intend to behave this evening. I give you my word, my motives are completely altruistic for once. I only want you to have a moment of freedom."
She didn't know if she could trust him, but when he turned his head to look at her, his gaze was entirely serious. "Raven is worried for you. She thinks you're lonely and in need of company."
"Raven is mistaken. And even if I were in need of company, I would hardly choose you – a bold rogue who's determined to incite a scandal."
"I should think that as a duke's daughter you would find boldness appealing after being accustomed to servility all your life. Surely you don't want me fawning over you and treating you like fragile crystal?"
"I would like you to respect my wishes," she said coolly, "instead of trying to ride roughshod over me. You said I saved your life. For that I think I might be entitled to some measure of consideration."
"I am considering you, love. I'm thinking of your welfare. Admit it, you feel more alive when you're sparring with me, matching wits. My very presence stirs your blood."
"I do not want my blood stirred, Nicholas."
"Come now, can you honestly claim you don't enjoy being with me? Or that you would rather be safe in bed than here on a night like tonight?"
It was indeed magical. Aurora tilted her face up to the moon, soothed by its serene spell.
As if by mute agreement, they remained silent for a time, the only sound the clop-rattle of hooves and wheels on cobblestone. When they came to the entrance to Hyde Park, Nicholas turned off the street onto the gravel carriage path.
"I suppose you have a purpose for bringing me here?" Aurora said skeptically.
"You'll see," he replied.
They drove a short distance until the Serpentine came into view. Aurora caught her breath at the stunning beauty of the lake, which resembled a brilliant mirror.
Wordlessly Nicholas pulled off the path onto the lawn and negotiated past a grove of chestnut trees. With a tug on the reins, he drew the curricle to a halt.
Aurora sat speechless for a long moment. "I have never seen the park so peaceful and lovely," she said finally.
"You have never seen a lot of things. Would you care to sit by the water?"
When she nodded, he climbed down and tied the reins to a tree branch, then went around the rig and reached up to grasp her waist. As he lifted her down, Aurora felt his touch like a hot brand, while Nicholas suddenly froze, as if burned by the same scorching heat radiating through her.
"You aren't wearing a corset," he murmured, his voice suddenly husky.
"I had no time to put one on," she replied, flushing.
"I'm going to pretend I never discovered that."
Retrieving a blanket from the boot, he took her by the hand and drew her down past a copse of willows to the water's edge. He spread the blanket on the grassy bank, and when Aurora was seated, settled beside her.