Tomorrow, I’m going to do a fun swap.  🙂  Today we have this scene from Christopher’s point of view.  Tomorrow, I’m going to put Dave Larson in Christopher’s place. But, I am not going to let him have Mary take Agatha’s place as he wishes.  He’s going to have to deal with Agatha.  hehe  In a couple more days, I’ll have Dave do a scene from His Abducted Bride, too.

Then I’ll let Gavin and Christopher take a scene from Eye of the Beholder.  This way all three men will get a chance to live in the others’ shoes and I’ll bring them on for an interview to see what they’ll have to say about their “other life”.  I expect this to be a lot of fun.

Seeing that Lady Richfield hadn’t moved from her spot, Christopher made his way over to her and lightly touched her arm, ensuring that no one else noticed.  She inclined her head in his direction but maintained eye contact with the gentleman talking to her and her sister.

“Oh yes,” Lord Thomas said, “I’ve been on an elephant and a camel.”

“But isn’t that dangerous?” her sister asked, her eyes wide and excitement in her voice.

“Of course it is, but I don’t see the point in playing it safe all the time.  A person has to enjoy life to truly live it,” he replied.

“I suspect you’re not the only person who shares that philosophy,” Lady Richfield said, glancing at Christopher.

Christopher’s eyebrows rose.  “I can’t say I’ve ridden an elephant or a camel, but I don’t mind a challenge when it presents itself.”

“Hear, hear!” Lord Thomas nodded in approval.  “Though you ought to try riding them sometime.  They’re magnificent creatures.”

“It sounds like it,” her sister said.  “And impressive.”

“And dangerous,” Lady Richfield muttered under her breath.

“Care to dance?” Lord Thomas asked her sister.

Despite the slight shake of Agatha’s head, her sister accepted and hurried off to dance with him.

Before Lady Richfield could step away from him, Christopher extended his arm and said in a tone loud enough for those around them to overhear, “Thank you for accepting my invitation to dance, my lady.”

She opened her mouth to speak but glanced at those who looked in their direction.  With a sigh, she placed her hand on his arm and let him escort her to the dancing area.  “You have a way of working things to your advantage,” she said, frowning at him.

“You wouldn’t have danced with me otherwise.”

“There are many things I’d say about you, Mister Robinson, but being dull isn’t one of them.”

“I appreciate the compliment.”

She released a loud sigh.  “Is there something you want from me?”

“Yes.  I want you to marry me.”

“I fail to understand you.  I insulted you in front of your friends at Lord Edon’s dinner party.  Do you really enjoy such treatment?”

“It’s no secret that your first marriage left a lot to be desired.”

“Lord Richfield died within twenty-four hours of marrying me.  He did me a favor.”

“Some ladies don’t want their husbands dead,” he teased.

“So you want to marry me so you can be miserable?  Is that the point to all of this?”

“No.  I want to marry you because you’re the most exciting lady I’ve ever met.  You have great passion.  Imagine if you were to turn that passion in my favor?  I sense the heat of your kisses would set the room on fire.”

“You are much too bold.”

“I’m not bold enough.”

Her eyebrows furrowed.  “If you wish to be a rake, you’re free to do so, but you’ll be a gentleman when you’re with me.”

Lowering his voice, he said, “But you don’t need a gentleman.  You don’t even want a gentleman.  You want to be pursued.  You need to be won.”

“Are you comparing me to some animal you need to hunt?”

He laughed and turned with her.  “Hardly.  I don’t desire to make love to an animal.”

“I’m surprised, considering the fact that you’re acting like one.”

“And which one would that be?”

“A wolf.”

“A wolf?  Not a bad choice.  Quick, smart, territorial.  They mate for life, you know?” When she groaned, he grinned.  “I love your quick wit.  I also love your beauty.  You’ll make a marvelous wife once you decide to love your husband.”

She shook her head.  “I will never remarry.”

“Why don’t we go outside?” he said in a soft voice.  “Take a nice stroll, maybe even share a kiss?”

“You may add ‘intelligent’ to the list of things you claim to admire about me, Mister Robinson.  You think I don’t know what a scandal that would be?”

“You can’t blame a gentleman for trying.  We’ll be married either way, but if you insist on prolonging my torture, then so be it.”

“I know I’m going to be sorry I asked, but ‘torture’?”

“My heart won’t be complete until I make you my bride.”

She rolled her eyes.  “I was right.  I’m sorry I asked.” The music came to an end and she curtsied.  “It’s a pleasure to end this dance.”

“Maybe next time we dance, it’ll be between the sheets,” he whispered, knowing it would bother her to no end that he said it.

And he was right.  Her jaw dropped then she narrowed her eyes at him.  What a lady of passion!  He had a feeling that once she fell in love with him, she’d make his life very much worth living.