"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."