Naked, he loomed over her, caging her between his strong hands. His eyes gleamed and his hard face was set in the stark lines of masculine arousal.

"I will tell you this once more and once more only," he said as he began the process of removing her clothing. "I have never mistaken you for Elizabeth. Calling you a mad woman was a figure of speech, nothing else. I meant no real insult. But it is imperative that you understand I cannot allow you to seek your own vengeance."

"You cannot stop me, my lord."

"Yes, Sophy," he muttered as he tugged her gown off, "I can and I will. Although I understand very well why you're skeptical on that point. Thus far I have given you little reason to believe me capable of fulfilling all my duties as your husband. You have cut a blazing swath through town, have you not? And poor, blundering creature that I am, I always seem to be following about ten paces behind, desperately trying to catch you. But this mad dashing about is at an end, my dear."

"Are you threatening me, Julian?"

"Not at all. I am merely explaining that you have finally gone too far. But you needn't worry. You have my word that I will do whatever it takes to protect you." He untied the tapes of her pleated cambric chemisette.

"I do not need your protection, my lord. I have learned my lesson well. Husbands and wives of the ton are supposed to go their own ways. You are not to involve yourself in my life, nor I in yours. I have told you I am willing to live by the codes of so-called polite Society."

"That is nonsense and you know it. God knows there is no way I could ignore you, even if I wished to do so." He finished removing the last of her clothing, and paused to sweep the length of her with his heated gaze. "And, my sweet Sophy, I have no wish to ignore you."

She felt the passionate hunger in him and the answering response in herself and knew that he was right. In bed, at least, neither of them could possibly ignore the other. A sudden suspicion came to her as his hand smoothed the curve of her thigh.

"You would not beat me," she said slowly.

"No?" He smiled, a brief, flashing, wickedly male smile that was as sensual as the movements of his hands on her body. "Beating you might be interesting." He gently squeezed her buttock.

Sophy felt herself warming quickly under his touch and shook her head with grave certainty. "No. You are not the type to lose control over your emotions and resort to violence against a woman. I told Lord Waycott as much when he claimed you had beaten your first wife."

Julian's captivating smile vanished. "Sophy, I do not wish to discuss either Waycott or my first wife just now." He lowered his head to close his teeth gently around one taut nipple. His fingertips brushed the tawny fleece below the gentle swell of her stomach.

"But while I am certain you would not use a crop on me," Sophy continued breathlessly as she felt his finger part her with great care, "it occurs to me that you might not be above using other means to… to ensure I do your bidding."

"You may be right," Julian conceded, apparently unconcerned by her logic. He kissed her throat, the curve of her shoulder and finally her lips. He lingered over her mouth a long while until she was moaning softly and clinging to him. Then he raised his head slightly to meet her eyes. "Are you worried about the tactics I might use to convince you to follow my advice, my sweet?"

She glared up at him, struggling to think clearly while her body concentrated only on the pleasure it was receiving at his hands. "Do not think you can control me in this fashion, my lord."

"What fashion?" He slipped two fingers deeply into her and separated those two fingers very slowly, opening her completely.

Sophy gasped and felt herself tighten with excitement. "This fashion."

"Never. I would not presume to believe that I am such a skillful lover that I could actually convince you to abandon all your fine principles for me." He withdrew his fingers with excruciating slowness. "Ah, sweetheart. You flow like warm honey for me."

"Julian?"

"Look at me," he whispered. "Look at how hard and ready I am for you. Did you know that the mere scent of you is enough to arouse me like this? Touch me."

She sighed with longing, unable to resist his sensual plea. When her fingers curled gently around his thick shaft she felt him pulse in reaction. She nuzzled his chest. "I still do not think this is a proper way to settle our differences, my lord."

He sat up and put his hands around her waist. "No more conversation, Sophy. We will talk later." He lifted her up and held her so that she knelt, facing him. "Spread your legs and mount me, sweetheart. Ride me. I will be your stallion and you will be the one who controls the passion in both of us."

