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unwelcome connection into the open had been a relief. As Randall gazed down at the small fire, one hand braced against the wall above, she was reminded of Greek statues of athletes. No, he had a leaner, rangier build than the Greek ideal, and his blond hair and chiseled features were Nordic. A Viking deity, not one born of the Mediterranean.
    She wondered what he was thinking. Likely he was readjusting his view of her now that he knew who she was, and that she was unsuited to be any man’s wife. If he felt disappointment at her refusal, he’d recover quickly. He could have any woman he wanted. She’d realized that the first time she’d seen him smile.
    He raised his gaze, expression pensive. “There are no certainties in life, Julia. Many healthy young couples are not blessed with children. Fertile couples may have only daughters. The fact that you are barren doesn’t persuade me that I don’t want you for a wife. Will you marry me, Lady Julia Raines?”
    Her jaw dropped from shock. “You really are insane! Children might not interest you now, but that may change in the future.” She shook her head, having trouble believing he was serious. “Even if you don’t care about children, you can’t possibly want to marry a woman who won’t share your bed. Unless you want to marry a duke’s daughter so flawed you have a license for adultery?”
    His brows arched. “Hardly. I agree that if it’s unthinkable that you might ever feel differently, there could be no true marriage. But as you say, things change. I swear that I would cut off my hand rather than hurt you. Try to believe that. With enough trust and enough friendship, perhaps you will overcome your distaste for men.”
    “I’m not sure there is enough trust in the world for that,” she said helplessly.
    Yet as she studied his cool, handsome face, she realized how powerfully she wanted to be different. She would give twenty years of her life to be normal, as happy and uncomplicated as she’d been before she married. At sixteen, she’d yearned for a man’s touch. She’d enjoyed stolen kisses with the dizzy delight of the nubile girl she’d been. God help her, she’d gone to her marriage bed eagerly.
    Wanting to be convinced that she wasn’t insane, she asked, “Even if it’s possible for me to change, how can I marry a near stranger? I don’t even know your given name!”
    “Alexander David Randall.”
    Alexander. She turned the name in her mind. It had edges, like he did. “Does anyone ever call you Alex?”
    “Occasionally. Mostly I’m Randall. Does knowing that make a difference?”
    “Alexander the Conqueror,” she said wryly. “How much of your persistence is to prove that you can win even against impossible odds?”
    “That’s a fair question.” He thought before shaking his head. “My offer isn’t about winning. It’s about being with you. You have some quality I find…soothing.”
    “I’ve been told that I’m soothing by women in labor, but never by a man in the prime of life. As a quality, it’s the opposite of passion, I think.” Yet she liked that he thought of her that way. “You strike me as a passionate man, Major Randall. I still can’t believe that you would be happy in a marriage without physical intimacy.”
    “There would have to be an agreement between us that you are willing to try to change how you feel.” He cocked his head thoughtfully. “If you will grant me permission to touch you, in return I will promise to stop whenever you tell me to.”
    They were venturing into very deep waters here. Remembering how crazed Branford would become when he was aroused, she asked, “Wouldn’t that be difficult? Desire is not easily controlled.”
    “I’m extremely good at control.” There was a glint in his cool blue eyes. “It’s one of my most irritating qualities.”
    That surprised a laugh out of her. “I can see why. I’d say stubbornness is another. Marriage is binding, Major. We can’t just walk away