Sophia had shown great courage coming to Max’s house by herself, although he would wager her maid remained within screaming distance. Not that he meant to make her scream. Not tonight, at any rate, and never from fear. “Then I advise you to let it happen. Is there nothing else that worries you? Your concern is personal?”

She jerked a nod. “I will ensure that my portion is fair, and I would request that I oversee where it’s invested, but I know you can do it as well as I.”

“Yes, that’s true. But I have no objection in you overseeing your own investments. Or in taking an interest in my concerns.”

She brightened, her mouth relaxing. “That’s very enlightened of you.”

“If half of what your father says about your expertise in commerce is true, I’d be a fool to ignore such an asset.” Business was the last thing on his mind, but he understood her concerns. That demand sounded reasonable to him. But not the other.

“Thank you.”

“No doubt we’ll arrange financial matters later, when we meet to sign the contract. So do you wish to discuss the personal aspect now?”

Swallowing, her throat tight, she nodded.

He had to go gently here, but she must know the truth. “I have no intention of staying away from your bedroom.”

He hated the expression that returned now. Tight lips, wide eyes, tiny creases at the corners of her mouth, and her pulse didn’t so much beat as flutter, it was going so fast. But he wouldn’t let her build barriers between their bedrooms. On impulse he reached out and took her hands.

They were cold. When she tugged, he tightened his hold. Before it turned into an undignified tussle, she stopped and let her hands rest passively in his. “Your name is Sophia, is it not? Do you prefer that, or Sophie, or something else?”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”

Then he would choose. “I like your full name. It suits you. You have an innate elegance that I find pleasing. Well, then, Sophia, we are to be close. You will be the mother of my heirs. Of our heirs.” She had a considerable fortune of her own, thanks to her father.

Blinking, she said, “Does it take long to make heirs?”

That naiveté shocked him and forced a laugh out of him. He’d never considered intimate relations with anyone other than ladies of the night or willing widows looking for a dalliance. Certainly not inexperienced women.

Even females paid to act as innocent virgins for the delectation of their clientele weren’t this jumpy. “It takes as long as it takes. Some women fall pregnant the first time, and with others, it takes years.”

He pulled gently on her hands. Silk rustled when she moved closer. This was like taming a wild animal, drawing it closer with kindness. No sudden moves. “The act can be extremely pleasurable.”

“No!” She said it quickly, as if unconsidered. Too fast, a visceral response.

He frowned. Did she know? Should he ask about the incident with John Hayes?

If he did he might receive information he didn’t want to know. Like she was no longer a virgin. Was she in fact fond of the man her father had caught her with?

“Is there someone else you would rather marry?” he asked. “I won’t wed a woman who is thinking of someone else in the marriage bed. I am no man’s substitute.” That, at least, he was sure of.

Vigorously, she shook her head. “No, no, truly.” At least her hands had stopped trembling. “There is no one.”

He’d had enough. He wanted her close, badly. Her scent, the feel of her hands in his, and her charming figure had had its predictable effect on him. While his agile mind tried to process the information, his body was rising to the occasion. He couldn’t reason this need away.

Why had he never noticed her in this way before? Because she had never spoken to him directly, or because she had avoided attracting his attention? He had no idea, but he certainly noticed her now.

When he drew her even closer, she came, so he could release her hands and hold her waist instead. “Put your hands on my shoulders.” Eyes wide—they were brown—she did so. “You will not—”

Whatever she was about to say he muffled with his mouth.

Her lips were soft, with an underlying firmness that pleased him. Although she’d been speaking, when he touched her she clamped her lips together. He was in no mind to force her.

Her body stiffened so much, he felt it under the unforgiving bones of her stays, but he wanted to taste her. Sweet, so sweet, that even a closed-mouth kiss pushed his arousal up another notch.

On Monday, he would have her. Anything else was unthinkable.