Sophy clung to his shoulders, her eyes widening as she adjusted to the new position. She braced herself as she felt his manhood brush her softness. She liked this position, she decided. It was exciting to be on top. "Yes, Julian. Oh, yes, please."

"Take as much or as little as you wish. Take it as quickly or as slowly as you wish. I am at your command."

An exuberant thrill coursed through Sophy as she realized that it was up to her to set the pace. She lowered herself carefully over his thrusting hardness, savoring the slow penetration. She heard his deep, muffled groan of desire and her hands tightened on his shoulders.

"Julian."

"You are so lovely in your passion," he whispered tightly. "Soft and flushed and so willing to give me everything." He covered her throat with damp, warm kisses as she continued to lower herself until he filled her completely.

Sophy waited a moment, letting her body accept him, feeling herself tightening around him. Then, cautiously at first, she began to move.

"Yes, my sweet lady. Oh, God, yes."

She felt Julian swelling within her, felt herself growing unbearably taut. She clutched at him, her nails raking his shoulders and her eyes closed with the delicious tension. She concentrated only on finding the perfect rhythm that would unleash the wild, soaring release. Nothing else mattered in that moment but the joy of taking her own pleasure while she pleasured Julian. She felt infinitely powerful, brimful of a woman's unique strength.

"Tell me of your love, sweetheart. Say the words." Julian's voice was soft and coaxing and urgent. "I need the words. It has been too long since you said them. You give me so much, little one, can you not give me a few simple words? I will treasure them forever."

A tight, hot tingling sensation began to uncoil within Sophy. She was beyond reason, beyond thought, beyond everything but her own emotions. The words he sought were ready on her lips.

"I love you," she whispered. "I love you with all my heart. Julian"

She convulsed softly around him, the small tremors of her climax rippling outward, sweeping her away on a golden tide. In the distance she heard Julian's answering growl of response, felt the sudden rigidity of the bunched muscles in his shoulders and, finally, the shattering power of his own release.

For a moment they hung suspended in a timeless realm where nothing could interfere with the pure intimacy of their union. And then, with a low, satisfied groan, Julian sprawled back onto the pillows, bringing Sophy down across his chest.

"Do not ever again think that I could possibly confuse you with Elizabeth," he said without opening his eyes. "With her there was no peace, no satisfaction and no joy to be found under any circumstances. Not even… never mind. It's no longer important. But believe me when I say she gave nothing of herself. She took everything and then demanded more. But you give yourself so completely, my sweet. It is a special kind of enchantment. I do not think you can even imagine how good it feels to be on the receiving end of your generosity."

It was the most he had ever said on the subject of his first wife. Sophy decided that she did not really want to hear any more. Julian was hers now. They were bound together. And if what she had begun to suspect this past week were true, she even now held a part of him within her.

Sophy stirred, crossed her arms on his chest and looked down at him. "I am sorry I threw the swan at you."

He opened one eye at that and then grinned up at her. "I am certain that in the years ahead there will be other times when you will be obliged to remind me that you do, indeed, possess a woman's temper."

Sophy widened her eyes innocently. "I would not want you to ever grow complacent, my lord."

"I am sure you will save me from such a fate." He laced his fingers through her hair and pulled her face close to his. He took her mouth in a brief, rough lass and then freed her. His eyes grew serious. "Now, then, madam, as we are both in a calmer state of mind, just as I predicted, it is time to conclude the discussion we began earlier."

A great deal of Sophy's languid pleasure vanished as reality returned in a rush. "Julian, there is nothing more to be said on the subject. I must continue with my inquiries."

"No," he said quite gently. "I cannot permit you to do so. It is far too dangerous."

"You cannot stop me."

"I can and I will. I have made my decision. You will return to Ravenwood tomorrow."

"I will not go back to Ravenwood! Shocked and furious, Sophy pushed herself away from him and scrambled to the edge of the bed to retrieve her clothing. Clutching her gown in both hands, she faced him warily. "You tried once before to banish me to the country, my lord. It was not a successful effort then and I warn you it will not be successful this time." Her voice rose. "Do you think I will surrender to your dictates just because of what transpires between us in bed?"