An Invitation to Pleasure Read Online Free Page B

Fergus.’
    He could have roared with vexation. Did she not know what was good for her? More to the point, what was good for him. He owed it to his conscience to marry her. He was set on it. If he could just persuade her to stay, she would see that. Fergus yanked his temper back onto its leash, and changed tack. ‘I can see I’ve been presumptive.’
    Susanna’s eyes narrowed. Had she noticed he spoke through gritted teeth? Certainly, she was no fool. Fergus took her hands in his. ‘It seems a shame for you to come all this way and miss out on the festivities. From what you’ve said, Christmas in London with your parents would be a driech affair.’
    ‘They are mourning Jason as if he was their son. I think Mama believes he would not have contracted the fever which killed him if I had been a better wife.’
    ‘I would not expect you to play the weeping widow, if you chose to remain here.’
    ‘But that is impossible.’
    What was impossible was her leaving, and it had nothing to do with the fact that his blood stirred at her proximity. He stroked her palms with his thumbs. Soft skin she had. His hands engulfed hers. In for a penny, Fergus thought ruthlessly. ‘You could stay,’ he said. He pulled her closer. Her figure was much fuller than he remembered. Decidedly curvier. He liked the way her hair tumbled like a live thing over her shoulders. He liked the way she smelled, of cold and salt from the journey, and flowers and lemon. He hadn’t really thought about enjoying the wooing, but wooing Susanna would be no hardship at all. ‘What if we pretended,’ he said. ‘Made the best of it?’
    She made no effort to pull free from him, so Fergus pressed on. ‘What harm is there in saying that we are betrothed, until Hogmanay? That’s the night before the new year, when the formal ceremony takes place. All you have to do is refuse me then, make a public break. You’ll have had a holiday from London, I’ll have saved face.’ That was three weeks away. A lot could happen in three weeks. Fergus slid his arm around her waist. ‘Say you’ll stay, Susanna. It will be…entertaining.’
    ‘Entertaining.’
    She said the word as if she did not understand its meaning. Fergus pressed home his advantage. It was underhand, but he was desperate.
    ‘You understand, I have no wish for a husband.’
    ‘You mean you’ll stay?’
    ‘Only until this Hogmanay ceremony. A public falling out, did you say?’
    Or else she would fall in with his plans. Fergus nodded, but was careful to make no promises. ‘After all, you’ll not likely get the chance again to see the beauty of the Highlands in winter.’
    ‘It is very lovely here.’
    ‘And I’ll do my very best to make your visit unforgettable.’
    Susanna laughed. ‘Oh, why not? I did not heed you three years ago, Fergus, but I have learned my lesson. I’ll stay.’
    And she looked so adorable, and Fergus was so elated at having persuaded her that he pulled her into his arms. ‘Now,’ he said, ‘do you think I can finally have that kiss I’ve waited three years for?’
    Soft, his mouth was, with the scrape of his stubble a tantalising, arousing contrast. He smelled nice. Soap and wool and leather. This close, she could see the gold rim around his iris, the faint trace of a scar along his hairline, a bump in his nose where it may have been broken.
    Warmth enveloped her as Fergus wrapped his arms around her. Susanna felt the thump of his heart. He kissed her again, softly still. And again, lingering a little, licking into the corner of her mouth, so that she opened to him, and he sighed and kissed her again. She grasped his shoulders to stand on tiptoe to kiss him back. Her eyes fluttered closed. Heat and soft skin and scraping bristle and the sweetly arousing lick of his tongue on her lower lip. It was delightful.
    Fergus’s hands slid down her arms, only to rest on her waist. He smiled, a slow curl of his lips which took its time forming. ‘I have to tell you, lass,