The Marriage Lesson Read Online Free Page A

“Since I neither want nor need your protection.”
    “Nonetheless, at the moment, thanks to your brother and my mother, that is my responsibility and I will not shirk it.” He straightened and reached the decanter one step before her, removing it before she could grab it. “And also, at the moment, I’d say that’s enough brandy for one night.”
“I don’t see why. It’s really quite tasty.” She stared at her empty glass. “Isn’t it curious the way the more I drink, the less drunk you appear?”
    “It often works that way.” He took the glass from her hand and put it on the desk. “You, my dear lady, are foxed.”
    She lifted her chin and glared at him with all the indignation she could muster. “I most certainly am not. If anything, I’m merely a bit”—she giggled—“merry.”
    “So I see. Well, merry or not”—he grasped her shoulders and turned her to face the door—“it’s past time you retired for the night.”
    He gave her a gentle push and she started for the door. Then she swiveled and stepped back to him. “I’ll tell you something else you don’t know. I’ve never had brandy before.”
    “No?” His eyes widened in feigned surprise. “Yet you handled it so well.”
    “I did, didn’t I?” she said smugly.
    “Good evening, Marianne.” His tone was firm, but his eyes twinkled.
    “Good evening, Thomas.” Once again she started toward the door, and once again she returned to him.
    He heaved a sigh. “What is it now?”
    “I’ve never been kissed, either.” She gazed up at him expectantly.
    “And you’re not going to be kissed now.”
    She waved toward the bookshelves. “They have no doubt been kissed.”
“They who?” He studied her as if she were the one whose sanity was in question. “The books?”
    “Don’t be absurd. Heroines. In the books.” She nodded emphatically. “Many of them have been kissed. And more than once.”
    “Perhaps. But this is not a story and you are not about to be kissed.”
    “As you wish.” She sighed dramatically. “However, if you don’t kiss me, I shall be forced to fling myself at every man I meet in hopes one will take pity on an aging, intelligent bluestocking, and I should think, given your attitude toward your responsibilities, that it would be most irresponsible—”
    “Very well!” He grabbed her shoulders, pulled her close and planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. Then he released her so abruptly she was hard-pressed not to lose her balance. “There.”
    “There?” She glared up at him. “Not precisely what I had in mind.”
    “It shall have to do,” he said haughtily.
    “I’m sure others could do better.”
    “I doubt that.”
    “I don’t. However, you leave me no choice but to find out at the first opportunity.” She grinned. “Actually, I rather like the idea of throwing myself on the mercy of one gentleman after another for however long it should take, although I can’t imagine it should take any time at all––because you did agree that I was attractive . . .  very attractive, you said—until at last some kind soul is willing—”
    “Blast it all, you are an annoying bit of baggage,” Thomas snapped. Again he grabbed her, jerked her closer and planted his lips on hers in a kiss hard and firm.
For a moment, the shock of his touch held her still. His lips were nicely warmed and surprisingly soft and tasted deliciously of brandy. She tilted her head and the pressure of his mouth against hers relaxed.
    One hand slipped from her shoulder to her back and pressed her tighter to him. She rested her hands against his chest. He slanted his mouth over hers and at once she wished this moment would last forever. Her breath met and mingled with his and she marveled at the intimate nature of what she’d always assumed was simple and not at all complicated.
    He pulled away and stared down at her with an odd, cautious look in his eye.
    “Oh, my.” She exhaled a long breath. “That was . . .  that