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rammed itself in his midsection as he began to join her.  He looked down a bit confused and then looked up into cat green eyes that did not look heavy with desire but something else that his brain was too fogged to identify.
    “Don’t you think we should discuss an arrangement before the dénouement my lord?” her voice practically purred.
    Of course, he was an idiot.  No woman of Jessy’s fame and beauty would lay down for any man without a monetary arrangement.  Any woman with any sense would want some security against her future and the possibility of becoming with child.  He thought as fast as his blood depleted brain would allow, hurrying his words in his eagerness to satisfy himself.  He hadn’t been this lacking in sophistication in years!
    “I shall arrange for a good house of course, a generous monthly stipend and enough jewelry to satisfy any woman.  From now on have your milliner bills sent to me.  An exclusive arrangement.  I will be your only protector from now on.”
    “Ah the carte blanche in effect.”  She smiled slowly and with clear satisfaction.
    Sebastian lowered himself toward her feeling nothing but hunger and impatience to plunge himself into her.  Would she feel like she had years ago? 
    But suddenly he found himself falling, possibly tripping? What? To the couch. 
    Jessy had rolled off the couch and now stood smiling down at him where he sprawled inelegantly.  What the deuce was going on here?  As he looked up into her eyes he felt a wave of hot anger wash over him.   He knew that look and it wasn’t the one he was wanting or expecting. The vixen!
    “Oh I know that color my lord.  You are very angry.  Figured it out? You thought I would just fall back into your arms after all that occurred between us, the humiliation you put me through in the past?” She, rather violently, pulled the chemise back up over her breasts, “Once you asked me to be your wife, and now I should take the title of mistress?  You are an arrogant, ridiculous man.  Tidy yourself up sir and let yourself out.”  She turned away and sat down at the vanity before casually looking back over one ivory shoulder, “When I take a lover my lord, it will come with marriage, and one with,” her eyes roved down his body to the bulge still evident through his form fitting trousers, “much larger assets.”
    “I don’t believe you ever once complained about my assets when I used to enjoy that very willing body,” he drawled with a sneer.
    “If you are looking for easy game my lord, you will have to look elsewhere.  I am no longer a little love struck country girl to be toyed with.  London is littered with good looking, wealthy men.  If it was toys I wanted, toys I would have. Please leave as I asked.  I must dress for my engagement with the Duke of Tamworth; we are expected at Lady Scarborough’s ball.”  She had the double pleasure of seeing first the fury at her pointed remarks regarding his manhood and the incredulity at her reference to Tamworth and attendance at the ball of one of Society’s most respected hostesses.
    “Tamworth you say?  I don’t believe it for a minute.”
    “Whether you believe it or not is beside the point, and this particular nobleman’s intentions happen to be honorable. I am a respectable widow in the eyes of the ton regardless of my occupation.  So, you see, my lord, a carte blanche was really not an attractive offer when I can wear a coronet.”  She had never known she could enjoy twisting a knife.  Maybe she had a cruel streak after all.  It was really rather astonishing to hear herself sounding so mercenary and “woman of the world” off the stage. She thought she heard him mutter “Tamworth” again under his breath.
    “Well if you won’t leave like a gentleman would, I will just dress and pretend you are no longer here. That will not be difficult seeing as I haven’t thought of you in years anyway.”  And she proceeded to do exactly that.  She